Guide to Achieving Razor Sharpness with the Schmiedeglut Diamond Leather Unlimited 5-in-1 Sharpening System

17/06/2025 | Blog

Whether knife or tool, simple, safe and precise work is far easier with a sharp edge – whether in the kitchen, while camping or in the workshop. At Schmiedeglut, we know how essential a sharpened blade is for true enjoyment when using a knife. That’s why today we’re presenting a comprehensive guide to sharpening knives with our Diamond Leather Unlimited 5-in-1 Sharpening System.

Why should knives be sharpened regularly?

First, let’s take a moment to look at why regular knife sharpening is so important. Regularly resharpening your knives ensures the following three key benefits:

Safety: Less risk of slipping & therefore a lower risk of injury
Efficiency: clean & smooth cuts without requiring much force
Durability: the blade – especially the edge – is protected because less pressure is needed when cutting

What is the Diamond Leather Unlimited 5-in-1 Sharpening System and what is it suitable for?

Our innovative 5-in-1 sharpening system combines all the tools you need for professional sharpening results:

Diamond-coated steel plates (coarse & fine)
Leather strop for honing
Diamond polishing compound
Diamond honing rod for serrated & recurve blades

The Diamond Leather Unlimited is suitable for almost all knives – from kitchen knives to outdoor knives, razors, serrated & recurve blades, and even hand-forged unique pieces.

Step-by-step instructions: How to sharpen knives with the Schmiedeglut Diamond Leather Unlimited

With the correct handling of our Diamond Leather Unlimited, you can bring almost any knife back to razor sharpness. Our diamond sides are labelled from number 1 (No. 1) to number 4 (No. 4). The diamond honing rod is number 5 and is used for serrated and recurve blades. How to use it is explained in Step 5. It is important to note that when sharpening with the Diamond Leather, only very light pressure is needed. Otherwise, you risk scraping off the diamonds from the steel plates, which would require replacing the plate.

Before we begin, here’s an important tip to help you check whether you are maintaining the correct angle while sharpening: Use a marker to colour the edge of your knife. Then draw the knife over the diamond plate. If you have maintained the correct angle, the marker line will be completely removed. If you can still see the marking, you need to adjust your angle accordingly.

Step 1: No. 1 Diamond plate 38 µm for coarse pre-sharpening

Only use this coarse diamond surface if your knife is completely dull.
Guide the blade across the surface at the correct angle 5–7 times per side.
Afterwards, make sure to perform 3 alternating strokes per side to remove the burr.
Tip: Alternatively, you can cut into a piece of soft wood, such as the handle of the Diamond Leather Unlimited, to break the burr.

Step 2: No. 2 Diamond plate 15 µm for fine sharpening

Repeat the same sharpening process as on the 38 µm diamond plate.
The goal is that, after sharpening, the blade catches securely during the fingernail test instead of slipping.
If everything has been done correctly, the knife should already be able to cut tomatoes again.

Step 3: No. 3 leather side with 9 µm diamond polishing compound for pre-polishing

Time to strop on the leather: draw the knife against the cutting direction 5–7 times per side across the leather.
Important: Switch the side of the blade after each stroke.

Step 4: No. 4 leather side with 3 µm diamond polishing compound for scalpel sharpness

This ultra-fine diamond polishing compound brings your edge to a mirror polish.
Repeat the same stropping process as on side No. 3 (9 µm).

Step 5: 15 µm diamond honing rod for serrated and recurve blades

For knives with a serrated edge or curved blade, you will find an integrated diamond honing rod inside the handle of the Diamond Leather Unlimited. Simply unscrew it and get started. For these types of knives, replace Step 1 and Step 2 with Step 5.

Bread knives: Carefully sharpen each tooth individually. Make sure not to round off the tips — keep them pointed.
Knives with a curved blade shape: The diamond honing rod allows you to follow every curve precisely. Maintain the correct angle throughout.
Once the blades have passed the fingernail test, you can continue using the leather sides (No. 3 and No. 4) as usual.
Bread knives: Only strop along the edges of the leather. Curved blades can be stropped across the entire leather surface like regular kitchen knives.

By following these 5 steps, your knife will be razor-sharp again and ready for safe and efficient cutting.