How to Sharpen a Knife Using a Whetstone

[2trapper]

Dear all,
I'm collecting information about sharpening using a whetstone. I'm not worried about the technique, there are a lot of videos on Youtube, but I have some problems in understanding the grain. Expecially I'd like to know from which grain to which grain the sharpening proceed. Any help, please?

 

[Retired Member southey]

from low numbers to high, like 250(if very uneven grind or heavy damage) then 800(if chipped) then 1200(normal sharpening) then 6000(polish touch up)

 

[Fat Rog]

Start with the smaller number and then move to the higher, so if for example you have a 2000 and a 4000 grain, start with the 2000 then move tom 4000. The Grain (or grit) relates to the amount of grains per square inch, the more grains you have the finer the finish it will give. It's the same with sandpaper/ emery cloth etc.

 

[Perrari]

As Southey said , start with low numbers up to high numbers, then strop on leather for a final polish.

from low numbers to high, like 250(if very uneven grind or heavy damage) then 800(if chipped) then 1200(normal sharpening) then 6000(polish touch up)

 

[2trapper]

Thank you to all. Just two additional questions:

1) any advice for the brand or seller?
2) If I understand well I must start from 250 to 6000 if the blade is in very bad condition, but for a "normal " sharpening I must start from the range 1000-1200 to 6000 plus leather strop for finishing. is it correct?

 

[tartanferret]

Dunno if this has been mentioned here before?..

If you want to finish with a ceramic stone for fine sharpening but don't have one?

Turn a mug upside down. Look for the mugs that are worn. ( where the glaze has worn away) Does the same thing apparently, I tested it with a cheap fruit knife and it seemed to work.

 

[mountainm]

Dunno if this has been mentioned here before?..

If you want to finish with a ceramic stone for fine sharpening but don't have one?

Turn a mug upside down. Look for the mugs that are worn. ( where the glaze has worn away) Does the same thing apparently, I tested it with a cheap fruit knife and it seemed to work.

Car window edge does the same.

 

[tartanferret]

Car window edge does the same.

Haha I was gonna mention Uncle Ray's sharpening tech, If it was one one my friends, the glass would shatter

 

[EZ-now]

6000 isn't particularly fine. I use a natural stone that has a 9000 grain. If you stay on top of your blade and sharpen it every time you use it it'll stay sweet for years.
My current stone is Japanese and quite soft so I use it very lightly to prevent dishing. Even so it has to be flattened every couple of months and I only get about a year out of each stone. That's the cost of carrying it whenever I'm out though.
Basically you should aim to get your blade there and keep it there. And I wouldn't recommend stropping unless your blade is cutting light duty.