To sharpen your knives efficiently, a whetstone must be perfectly flat and levelled.  A regular use of a flattening stone will keep your whetstone in good shape and ready for fine sharpening.

• Soak both the flattening stone and the whetstone for about 10-15 minutes in water before use.
• Move the ridged side of the flattening stone backwards and forwards over the whetstone until its flatness is restored.
• Move the ridged side of the flattening stone over the four edges of the whetstone to round off the corners and prevent cracks or injury.
• After use, wash both the flattening stone and the whetstone in water, wipe off and dry thoroughly before storing.