How to Sharpen a Knife

How to Sharpen a Knife

Sharpening a Knife is a skill that takes time and patience to master. This guide will help you learn and develop the skill of sharpening a knife. It will also educate you on which type of sharpener to use on different types of blades, as well as the proper technique to care for and sharpen a knife.
                                                           

What Sharpener Would Work with my Knife?

First, always check the manufacturer's directions as sometime they have a special way in which their blades should be sharpened and sharpening it via a different method may damage the knife. After you have checked with the manufacturer you will need to discern which type of blade you have. There are two main types of blades, Straight or Plain edge blades and Serrated Blades.

                                                      
After figuring out which type of blade you are using, you must then choose how you are going to sharpen it. There are a three different ways in which you can sharpen your blade; either an Electric Sharpener, a Manual or Hand Sharpener, or a Stone Sharpener.

How to Select a Knife Sharpener

Electric sharpeners are a quick way to sharpen knives. They have constructed groves that the knife is slid through. The electricity powers the sharpeners that are located inside of the unit and the knife is simply passed through





Manual sharpeners are normally diamond or ceramic rods that you slide across the blade in order to sharpen the knife. Manual Sharpeners allow for the most control over the blade and angle, but can leave a blade uneven until you learn how to correctly use them.

Stone Sharpeners

When choosing a Stone sharpener one must realize that not every type of stone will work on every type of blade. There are two types of fixed blade sharpening stones, Diamond Stone Sharpeners and Natural Stone Sharpeners

- Diamond Stone Sharpeners are comprised of a metal or composite base. The base is then covered with a thin layer of micron-sized diamonds. These types of sharpeners are fast and effective, and are available in different grits depending on how fine you want your blade. Diamond Stone Sharpeners can be used dry or wet but wet is recommended.
     * For serrated blades you should use a tapered diamond sharpener




- Natural Stone Sharpeners are comprised of genuine silica from Arkansas. The different abrasive features of this stone make it a wonderful sharpening tool that is used in most sharpening situations. These stones can also be used wet or dry.

      Note: When deciding whether to use your stone wet or dry, one can either use water or water based Honing Oil (not petroleum based oil). Always remember, if you choose to use honing oil there is no going back to just water after the knife has been sharpened with the oil.

Steps for Sharpening a Knife

1. Grab your stone or selected sharpener (if using a wet stone make sure to use a liberal amount of liquid to maintain a constant pool on the stone). Place your angle guide on your blade if you have one and begin to drag the stone or sharpener across the blade length wise. Make sure to use long fluid strokes, and try to get the whole blade in one stroke. Multiple passes in the same stroke could cause unevenness in the blade.
2. Repeat step one until desired angle and edge is attained on that side of the blade, then flip the blade over and repeat on the dull side. (Remember to keep the pool of liquid on your stone at all time letting the stone dry up could have adverse effects on your blade).
3. Once you believe that you have achieved the desired edge for your blade have something with you that you can practice cutting on. Do a few test slices to see if your blade is at the desired sharpness you set out to attain. Another good test to check if your blade is thoroughly sharp would be the paper test:
   • Drag your blade across the thin side of a piece of paper without applying pressure. If the knife cuts the paper from end to end without you having to apply pressure or saw the blade your knife is razor sharp. But if you have to apply pressure or saw the blade go back and repeat the above steps.

*Remember, when sharpening you knife, make sure you push the blade away from your body to avoid any type of injury.

It is important to know that the first time you sharpen your knife will not be the best time, it takes practice and patience to get the art of blade sharpening down. Also, do not use your favorite knife as your first knife you choose to sharpen. Try using a knife that you can practice on until you become familiar enough at it; the last thing you want is to ruin the blade of your favorite knife. Remember the absolute worst thing that could happen is that you have to buy a new knife, so have fun learning to sharpen!