How to sharpen a blade in the field
  • 1. What is the primary purpose of sharpening a blade in the field?
A) Adding weight
B) Maintaining cutting efficiency
C) Increasing its value
D) Making it look new
  • 2. Which of these is NOT a common field sharpening tool?
A) Diamond hone
B) Bench grinder
C) Ceramic rod
D) Pocket stone
  • 3. What angle is generally recommended for a general-purpose knife edge?
A) 70-75 degrees
B) 5-10 degrees
C) 20-25 degrees
D) 45-50 degrees
  • 4. What is the first step in sharpening with a whetstone or pocket stone?
A) Apply pressure
B) Find the burr
C) Start with the finest grit
D) Lubricate the stone
  • 5. What does 'creating a burr' refer to in sharpening?
A) A smooth, polished edge
B) A thin wire edge formed on the opposite side
C) A rough patch on the stone
D) A chipped section of the blade
  • 6. How do you remove the burr?
A) Scraping it off
B) Alternating strokes, lighter pressure
C) Heavy pressure on one side
D) Ignoring it
  • 7. What is the primary benefit of using a strop?
A) Polishing the edge
B) Strengthening the blade
C) Sharpening the edge
D) Removing rust
  • 8. When using a sharpening steel, what is the correct motion?
A) Striking the blade against the steel
B) Drawing the blade across at a consistent angle
C) Holding the blade still and moving the steel
D) Pressing hard and sawing back and forth
  • 9. What type of lubrication is best for a sharpening stone?
A) No lubrication
B) Cooking oil
C) Motor oil
D) Honing oil or water
  • 10. What is the 'paper test' used for?
A) Cleaning the blade
B) Measuring the angle
C) Checking sharpness
D) Lubricating the stone
  • 11. If you're using a two-sided stone, which grit do you start with for a dull blade?
A) Doesn't matter
B) Fine grit
C) Coarse grit
D) Medium grit
  • 12. What is the best way to clean a sharpening stone?
A) Just wipe it off
B) With sandpaper
C) With water and a brush
D) With a metal scraper
  • 13. What should you do after sharpening to maintain the edge?
A) Strop the blade
B) Nothing
C) Hit it against something hard
D) Store it wet
  • 14. What is the advantage of a diamond sharpening stone?
A) They are very inexpensive
B) They never wear down
C) They are self-lubricating
D) They sharpen very quickly
  • 15. When is it appropriate to use a ceramic rod?
A) For removing rust
B) For rough sharpening
C) For honing and maintaining an edge
D) For reprofiling a blade
  • 16. What does 'honing' primarily do?
A) Adds a protective coating to the blade.
B) Removes large chips from the blade.
C) Changes the blade's overall angle.
D) Straightens and refines the edge.
  • 17. What is a good safety practice when sharpening a knife?
A) Sharpen quickly
B) Use excessive force
C) Keep fingers away from the blade's path
D) Sharpen while distracted
  • 18. How does the hardness of the steel affect sharpening?
A) Harder steel takes longer to sharpen
B) Hardness doesn't affect sharpening
C) Harder steel is easier to sharpen
D) Softer steel holds an edge longer
  • 19. What should you do if your sharpening stone becomes clogged with metal filings?
A) Use sandpaper
B) Throw it away
C) Ignore it
D) Clean it with oil and a brush
  • 20. What is the purpose of using a guide when sharpening?
A) Speeding up the process
B) Maintaining a consistent angle
C) Cleaning the blade
D) Making the blade stronger
  • 21. Which of the following describes a convex edge?
A) Flat grind with a sharp angle
B) Concave or hollow grind
C) Rounded profile from spine to edge
D) Serrated edge
  • 22. What is the main advantage of a serrated blade?
A) Ideal for carving wood
B) Easy to sharpen
C) Holds an edge longer than a plain blade
D) Good for cutting fibrous materials
  • 23. How do you sharpen a serrated blade?
A) Using a flat sharpening stone
B) Using a conical or triangular file
C) Using a sharpening steel
D) Using a strop
  • 24. What is a common sign that a blade needs sharpening?
A) It is shiny and reflective
B) It slips or requires excessive force to cut
C) It is perfectly straight
D) It feels warm to the touch
  • 25. What does 'reprofiling' a blade mean?
A) Straightening a bent blade
B) Changing the angle of the cutting edge
C) Cleaning the blade
D) Polishing the blade
  • 26. What is the correct direction to move the blade across the sharpening stone?
A) In a circular motion
B) Towards the edge
C) Back and forth
D) Away from the edge
  • 27. What does TPI stand for concerning saws and files?
A) Teeth per inch
B) Turns per inch
C) Thickness per inch
D) Tension per inch
  • 28. Which of the following is best for creating a razor sharp edge?
A) Skipping grits
B) Using progressively finer grits
C) Applying excessive pressure
D) Using only the coarsest grit
  • 29. What is the recommended pressure to use when sharpening?
A) Pressure that bends the blade
B) No pressure at all
C) Light to moderate pressure
D) Very heavy pressure
  • 30. After sharpening a knife, what is the best way to store it?
A) With the blade exposed
B) Soaked in water
C) Loose in a drawer
D) In a sheath or block
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