Every evening, after work, before supper. Craftsman sits on the porch, takes out a stone (Arkansas or Japanese water stone), and spends 10 minutes sharpening. Knife, chisel, axe, drawknife.
Why Every Day
Dull knife needs force. Force = fatigue. Fatigue = mistake. Mistake = cut. Sharp knife needs only direction. Direction = precision. Precision = safety.
Ritual
It's not work — it's meditation. Sound of stone on steel. Rhythm. Water on stone. Thumbnail test (sharp knife catches the nail, dull slides). 10 minutes — tool ready for tomorrow. Same for 300 years.