Different methods for Sharpening Your Hunting Knife

How many of you believe that a sharp hunting knife is more harmful than the dull one?

Well, it is high time to realize that a dull knife is a way more dangerous.

When you know that the knife is dull, it means you are going to apply more pressure operating it leading to greater chances of slippages and nasty accidents.

If you are really serious about your hunting, before you pack your bag for your next weekend trip, you really need to alot some time to ensure your knife is good and sharp, ready for when you need it.

Some of you may say that you can never seem to get it right yourself and you don’t have the time to take it into a professional knife sharpener…

Methods to sharpen a hunting knife:

Here we are going to talk about the different methods you can use to sharpen your hunting knife. There is no need to go to the professionals; you can do it yourself at home by following a fairly simple process.

Moreover, there are different techniques to sharpen a hunting knife. Have a read through and pick one of the following, perhaps you already have some of the equipment listed below.

• Oil Stones:

They are called oil stones because honing oil is necessary for the lubrication of the stone and for collecting / removing all the metal shavings.

Many people also say that the process can go well with water or even nothing at all. However, you can add some oil for enhanced performance. In fact, using lubricant ensure enhanced slippery function so that you need not put additional pressure on when honing your hunting knife.

Usually, experts recommend using coarse grit for sharpening really dull knives, whereas fine grit is good for polishing a sharper one.

• Sharpening Rod:

If you have a hunting knife with a serrated blade, you may need to use a sharpening rod to achieve desired sharpness. This method also works well for a gut hook knife.

You can choose a pocket sharpener so that you can carry it everywhere with you. You’ll find that the internet is loaded with many multi-functional ones these days, and they are pretty easy to use.

• Diamond Stone:

It is quite different to a regular wet / oil stone; however, here also you need to use water or oil to sharpen your knives. The diamond stones are available in a variety of grit and size ranges.

Although diamond stones eat more metal during the sharpening process, it also promises efficient results. It is recommended that you maintain a shallow angle for sharpening your hunting knife when using a diamond stone.

Note that these stones are very expensive, but the best part is that they have a longer lifetime.

• Ceramic Stones:

Great for honing an edge that is already decent but not that effective for knives that have a really blunt edge.

In case if you have a limited budget, ceramic stones can be a better choice but make sure you sharpen your knife regularly to maintain its performance.

You can choose any of these methods to sharpen your hunting knife now. Some of the most preferred grit ranges for these stones are 8000 grit, 3000 grit, 2000 grit, 1000 grit, 300 grit and 200 grit.

If you want a bit more information about techniques, particularly with wet stones (the most common method), check out this How to sharpen a hunting knife guide!