1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Saltwater Fishing

Sharpen a Filet Knife

By Ron Brooks, About.com

Everyone needs a sharp edge when cleaning fish. Here is a simples set ofinstructions for sharpening that filet knife
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Place a few drops of knife honing oil on a fine sharpening stone. Water will do as a substitute.
  2. Place the stone on a flat surface with the narrow side at the top and away from you.
  3. Hold the stone by the edges with one hand and place the knife on the stone with the sharp edge facing away from you at a 23 degree angle to the stone.
  4. Draw the knife across the stone and away from you as if you were trying to slice off a thin sliver of the stone. Do this about 5 times.
  5. Now place the knife on the stone at the top of the stone with the sharp edge facing you. Again, this is at a 23 degree angle.
  6. Draw the knife toward you and across the stone. Again, pretend you are slicing off a thin piece of the stone. Do this about 5 times.
  7. Repeat steps 4 and 6 alternately drawing the knife the same number of times on each side of the blade.
  8. Finish by alternating the blade sides every other draw two times.

Tips:

  1. A good knife will only require two or three draws

Explore Saltwater Fishing

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Saltwater Fishing
  4. Fishing Methods and Types
  5. How To Fish
  6. Sharpen a Filet Knife>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.