Matching each blade's edge to its job
This knife carries an 8.4 cm hawksbill for pruning and a smaller hooked blade for finer work, so sharpen them for their tasks rather than identically.
- Work the main serpette knife blade on a medium stone or ceramic rod at about 20 to 25 degrees, following the curve from heel to point; a slightly sturdier edge stands up to knots and woody shoots.
- Give the smaller blade a finer finish: after the medium grit, move to a fine stone, around 3000 or higher, so it slices green bark cleanly.
- Remove the burr on both blades with a few light alternating strokes.
- Open and close each blade a few times, wipe away metal dust, and add a drop of oil at the pivot.
