Maintaining the Edge: A Practical Guide to Knife Sharpening
By Juan Arango
Former Colombian Army Infantry Officer | 7+ Years Combat Experience
Last Updated: February 2026
Quick Answer: Sharp knives are safer and more effective than dull ones. For tactical and EDC knives, sharpen at a 20-degree angle using a diamond or ceramic stone. Test sharpness with the paper test, and strop regularly to maintain the edge between full sharpenings.
In the field, your gear is an extension of your capability. Based on seven years as a Colombian Army Infantry Officer, I learned that a dull blade is more than an inconvenience—it's a safety risk. A dull knife requires excessive force, increasing the chance of slipping and causing injury. A sharp blade cuts predictably with minimal pressure, giving you control when it matters most. At SFT Gear, we offer knives like TOPS that are built for hard use with high-carbon steel. But even the best steel requires proper maintenance to remain a dependable tool for the Prepared & Practical Everyday Carrier.
Why Sharpening Matters
Safety: Sharp knives require less force and give you better control
Efficiency:Clean cuts preserve materials and save time
Longevity: Proper maintenance extends blade life by years
Readiness: A maintained edge is ready when you need it Your $180 tactical knife is an investment. Sharpening protects that investment and ensures it performs when called upon.
How to Actually Sharpen Your Knife
Sharpening is a fundamental skill for anyone prioritizing readiness. Follow this proven process:
1. Select Your Abrasive
For high-carbon tactical steels, use:
- Diamond stones: Aggressive, fast cutting, ideal for reshaping damaged edges
- Ceramic stones: Smooth, consistent, excellent for regular maintenance
- Whetstones: Traditional choice, requires water or oil
Our recommendation: Start with a dual-grit diamond stone (coarse/fine) for versatility.
2. Set the Angle
Most tactical and outdoor knives perform best at a 20-degree angle per side. This provides a "toothy" edge that bites into material while maintaining durability for heavy tasks like batoning, prying, and field use.
Angle guide:
- 15-17 degrees: Kitchen knives, precision work
- 20 degrees: EDC, tactical, outdoor knives (recommended)
- 25+ degrees: Heavy-duty chopping, machetes
Tip: Use the Sharpie trick to verify your angle:
1. Color the edge bevel with a black marker
2. Take one stroke on your stone
3. Check marker removal:
- Removed only at very edge = angle too steep
- Removed only at top of bevel = angle too shallow
- Removed evenly across bevel = correct angle ✓
3. Establish a Burr
What is a burr? A slight curl of metal that forms on the opposite side of the edge when you've reached the apex.
How to create it:
1. Place blade on stone at your chosen angle
2. Stroke from heel to tip with moderate pressure
3. Maintain consistent angle throughout stroke
4. Repeat 10-15 times (or until burr forms)
5. Feel for burr on opposite side with your thumb (carefully)
The burr tells you you've sharpened the entire edge to the apex. Without it, you're just polishing the existing angle.
4. Flip and Repeat
Switch sides and repeat the process until the burr forms uniformly on the other side.
Key: Match your stroke count on both sides for even edge geometry.
5. Refine and Strop
Refining:
- Switch to finer grit stone
- Lighten pressure for final 5-10 strokes per side
- This minimizes the burr while refining the edge
Stropping:
- Use leather strop (plain or with compound)
- Stroke backward (spine-first) to realign the edge
- 10-15 strokes per side
- This removes any remaining burr and polishes the edge
Result: A sharp, refined edge ready for immediate use. ---
Field Sharpening: When You Can't Access a Full Kit
In the field, you won't always have a bench stone and strop. Here's the practical approach:
Carry:
- Small ceramic rod or pocket stone
- Fits in cargo pocket or pack
- Sufficient for touch-ups
Technique:
- Same 20-degree angle
- Focus on the edge only
- 5-10 strokes per side
- Strop on leather belt if needed
Reality check: Field sharpening maintains an edge; it doesn't restore a damaged one. Do your primary sharpening at home.
Testing Your Edge
Paper Test (Recommended):
- Hold sheet of paper vertically
- Slice downward through paper
- Sharp knife cuts cleanly with minimal pressure
- Dull knife tears or requires sawing motion
Shaving Test:
- Carefully shave arm hair
- Sharp edge cuts hair easily
- Use caution—this tests razor sharpness
Thumbnail Test:
- Place edge on thumbnail at slight angle
- Sharp edge "bites" and holds
- Dull edge slides across nail
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Sharpen when your knife no longer performs its intended task easily or requires excessive force.
Quick test: Try the paper test. If the knife tears rather than slices cleanly, it's time to sharpen.
For EDC users: Touch up weekly with a strop. Full sharpening every 1-3 months depending on use.
-
Strop: After every heavy use session, or once weekly for regular EDC
Sharpen: Only when stropping no longer restores cutting performance This conservative approach preserves blade life. Excessive sharpening removes more steel than necessary.
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The technique remains the same, but harder steels require: - More patience (harder steel takes longer to sharpen) - Better abrasives (diamond or ceramic for high-carbon tactical steels) - Consistent angle (harder steels are less forgiving of angle variation)
-
Yes, but it's difficult with proper technique:
- Inconsistent angles: Creates uneven, weak edge
- Too much pressure: Can chip the edge or damage stone
- Wrong abrasive: Too coarse can scratch blade unnecessarily
Solution: Practice on a cheaper knife first. Once you feel the burr formation and understand the motion, move to your quality blades.
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Serrated edges require specialized tools (tapered ceramic rods).
Our advice: If your knife has partial serration, sharpen the plain edge normally and leave serrations alone unless severely damaged. Serrations maintain cutting ability longer than plain edges.
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Short answer: We don't recommend them for quality tactical knives.
Why: Pull-through sharpeners: - Remove excessive steel - Create inconsistent angles - Can damage tip geometry - Shorten blade life significantly
Exception: In emergency field situations, a quality pull-through is better than nothing. But for home maintenance, use stones.
Sharpening Schedule for EDC & Tactical Knives
Daily carriers:
- Strop: Weekly
- Light sharpening: Monthly
- Full sharpening: Every 3 months
Occasional use:
- Strop: After each use
- Sharpening: As needed (paper test fails)
Heavy field use:
- Strop: After each session
- Touch-up: Weekly during heavy use periods
- Full sharpening: Monthly or as needed
Recommended Sharpening Setup
Beginner (under $50):
- Dual-grit diamond stone (coarse/fine)
- Leather strop
- Honing oil or water
Intermediate ($50-150):
- Diamond stone set (coarse, medium, fine)
- Leather strop with compound
- Angle guide (optional training aid)
- Ceramic rod for field use
Advanced ($150+):
- Complete stone progression
- Multiple strops
- Dedicated sharpening station
- Portable field kit
The Bottom Line: Maintain Your Investment
A $180 TOPS knife can last decades with proper care. A $20 gas station knife might last months.
The difference isn't just the steel—it's the maintenance.
Sharpening is a skill that pays dividends:
- Safety: Sharp blades are safer blades
- Performance: Tools that work when needed
- Economy: One quality knife outlasts ten cheap ones
- Readiness: Confidence in your equipment
Take 15 minutes monthly to maintain your edge. Your knife—and your safety—will thank you.
Related Resources
- Knife Blade Shapes Guide: Understand which blade shape fits your needs
- Shop all knives: Browse our curated tactical knife selection
- Complete Tactical Gear: Build your EDC setup
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Questions about knife maintenance?
Email juan@sftgear.com - I respond personally to every message.