Knife Sharpening 101: How to Keep Your Edge with MKC Founder Josh Smith | Mike Drop 220

About this video

Josh Smith, founder of Montana Knife Company, discusses knife sharpening techniques and maintenance with host Mike Ritland. Smith explains that sharpening success begins with proper blade design—thin edge geometry and appropriate steel selection—and recommends bench stones over pull-through sharpeners for home use. He describes how a sharp edge functions microscopically like a saw with tiny teeth, and explains the trade-offs between hardness and toughness in blade construction. Smith also covers field sharpening options, his skepticism about serrated blades, and the rigorous testing required for master bladesmith certification.

Key takeaways

• Smith argues that successful sharpening starts with the knife itself—proper edge geometry and steel selection make blades easier to maintain and sharpen at home.
• Smith explains that under a microscope, a sharp edge looks like a saw with microscopic teeth that grab and rip material, and sharpening rebuilds this “wire edge” when the teeth dull.
• Smith describes the inverse relationship between blade hardness and toughness, noting that his master bladesmith test required a blade that could chop rope and wood while remaining sharp, then bend 90 degrees without breaking.
• Smith recommends bench stones (starting with 220 grit, moving to 600-800 grit) over pull-through V-rod sharpeners, and suggests magnetic angle guides can help maintain consistency.

Episode details: published December 29, 2024 · 34.6K views · 13:50 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

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