Since the first stone tools were used centuries ago, man has tried to find the best way to keep cutting edges sharp. As good metal blades were developed in more recent years, knife sharpening became a critical part of tool maintenance. Only with a very sharp blade could our ancestors cut and trim the things they needed to survive from day to day.



Colonial-period residents often created communities around a mill that processed grain and made sure that the village had a blacksmith. Chief among the tasks for many craftsmen was tool sharpening, a practice that has continued today. Those early settlers often used very hard stone to sharpen their blades. In many cases, the stone was round and worked on the same principle as a grist mill, with the stone turning slowly while the individual held a blade against the stone surface.

Today's sharpening equipment has more power than the old foot-driven or water driven wheels. In addition, the electrical sharpening wheels are a great improvement over the whetstone that was used by hand. Modern knives and other tools can be sharpened in much less time, with less effort, because of the modern power sharpener.

For the person who is setting up an efficient home workshop, or the professional who makes his living with tools, a sharpener is an essential piece of equipment. A knife sharpener and/or a blade sharpener from one of several quality suppliers can be a welcome addition to the workshop. For example, the small but efficient bench grinder is excellent for sharpening tools used in woodworking and for gardening/lawn tools as well.

One example of a quality knife and scissor sharpener is the Tormek, a bench-top grinder that uses water in small amounts to reduce heat and friction. When this equipment is purchased, the individual will find a leather strop included. (Some experience craftsmen recommend a paper wheel for honing blade edges.)

Those with some years of experience in craftsmanship that requires blades will urge the shopper to look for versatility in blade sharpening equipment. The sharpener must be large enough and durable enough to handle large blades and some provision must be made for strop and honing blade edges. Buying from a reputable and stable company is important as well, since there may come a time when it is necessary to get replacement parts or service. All these factors are important when purchasing sharpening equipment that can cost several hundred dollars.

Sharpening equipment comes in a wide variety of sizes, from the smaller items used occasionally in the workshop to the largest commercial grinders and specialty sharpening equipment such as drill bits sharpeners. The smaller equipment will work well for the home craftsman and handyman, especially because they are less expensive and quite portable.

Some home handymen prefer to sharpen knives and small blades by hand, using a whetstone. Others opt for the small, electric wheel for their sharpening needs. These wheels are made of very tough abrasive materials that provide years of service. For those just beginning to work with blades and knives in the workshop, several companies provide brochures, manuals and videos that help the amateur become more proficient at keeping those essential blades clean and sharp.