Soak the whetstone if required by the manufacturer
Place the stone on a stable, non-slip surface
Hold the knife at a consistent sharpening angle
Start with the coarse side of the stone if the blade is dull
Draw the blade across the stone from heel to tip
Apply light, even pressure on each stroke
Repeat the same number of strokes on both sides of the blade
Check for a burr along the edge
Switch to the finer side of the stone
Repeat the sharpening strokes on the finer grit
Rinse the blade and stone as needed to remove metal slurry
Finish with very light alternating strokes
Clean and dry the knife after sharpening
Flatten the whetstone if it becomes uneven