A keen edge
Ever since ancient man discovered that he could make cutting tools from stone, he had problems keeping them sharp. Some of these Stone Age implements and sharpening stones are still found in the bush, a legacy from Indigenous Australians. In fact, I have seen them in use while traversing Arnhem Land.
Of course, modern steels and tools surpass anything that was used previously by Stone Age people. However, sharpening techniques and tools remain like those used by them, albeit a tad more refined.
Years ago, at Waterfall Hole, near Beswick, I observed an Aboriginal man grinding a stone spear point to a sharp edge on sandstone rock. He poured a little water onto the rock for better grinding. I reflected that the approach he used was little different to my own process.
Do it right
Outdoors people have good reasons to have a sharp knife. Sharpening is simple and no expensive equipment needs to be used for the job. Yet many a
