A 'How to' guide to sharpening a knife the traditional way.

[PSBurton]

Great advice. I have some water stones and an old Arkansas stone for polishing. For a long time I could get the blade sharp and very bright, but to my frustration it was never shaving sharp. The step I was skipping was the strop - for me that last few passes on an old belt is what has made the difference between a knife or axe that looks good and one that will pop the hair off your arm

[Ghiciu]

I think the most important thing when sharpening a knife is the angle ... angled approx 30 degrees.