Bevel: A small V-shape created at the edge of the blade to strengthen the blade for everyday use.

Fine-grit stone: a stone that's used to create the final bevel on the knife. It creates a smoother metal surface than a medium-grit stone.

Medium-grit stone: a stone that's used to create the basic edge on a knife. It grinds away metal more quickly than a fine- grit stone.

2torial #0685: Learn2 Sharpen a Knife (Continued) Choose your stone First, there's the question of whether or not to use a liquid on the sharpening stone. A fiery debate rages on this issue, and you'd better figure out which side you're on, so you're not mistaken for the enemy and accidentally shot. Some stones are marketed as specifically for wet and dry uses, so keep the following points in mind as you shop around. One school of thought insists that using oil, water or saliva helps "float" the tiny metal shavings away from the stone when the blade is being sharpened.   The other camp demands that using any type of liquid just clogs up the pores of the stone (which ruins the stone forever) and only polishes the blade, rather than grinding it.   The staff at Learn2.com respects the views of both camps, and suggests the method below--it works with both dry and wet stones. Step 2