How to Use a Smith's Arkansas Knife Sharpener

Do You Need Oil to Sharpen on an Arkansas Stone?

Natural Arkansas stones are made of novaculite, a dense quartz mineral found in natural rock formations. This stone has tiny pores that slowly shave away steel while refining an edge. Because the rock is porous, it requires lubrication before a knife blade touches the surface.

Using an Arkansas stone dry ruins its cutting performance. When you push steel across dry rock, microscopic metal dust shears off the blade and packs into the pores. This dirty gray paste of oil and shaved steel is known as swarf. When swarf fills the open pores without fluid to carry it away, the stone glazes over. The surface turns slick and shiny, losing the grit (roughness level of the stone) required to cut steel.

A quality honing solution (sharpening oil) solves this by suspending metal shavings. A few drops spread over the stone create a slick barrier that floats the swarf above the stone face. This keeps the abrasive peaks exposed so they cut clean steel with every stroke. You only need four to five drops spread across the stone before you begin.

Always choose a light, non-petroleum honing solution or a food-safe mineral oil. Never use motor oil or vegetable cooking oils. Motor oil is too thick and traps grit, while vegetable oils turn rancid and leave a sticky residue that clogs the rock. For safety, place your stone on a flat counter over a damp washcloth or rubber mat to stop it from sliding.

How Do You Find the Right Sharpening Angle?

The angle you hold between the blade and the stone determines how sharp the knife cuts and how long the edge lasts. Knife makers shape blades with a specific bevel (the angled cutting edge that tapers down to the sharp apex). Your goal on the stone is to match that factory bevel so you sharpen the apex rather than scratching the blade face.

Most folding knives and pocket blades built for EDC (everyday carry pocket knife) use rely on a sturdy 20-degree utility edge per side. A 20-degree bevel provides a tough wedge that handles wood carving and cutting rope without rolling. Kitchen knives often use a steeper 15-degree slicing edge per side for delicate prep. When working with sturdy German high-carbon steel knives, maintaining a consistent 20-degree angle ensures the edge holds up against heavy cutting boards without dulling prematurely.

To find a 20-degree angle by eye, rest the blade on the stone standing straight up at 90 degrees. Tilt the spine halfway down to find 45 degrees. Tilt it halfway down again to reach roughly 22.5 degrees. Drop the spine just a fraction further, and you are resting right at 20 degrees.

You can also use two standard coins to set your hand height. Place the blade flat on the stone and slide two pennies under the spine. Notice the gap, then remove the coins while holding that exact tilt. The real secret is consistency. Lock your wrist and guide the blade with your shoulder and elbow so the knife does not wobble.

How Do You Push the Blade Across the Stone?

Sharpening on a flat Arkansas stone requires an edge-leading stroke, which means pushing the sharp edge into the stone rather than dragging it backward. Pushing forward mimics slicing a paper-thin sliver off the surface of the stone. This motion cuts steel cleanly and prevents a heavy burr (the tiny rough ridge of metal along the edge) from folding over the blade.

Follow these practical steps to push the blade across the stone:

1. Set the heel on the stone: Place the heel of the blade (the part of the edge closest to the handle) flat on the near end of the stone. Tilt the blade to your 20-degree angle, pointing the sharp edge away from your body.
2. Position your hands: Hold the handle firmly with your dominant hand. Place two fingertips of your other hand flat against the blade face near the spine to steady the knife without putting fingers near the edge.
3. Sweep diagonally forward: Push the blade forward along the stone while drawing it smoothly toward you in a single diagonal stroke so every section of the edge touches the rock.
4. Follow the curved belly: When your stroke reaches the curved belly near the front of the blade, lift the knife handle slightly. Raising your hand keeps the curved edge flat against the stone at your steady 20-degree tilt.
5. Lift off cleanly: Finish the stroke just as the tip reaches the far end of the stone. Lift the blade cleanly off the stone without letting the tip roll over the edge, which can round off the point.
6. Maintain light pressure: Use only two to three pounds of downward force, roughly the weight of two medium apples. Heavy pressure gouges the stone and rolls the edge bevel.

When Should You Switch Sides and Polish the Edge?

A blade becomes sharp when both sides of the bevel meet in a clean, microscopic peak. Sharpening only one side leaves the edge uneven. You know it is time to switch sides when you feel a distinct burr (the microscopic wire edge or curved sliver of metal that forms on the opposite side during sharpening).

Follow these steps to balance both sides and polish the edge:

1. Check for the burr: Make 10 to 15 smooth strokes on side one using a medium grit stone (a stone with a roughness level around 600 grit designed to reshape dull metal). Gently brush the pad of your thumb upward from the spine out across the unsharpened side of the blade. If you feel a rough, catching ridge from heel to tip, side one is finished. Never slide your thumb along the length of the blade.
2. Sharpen the second side: Turn the blade over, set your 20-degree angle, and match the exact number of strokes on side two until that rough burr flips over to the first side.
3. Step down your strokes: Reduce your stroke count to five passes per side, then three, two, and single alternating strokes to thin out the wire edge.
4. Switch to a fine stone: Wipe away any gray slurry and switch to a fine Arkansas stone. This dense natural stone removes very little steel and focuses on polishing the edge to razor sharpness.
5. Finish with feather-light passes: Put a fresh drop of honing solution on the fine stone. Make six to eight light alternating passes using only the weight of the blade to buff away grind marks.

How Do You Clean and Store an Arkansas Stone?

Natural novaculite stones can last a lifetime, but only if you remove metal shavings after each sharpening session. If you let dirty oil dry on the stone, steel particles settle deep into the pores and harden.

Follow this care checklist after you finish sharpening:

• Wipe away the slurry: Use a clean shop rag or paper towel to wipe the dark gray swarf off the stone face before the oil dries.
• Flush the pores: Add two fresh drops of honing solution to the stone. Rub the surface firmly with your thumb or a soft nylon brush to lift trapped metal dust, then wipe it clean again.
• Wash and dry the knife: Wash the blade with warm water and soap to remove metal shavings and oil residue. Dry it immediately with a towel. This step is critical for high-carbon or tool steel, which is harder metal that stays sharp longer but requires dry wiping and light oiling to prevent rust spots.
• Inspect for metal buildup: Check the stone under bright light. If you notice dark, shiny spots where metal has bonded to the surface, scrub the stone with warm water, dish soap, and a stiff brush until clean.
• Store in a protective case: Place the stone in a wooden box or fabric storage pouch to keep shop dust off the oiled stone and protect the natural rock from chipping if bumped.

What Should You Look for in a Sharpening Setup?

Putting together a dependable manual sharpening kit makes blade care straightforward and repeatable. When choosing natural stones, focus on grit progression, stone size, and base stability.

A complete sharpening setup should include at least two grit stages. A medium grit natural stone cuts fast enough to reshape a dull cutting edge without removing excess steel. A fine finishing stone provides the smooth surface required to knock off the burr and polish the bevel. For delicate slicing blades, such as high-carbon Japanese chef knife sets that require steep angles, a fine finishing stone creates a refined cutting edge that glides through ingredients without tearing.

Match stone size to the knives you own. A compact four-inch pocket stone slips easily into a pack for field touch-ups on smaller blades. For kitchen knives and larger fixed blades, a bench stone provides the stroke length needed to sharpen the entire edge in one smooth motion. Make sure the stone sits in a molded holder or has non-slip rubber feet to keep it locked in place.

Select a honing solution made specifically for sharpening stones rather than general household oils. Purpose-made honing solutions include rust inhibitors and stone cleaning agents that float steel particles cleanly and wash away with warm water.

1

Smith's HON1 Honing Solution - 4oz Bottle - Lubricate Sharpening

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Lubricant Formulation

Uses a non-petroleum base with built-in cleaning agents and rust inhibitors to float metal particles off natural stones.

Stone Surface Compatibility

• Natural Arkansas whetstones
• Monocrystalline diamond stones
• General sharpening stones

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Formulated with built-in stone cleaning agents to stop shaved steel from bonding to stone pores
• Non-petroleum base allows safe lubrication across both natural Arkansas and diamond stones
• Contains rust corrosion inhibitors to protect steel tool edges during wet sharpening
• Squeeze bottle features a 4-ounce flip-top cap for controlled application without messy spills

Cons

• Liquid lubricant only, so sharpening still requires a separate stone or abrasive bench tool
• Plastic bottle lacks visible volume measurement markings along the sidewall

2

Smith’s 51446 Diamond Retractable Sharpener – Gold – Reversible Rod

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Rod Profile

Features a reversible steel rod with a tapered profile for serrations and a half-round flat profile for straight blades.

Portability Profile

5.25-inch pen-style aluminum body with clip

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Reversible steel rod includes a tapered side for serrated edges and a half-round side for straight edges
• Integrated sharpening groove allows targeted touch-ups on fishing hooks
• Retractable rod stores completely inside the aluminum housing to match the footprint of an everyday pen
• Aluminum pocket clip keeps the tool secured in pockets or pack webbing for quick field access

Cons

• Narrow rod surface requires careful manual angle control without the stability of a bench stone base
• Diamond grit rating is not listed by the manufacturer, requiring verification for precise polishing

3

Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener - Yellow - 2-Step Preset

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Sharpening Stages

• Coarse crossed tungsten carbide blades
• Fine crossed ceramic finishing rods

Buoyancy

Floats in water for fishing or marine use

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Preset crossed tungsten carbide blades reset blunt blade bevels in three to four pulls
• Crossed ceramic rods provide a secondary fine stage to deburr and hone working edges
• Lightweight housing weighs under 2 ounces and floats in water if dropped from a boat or dock
• Non-slip rubber feet provide grip on flat surfaces while a lanyard hole supports gear tethering

Cons

• Preset sharpening angles cannot be customized for specialized Japanese or outdoor blade geometries
• Fast carbide cutting slots peel away more steel per pass than a fine natural Arkansas stone

4

Smith's PP1 Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener Preset Carbide & Ceramic

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Multi-Tool Abrasives

• Coarse carbide pull-through slot
• Fine ceramic finishing slot
• Fold-out tapered diamond rod

Maintenance Hardware

Carbide cutters and ceramic stones are reversible and replaceable when worn over time.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Features both pull-through preset slots and a fold-out tapered diamond rod for serrated edges and gut hooks
• Reversible and replaceable carbide blades and ceramic stones extend the operational life of the unit
• Compact 3.5-inch composite body weighs only 1 ounce and includes a lanyard hole for carry
• Backed by a 3-year limited warranty from the manufacturer

Cons

• Pull-through carbide slot is limited to straight edges and will damage serrated blades if misapplied
• Fixed sharpening angles do not allow freehand bevel adjustment on varied utility blades

5

Smith's MP4L Arkansas Stone – 4 Inch – Medium 600

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Grit and Stone Grade

Natural Arkansas stone at medium 600 grit

Carry System

Includes a fabric storage pouch with a fold-over closure flap and a built-in belt loop for transport.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Natural medium 600 grit Arkansas stone cuts steel gently while smoothing the cutting edge
• Functions on both large and small straight-edge blades without removing excessive blade metal
• Included fabric storage pouch features a fold-over flap and an integrated belt loop for field carry
• Compact 4-inch by 1-inch dimensions fit easily into tackle boxes, tool rolls, or camp kits

Cons

• Requires dedicated honing oil to prevent shaved metal swarf from clogging the porous stone surface
• Compact 4-inch length requires shorter strokes when sharpening long kitchen chef knives

6

KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener, Black, Coarse &

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Countertop Positioning

Base features a V-groove that rests against counter edges to prevent blade tips from dragging.

Edge Compatibility

Carbide for straight blades; ceramic for serrated

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Patented V-shaped edge grip rests over countertop edges so long knife tips do not drag across counters
• Two-stage design pairs coarse tungsten carbide slots for dull knives with fine ceramic rods for touch-ups
• Ceramic slot accommodates both straight-edge knives and serrated kitchen blades
• Compact frame features a non-slip base and a soft-grip rubber handle for steady counter placement

Cons

• Preset bevel angles cannot be adjusted for blades ground outside standard factory kitchen angles
• Aggressive carbide cutters shave blade metal faster than natural manual whetstones

7

Smith’s SK2 2 Stone Sharpening Kit – 5” Medium +

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Kit Components

• 5-inch medium Arkansas stone
• 4-inch fine Arkansas stone
• Sharpening angle guide
• Honing oil bottle

Angle Consistency

Includes a dedicated angle guide designed to teach first-time users proper blade orientation.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Includes both a 5-inch medium Arkansas stone and a 4-inch fine Arkansas stone for complete edge restoration
• Packaged with dedicated honing oil to lubricate stones and prevent swarf buildup during passes
• Comes with a sharpening angle guide to assist beginners in maintaining the correct blade tilt
• Mounted in a molded non-slip base that secures the stones firmly during two-handed sharpening

Cons

• Manual benchtop setup requires hands-on angle discipline once the knife moves past the included guide
• Total kit package weighs 2.65 kilograms, making it bulkier to pack than pocket sharpeners

8

Smith’s 50000 V-Slot Knife & Scissor Sharpener – Straight Blade

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Scissor Mechanism

Handle contains a patented floating ceramic rod that automatically conforms to scissor bevel angles.

Hand Protection

Full-length finger and thumb safety guard

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Integrated scissor sharpening slot features a floating ceramic rod that adjusts to blade bevel angles
• Accommodates both left-handed and right-handed shears and household scissors in the handle slot
• Pull-over knife sharpening head uses reversible and replaceable carbide blades for longer service life
• Built-in full-length finger and thumb guard protects hand placement while drawing the tool across blades

Cons

• Carbide blades remove distinct metal ribbons, making it unsuitable for fine Japanese or thin cutlery edges
• Single preset slot geometry cannot sharpen serrated bread knives or irregular gut hooks

Last update on 2026-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

FAQs

Can You Use Water Instead of Honing Oil on an Arkansas Stone?

Water can work as a temporary lubricant on an Arkansas stone, but it evaporates quickly and does not float heavy steel particles as effectively as oil. Once an Arkansas stone absorbs oil, you cannot switch back to water because residual oil repels water from the surface pores. Using a dedicated non-petroleum honing solution keeps the stone cutting cleanly and prevents metal shavings from clogging the rock.

Why Does My Knife Feel Duller After Sharpening?

A blade usually feels duller after sharpening because your hand angle shifted during the stroke, rounding off the delicate apex. Another common cause is failing to remove the burr from the edge before you finish. If you do not make light alternating strokes to remove that thin wire edge, the metal folds over during your first cut and leaves the blade feeling blunt.

How Many Strokes Does It Take to Sharpen a Dull Blade?

Sharpening a blade with normal everyday dullness usually takes 10 to 20 strokes per side on a medium stone to form a burr, followed by 5 to 10 light strokes on a fine stone. Extremely dull blades or harder tool steels may require extra passes to reshape the bevel. The key is working until you feel a burr across the entire edge rather than counting an exact number of strokes.

Can an Arkansas Stone Fix a Heavily Chipped Knife Edge?

Natural Arkansas stones are made for edge maintenance, honing, and polishing rather than heavy steel removal. Because natural novaculite cuts steel slowly and gently, grinding out a deep nick on an Arkansas stone requires hours of tedious work. For deep chips or broken tips, reshape the blade on a coarse diamond stone before finishing the bevel on your Arkansas stone.