Is it important??
HECK YEAH!
Simply put, and I am not putting this in simple terms because I don't think you would understand it otherwise, I'm putting it simply because the concept and technique is quite basic, nothing complicated about it but not many people that I meet are aware of the importance of it.
So imagine sharpening that Primary Edge Bevel and every time you do it a little metal is removed, that is what is supposed to happen, so that is a good thing. Well imagine doing that often, over time, that edge would become quite thick, it would move up into the secondary edge or back bevel as depicted above. The angle of the knife, the factory angle of 20 degrees for example would become wider and wider. Basically the knife becomes too thick and in fact most knives are too thick when they come from the factory.
So Thinning is the process of sharpening the secondary bevel (back bevel), you are not really sharpening it but removing metal in that area by careful positioning of that portion of the knife on the stones and grinding away the unwanted metal, the metal that is making the knife thick.
So how do you do it you ask?
If the primary edge is sharpened at let's say 20 deg (typical of most European knives, Grohmanns) well to thin the knife you would lay the knife down closer to the stone, almost flat on the stone and go to work, so you are working at 15 or 13 degrees. You are not making the knife sharp now, you are thinning and making the knife much more effective. You can polish this Relief Face or Relief as it is called to a very high polish if you like, if you have the patience and right water stones, this Relief Face can become like a mirror. I really love doing this to a knife, it's pretty cool.
Remember, you are not trying to make the knife sharp during this process, you are thinning the knife, you can do this to a new knife.
Once you have the Relief Face accomplished, now you can sharpen the knife by raising the angle slightly and you will find the knife will become exceptionally sharp and it will become sharp very quickly. I'm telling you, this is the way to make your knife sharper than you have ever seen before.
Also, once thinned, you can just sharpen the primary edge the next time, just keep an eye on the thickness of the knife as time passes.
I know I make it sound simple and it isn't as simple as it seems but I firmly believe that a knife is meant to be sharpened.
If you go out and get yourself a water stone and try to sharpen your own knife, GOOD ON YA, so what if it doesn't work, at least you tried. It was dull anyway. (Bring it to me, I'll fix it for you).
So thinning is essential to maintain the geometry of the knife, to keep it an effective too.
NOW this is why gadgets do not work, the electric sharpeners for example. Do you think you can create a Relief Face with an electric knife sharpener??
Knife sharpening is cool, it is fun and extremely rewarding. The Relief Face (thinning) is somewhat advanced, you don't need to worry about it at first. There is sharpening and then there is Extreme Sharpening.
Bottom Line - If you have one water stone and you sharpen your own knife, regardless of the results, you need to pat yourself on the back for attempting. One lesson could make a huge difference but there are many great videos out there. Check out Jon Broida on You Tube or visit Japanese Knife Imports. Jon is a very nice man and gifted sharpener. His videos are exceptional.
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