Why Your Knife Isn't Sharp (And How to Fix It)
Published: 6 days ago
Learn how to sharpen pocket knives razor sharp using diamond stones with proper sharpening angles, stroke mechanics, burr removal, and leather stropping.
Most people don’t dull their knives by using them—they dull them by trying to sharpen them with rounded tips, scratched flats, and inconsistent bevel angles. In this video, we break down why your knife isn't sharp and the step-by-step method to fix it using dual-grit diamond plates and a leather strop.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – The Mistake That Ruins Knife Blades
00:20 – Diamond Bench Stones vs Arkansas Oil Stones
01:46 – How to Use an Angle Guide (Finding the 20° Sweet Spot)
02:51 – Proper Stroke Mechanics & Preventing Rounded Tips
03:55 – Apexing the Bevel & Feeling for the Burr
06:06 – Refining the Edge on the Fine Grit Diamond Stone
10:18 – Leather Stropping & Burr Removal for Razor Sharpness
12:47 – Paper Cut Test & Final Results
????️ Gear & Tools Featured in This Video
Sharpal 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Stone (325 Coarse / 1200 Extra Fine)
Pyramid Sharpening Angle Guide (14°, 17°, 20°, 25°)
Leather Strop with Green Chromium Oxide Polishing Compound
???? Community Question
Which blade shape do you find trickiest to sharpen freehand—clip points, Wharncliffes, recurves, or small pen blades? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
If you enjoyed the walkthrough and love traditional slipjoints and workbench skills, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more pocket knife masterclasses.
http://www.youtube.com/@SlipjointSawyer
JOIN THE KNIFE COLLECTING COMMUNITY:
Slipjoint Sanitarium Knife Forum - https://discord.gg/sgdsWD87Pu
???? RELATED VIDEOS YOU'LL LOVE:
• https://youtu.be/6WEGfM9Fxd4
• https://youtu.be/sH46v95seIs
• https://youtu.be/MgFTh9JJSpM
• https://youtu.be/dajBlaWoOHU
???? WHERE TO BUY (Affiliate Links):
• Heinnie Haynes Affiliate link - https://tidd.ly/42wcqWF
• Moonraker Knives - https://www.moonrakerknives.co.uk/
• Brigantian Vintage Knives https://www.brigantian-vintage-pocketknives.co.uk/
• 10% Off at https://rosecraftblades.com/ with code Slippy10
• 10% off with code SLIPPY10 https://www.twistedassisted.co.uk/
• USA Traditional Pocket Knives - https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com/
• Rhoose Point Remedies, Outstanding wood restoration products! Affiliate link - https://rhoosepointremedies.com/product-category/wood-treatments/?wpam_id=15
• 10% off https://www.wubenlight.com/?ref=aofsfnod with code Slippy10 -
• 10% off https://www.viperade.com/ with code Slippy10 -
• 15% off https://shiresupply.com with code SlipjointSawyer15
???? BUSINESS ENQUIRIES:
Email - Slipjointsawyer@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/slipjointsawyer?igsh=aWttYWt0dGE0ZHA4
DISCLAIMER: Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to keep making honest reviews. I only recommend products I've personally tested and believe in.
© 2026 Slipjoint Sawyer. All rights reserved.
Most people don’t dull their knives by using them—they dull them by trying to sharpen them with rounded tips, scratched flats, and inconsistent bevel angles. In this video, we break down why your knife isn't sharp and the step-by-step method to fix it using dual-grit diamond plates and a leather strop.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – The Mistake That Ruins Knife Blades
00:20 – Diamond Bench Stones vs Arkansas Oil Stones
01:46 – How to Use an Angle Guide (Finding the 20° Sweet Spot)
02:51 – Proper Stroke Mechanics & Preventing Rounded Tips
03:55 – Apexing the Bevel & Feeling for the Burr
06:06 – Refining the Edge on the Fine Grit Diamond Stone
10:18 – Leather Stropping & Burr Removal for Razor Sharpness
12:47 – Paper Cut Test & Final Results
????️ Gear & Tools Featured in This Video
Sharpal 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Stone (325 Coarse / 1200 Extra Fine)
Pyramid Sharpening Angle Guide (14°, 17°, 20°, 25°)
Leather Strop with Green Chromium Oxide Polishing Compound
???? Community Question
Which blade shape do you find trickiest to sharpen freehand—clip points, Wharncliffes, recurves, or small pen blades? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
If you enjoyed the walkthrough and love traditional slipjoints and workbench skills, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more pocket knife masterclasses.
http://www.youtube.com/@SlipjointSawyer
JOIN THE KNIFE COLLECTING COMMUNITY:
Slipjoint Sanitarium Knife Forum - https://discord.gg/sgdsWD87Pu
???? RELATED VIDEOS YOU'LL LOVE:
• https://youtu.be/6WEGfM9Fxd4
• https://youtu.be/sH46v95seIs
• https://youtu.be/MgFTh9JJSpM
• https://youtu.be/dajBlaWoOHU
???? WHERE TO BUY (Affiliate Links):
• Heinnie Haynes Affiliate link - https://tidd.ly/42wcqWF
• Moonraker Knives - https://www.moonrakerknives.co.uk/
• Brigantian Vintage Knives https://www.brigantian-vintage-pocketknives.co.uk/
• 10% Off at https://rosecraftblades.com/ with code Slippy10
• 10% off with code SLIPPY10 https://www.twistedassisted.co.uk/
• USA Traditional Pocket Knives - https://www.traditionalpocketknives.com/
• Rhoose Point Remedies, Outstanding wood restoration products! Affiliate link - https://rhoosepointremedies.com/product-category/wood-treatments/?wpam_id=15
• 10% off https://www.wubenlight.com/?ref=aofsfnod with code Slippy10 -
• 10% off https://www.viperade.com/ with code Slippy10 -
• 15% off https://shiresupply.com with code SlipjointSawyer15
???? BUSINESS ENQUIRIES:
Email - Slipjointsawyer@gmail.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/slipjointsawyer?igsh=aWttYWt0dGE0ZHA4
DISCLAIMER: Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to keep making honest reviews. I only recommend products I've personally tested and believe in.
© 2026 Slipjoint Sawyer. All rights reserved.