“The finest edge is made with the blunt whetstone.” — John Lyly

During my recent trip to Japan, I was thinking of buying a new santoku knife. While checking out the selections, I stumbled upon a demonstration showing how to use a whetstone.

Aside: I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I was 62 years old when I found out the thing was not called a: wet stone.

Here is a short video demonstration.

Impressed with the whole meditative process of sharpening knives this way, I purchased an inexpensive one on my return to Australia.

The stone I purchased came with a little clip that ensures the knife is at the right angle against the stone which is crucial.

Cutting and food prep with a set of knives that is surgically sharp is a game changer. Now, every couple of weeks I pull out the whetstone and mindfully work my way through the knife block.

Infinetely better than the old pull-through device I was using before… and there is something ageless and Game of Thrones-ish about the whole sharpening process.

Highly recommend.

PS: file this away as a great idea for a birthday gift methinks.