The phrase "avoid sharpening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is advising against making something sharper, whether literally (like a pencil or knife) or metaphorically (like a point in an argument).
Example: "To maintain the integrity of the blade, it is best to avoid sharpening it too frequently."
Alternatives: "refrain from sharpening" or "steer clear of sharpening".
She would grip the side of the mattress and gingerly ease herself out in a crouch position to avoid sharpening the dull ache in her lower back.
Even double-barrelled Craig, Mr Nasty on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, would struggle to award poor scores for race quality and location; but, equally, nice old Len couldn't possibly avoid sharpening his sometimes barely visible claws when judging the facilities.
All those U.S. tariffs and years later, European politicians preferred to live with indefinite sanctions and avoid meeting sharpened forks and knives - and unfavorable election returns - from a European public opposed to what it considered unsafe food additives.
China, North Korea's key ally, said it was "resolutely opposed" to the test, urging its neighbour to avoid actions that would sharpen tensions and return to six-party arms-for-disarmament talks.
Despite its cautious stance, Beijing said it "resolutely opposed" the test and urged Pyongyang to avoid actions that would sharpen tensions and to return to six-party disarmament talks.
To avoid excessive heating, properly sharpened knives must be used and the clearance between the knives and the bowl should not exceed 0.7 mm.
You should avoid scratching the blade while sharpening it: don't rush and try to keep within the original cutting area.
The Frenchman duly arrived at the KC Stadium requiring safe passage to avoid the knives being further sharpened for him.
However, the philosophical discourse addresses very different meanings of the term, which should be distinguished to avoid misunderstandings, but also to sharpen the key meanings of the term in psychological contexts.
The new LR sharpening algorithms try to avoid that weird effect that happens when you push the sharpness too far.
Mr. Kollek's desire to be a filmmaker, he acknowledges, was sharpened by a need to avoid anonymity.
