Knife sharpening is a skill that requires an understanding of simple geometry and physics and a keen eye for detail. You can use different methods to sharpen a knife, including a sharpening stone, grinding wheel, rotary tool, or file.
Different Ways to Sharpen a Knife
Sharpening Stone
A sharpening stone is a piece of coarse and fine-grit whetstones with which you can sharpen knives. Its coarse surface removes the burrs and the fine one removes the scratches produced by the coarse surface. Stones can be made of natural or artificial materials such as silicon, aluminum oxide, diamond, and basalt.
To begin, lay the stone flat on a table or countertop and raise the blade of your knife to the top of the stone. Draw it back in an arc down until you reach its point, then slowly draw it back up again at an angle to get an even edge. Repeat this same motion from point to heel six or seven times at each side of the blade.
Grinding Wheel
A grinding wheel is an abrasive tool with a rough surface that rotates at high speeds. It is used to sharpen blades. It can be horizontally or vertically mounted and consists of various abrasives: silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and diamond.
The upper surface of the grinding wheel is coarse, while the lower surface is fine. Draw the knife blade along it at an angle, keeping it as flat as possible to avoid breakage. This will ensure that the blade’s edge is sharpened evenly. Repeat this same motion several times until the knife becomes sharp.
Rotary Tool
A rotary tool is a hand-held electric tool with a rotary circular cutter that can sharpen blades. It consists of different kinds of abrasives such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, diamond, and ceramics. A rotary tool has many applications such as cutting, sanding, polishing, engraving and grinding plastic and metal with high precision.
File
A file is a hand-held tool that allows you to sharpen or grind small blades such as cutters, knives and saws. It consists of metal rods and sharp edges with fine and coarse grits. Files can be made of steel, brass, aluminum, wood, plastic, or ceramic material.
Tips for Knife Sharpening
1. Sharpen Regularly
A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. It takes more force to cut with a dull blade, so you’re more likely to slip and cut yourself. You should sharpen your knife regularly and if you have trouble keeping an edge on the blade, choose another type of knife or different material of stone for your next purchase.
2. Use The Correct Sharpening Angle
The correct angle to sharpen a knife depends on the type of knife and the blade material. For example, you can sharpen knives with serrated blades at an angle of 15°. Also, some knives, such as table knives, can be sharpened at an angle of 30°.
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Conclusion
A sharp knife is the most important tool in your kitchen, whether it’s for peeling vegetables, slicing meat, or preparing food for cooking. A knife is an important tool for cooking and requires regular maintenance as its blade gets dull after a period of time. It’s also important to choose the right blade material for your knife sharpener, as well as the right angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I have many knives, and I don’t know which type of stone to use for each one?
A. Generally, you would start with a coarse stone that can remove material fast and then move onto the finer stones. Moreover, the finer stones focus on removing small amounts of material and maintaining a sharp edge between your last coarse stone and your final polishing stone.
Q. Which coarse stone do I use for a ceramic rod sharpener?
A. You would use a coarse-grit wet stone or an Arkansas stone for some ceramic rod sharpeners. The best option is an Arkansas stone due to its ability to remove more metal and achieve a very sharp edge quickly.