Sharpening a blade

[Mortblanc]

It is a combination of stone one is using, skill at the operation and the knife being used.

Scandi grinds are the easiest for the beginner to accomplish. That is why they are so popular with bushcrafters. A scandi grind will take a good edge with even primitive stones and using good diamond homes or Arkansas stones one can achieve a razor edge in short order.

A machette needs nothing more than a good file to take out nicks and repair folded edges.

There are hundreds of clips, vids and blogs, along with over 100 years of published instructions in the Boy Scout Handbook.

It is a learned skill and what it boils down too is that one gets it or they don't.

Once you "get it" the skill is set and you can repeat it eternally, knowing that if things are not working it is the fault of the blade and not the stones or the user.