How to sharpen knives?

[sarraceniac]

My father always used the doorstep. I have a rotary grinder which my late brother-in-law left me. It has a coarse and a fine wheel and the latter is brilliant. Mrs. S. uses a picture of me for stropping.

[rustylady]

Dad always used to use the doorstep. Mine are made of wood so wouldn't work anyway. For knives I use a crossover sharpener made by Kitchen Devil. Easy to use and not too fierce. It's only little and costs around £3. For anything bigger or with one flat surface I use an oilstone - they come in different grades. Take a bit of practice but do work. I also used to use a fine grade one to sharpen my darts.

[piskieinboots]

You can use the edge of your cars window.

What websites have you been visiting

Snowdrop* has a small steel for small areas such as secateurs - but he tells me you can buy purpose-shaped steels for these.

*I'm not allowed sharp things

[HeyWayne]

Although if your neighbours see you doing it then they may call the police........

Not where I grew up.

[Rixy]

For everyday sharpening of my kitchen knives I use a steel, I do however re-edge them about twice a year with a medium fine and then fine oilstone. My garden knives and edged tools are sharpened when needed on a medium fine oilstone.

[HeyWayne]

What websites have you been visiting

I hadn't, but I have now:

Woodlore Bushcraft Tips and Advice for Outdoor Survival - How to Sharpen a Knife

Towards the bottom.

OK, so it's just the final "honing" that you can use it for, but still...

[Headfry]

I was told that the base (unglazed ring) on the bottom of a mug is as good as any sharpening stone.

[geoff]

This company supply things for huntin' shootin' & fishin'. They have several different sharpeners; Attleborough Accessories Attleborough Accessories Norfolk, UK - Hunting Supplies and Equipment

Or give them a ring, I've always found them helpful and patient
They also sell a stainless steel sheath knife with an orange plastic handle, which should be ideal for the allotment The Frost Clipper It's quite cheap, about ten pounds, and has had good reviews on the various bushcraft sites. It's on my birthday present list

[smallblueplanet]

Would love one of this guys handmade rosewood handled pruning knives...

Pocket Knives Made in Sheffield by Little Mester Trevor Ablett