As a life long carpenter and wood carver, I value my knives and chisels. A dull knife is very dangerous as you are tempted to use it as a sword or a hatchet. That's how "Three Finger Jake" earned his knickname.

I use the "our knives need sharpening" ploy occasionally to go to my shop at night and build a fire in the stove, put on some good music, take a glass of vodka (I am a Finnlander) and sharpen our knives.

I've even been known to do the same for some of my better deck customers, just as a "thank you" for the jobs they give me.

As someone already said, learn to use a couple of different grits of stones ... and don't forget the vodka. CHEERS, Bob