Four bevels, one steady angle: sharpening a double edge
A Pakistani dagger with two edges has four bevels to maintain, and the aim is to keep them identical so the point stays centred.
- Work on a whetstone, around 1000 grit, laid flat on a damp towel so it cannot slide.
- Sharpen one edge at roughly 20 degrees on both faces, counting the same number of strokes on each, from the guard to the tip of the 28.4 cm blade.
- Turn the dagger and repeat on the second edge, with your fingers well clear of the edge facing you.
- Refine all four bevels on a finer stone, then remove the burr with light alternating strokes.
- Sight down the blade: if the point has drifted to one side, take a few extra strokes on the opposite edge.
