Your Workshop Shop Maintenance Waterstone Holder A sharpening guide helps avoid gouging the surface. By WOOD Magazine Staff WOOD Magazine Staff Launched in 1984, WOOD® magazine is the world's most trusted woodworking resource — a distinction we've earned by guaranteeing our readers' success in their woodworking shops. It is the mission of our staff to inspire and inform woodworkers at every stage of their journey by providing reliable and accurate project plans, woodworking techniques, and product reviews. WOOD magazine's Editorial Process Published on January 24, 2017 More and more woodworkers are finding that the path to perfectly sharpened edge tools lead them through water. For that's what lubricates the increasingly popular Japanese waterstones. These manmade whetstones offer a big advantage in sharpening tools—an abrasive surface that constantly renews itself as you work. Waterstones are intended to be used wet. So before sharpening soak the stone in water for 10 to 15 minutes in clean water. To hold the stone steady and centered in a container with water (we use a cookie pan), build the simple holder shown above. The two side pieces slide on the 3⁄8 " dowel, allowing you to center the stone in the container. The rubber band holds the stone firmly against the side pieces and dowel. When you're done sharpening, simply remove the holder from the water and let dry.—WOOD Magazine Shop If you like this project, please check out the hundreds of shop-proven paper and downloadable woodworking project plans in the WOOD Store.If you like shop and furniture projects, click below for information on subscribing to WOOD magazine. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit