Basic Knife Sharpening Instructions

Getting Started

While the angle settings and vise styles vary across Wicked Edge's sharpener models, the process of sharpening is universal.

Before you begin, you'll want to become familiar with how to operate your vise as well as the basic anatomy of your blade. For more information on how to operate either your Standard or DualCam© Vise, head over to this article.

Step 1: 

Rest your knife's spine on the prongs of the Depth Key or the shelf in your DualCam© Vise with the start of the belly aligned with the backside of the vise. If your blade is 1" or shorter from spine to edge, use the top Depth Key holes. If your blade is taller than 1" from spine to edge, use the bottom Depth Key holes or shelf. 

Step 2:

Use the Marker Method to find your knife's angle and sweet spot. Check out this article and the video below to see how to use this method. The technique for finding your angle and sweet spot is the same in every Wicked Edge Sharpener.

Step 3:

Use your Indexing Tools to record the knife's position. Record where the tip of the knife falls on your Alignment Guide, the depth setting, and the angles on each side. This will allow you to clamp the knife in the same position when doing touch-ups.

Step 4: 

Recolor the bevel in with a marker. Using alternating, edge leading (down and away) strokes until all of the marker is removed from the bevel. Once all the marker is removed from both sides it's time to start forming a burr.

Here is a video with some more information about the edge leading stroke.

Step 5:

To form a burr, do 10 edge leading strokes on one side. Check the opposite side for a burr. If you don't feel one or it's not down the entire length of the blade, switch to the other side and do 10 additional edge leading strokes. Continue this process until you feel a burr down the entire length of the edge. Once you feel it on one side, repeat the process on the opposite side.

If you'd like additional information on forming a burr and why it's the most important part of achieving a sharp edge, check out this article.

Step 6:

Once a burr has been completely formed on both sides of the knife, move to your next highest grit and continue with alternating, edge leading strokes. You'll do about 15 passes down the length of the blade, per grit. As you get more comfortable with your sharpener and technique, you'll start to feel and hear when it's time to switch grits. 

Step 7:

Once you've reached your preferred stopping point, carefully remove your knife and clean it with a paper towel and isopropyl rubbing alcohol. To determine the best stopping point for your knife, check out this article.

How to Do Touch-Ups:

The major benefit of owning a Wicked Edge is that touch-us to your knife can take as little as 30 seconds with minimal metal removal. Simply place your knife back in the same position you recorded with the Indexing Tools and do 15 alternating, edge leading passes down each side of your blade with the same grit you finished sharpening with. For example, if you finished with 1000 grit the last time you sharpened your knife, start with 1000 grit for the touch-up. You don't need to recreate the burr unless you're unhappy with the sharpness after the retouch or you're fixing damage from usage. 

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