Sharpening

process of maintaining knives

Importance

Knife sharpening is almost universally considered a key shoemaking skill, as many cutting operations require great sharpness both for safety and for quality results, while also tending to blunt blades quickly.

More recently, beginners, students, and even a few independent bespoke makers have embraced disposable blades, such as utility knives, skifes, and super skivers, changing blades very frequently. In this they follow a great many repairers. Somewhere between, some makers and repairers use disposable blades, but also extend their life by honing or stropping.