Soak your whetstone well in water before using it — it needs to be wet whilst being used to sharpen knives. Always use the entire surface of your whetstone. After use, rinse under running water and leave to air dry. If necessary, for long-lasting good sharpening results, you can use a rubbing stone to roughen the surface and even out any unevenness. Use the whetstone’s holding tray to store it. We recommend a box (made of plastic or wood, for example) to protect your stone when not in use.