Breathe Life Into Old Blades With This High-Tech Knife Sharpener

Take the components out and put them aside in an orderly fashion -- you don't want to misplace any pieces. The kit will come with all the components needed, so you shouldn't need any extra materials. 

Step 2: Begin assembly

First of all, throughout the assembly, follow the instructions provided. 

The first step is to safely remove the base from its packaging (if any). Use your Stanley knife to do this or a pair of scissors. Next, grab the main knife sharpening assembly, and place it in the recess in the base, as instructed. 

Secure it to the base using the screws provided. These can be tightened by hand, you shouldn't need any extra tools for this step. 

Next, remove any protective coverings from the metal, and test the movement of the main assembly. It should move smoothly. 

Now remove the main knife holder calipers and attach them to the main assembly. The bolts, as before, can be tightened by hand. 

Step 3: Assemble the rod assembly

Next, remove the main rod components from their packaging, if not already completed, and assemble as instructed. They should easily screw onto one another.

Attach to the main assembly, as shown. 

As before, tighten all bolts by hand. Do not overtighten them as the rod attachment bolt is designed to be undone and resecured to change the length of the rod. 

Step 5: Attach the whetstones

This knife sharpening kit comes with various whetstones of increasing hardness. Choose one, and attach the whetstone holder on the wider end of the rod assembly you previously attached to the main body. 

Ensure the rough edge is exposed, not the smooth metal back. The holder is spring-loaded so the whetstone should be held securely.  

Step 6: Insert a blunt knife into the sharpener

Next, grab an old dulled knife. It doesn't really matter what kind. Attach some masking tape to any parts of the blade you don't want sharpened to ensure they do not get accidentally damaged or scratched. 

Secure the knife holder caliper mount on the main assembly to hold it level, as instructed. Then grab the hex-head screwdriver that comes with the kit. 

Use it to adjust the caliper jaws to securely hold the knife in place. 

Tighten the hex screws until the knife is held firmly in the calipers. This is important. 

Step 7: Mark out where you want to sharpen

Next, take a marker pen, and mark out the area you want to sharpen on your blunt knife. 

Next, adjust the whetstone rod to the desired angle using the adjustable scale at the other end of the knife sharpener. 

Step 8: Sharpen the knife

Now, grab the handle on the whetstone holder end of the rod, and begin to move it back and forth over the blade edge, This will now sharpen the blade. 

Move the whetstone up and down the blade until the black marker has disappeared on the blade edge. 

Next, loosen the main knife holder mount's screw, and rotate it to expose the other side of the knife. Repeat the same process as above to sharpen this side of the blade too. 

If needed, replace the whetstone with higher hardness, and repeat the process on both sides of the knife, as before. This will be a matter of trial and error, but continue until the blade edge is as keen as desired. 

The knife should now be super-sharp and, while not recommended to test it, should be akin to a razor blade. It should be sharp enough, for example, to easily cut through a piece of paper or a piece of fruit with little or no resistance. 

Congratulations, your knife is now as good as new!