Common Knife and Sharpening MythsHave you heard some of the most common knife myths? One old wives tale, for example, says that giving a knife as a gift is bad luck because it cuts the relationship. another tale says that if a butter knife falls to the floor accidentally, a family is coming to visit. besides these tales, there are many misconceptions that affect knife usage. Believing some of these myths can actually make it harder to use your knives. Here are some of the more prevalent knife myths:a dull knife is safer to…
Using a Pull through Knife SharpenerA pull through knife sharpener differs from an ordinary knife sharpening stone because the pull through style ensures an accurate and consistent angle. in contrast, when using a sharpening stone you must physically hold the knife against a sharpening stone at the specified angle.each knife blade is designed to have a specific blade angle for optimum performance. Additionally, too sharp of an angle can make the blade more likely to bend or break. a pull through knife sharpener takes the guess…
How Sharpening Steels WorkA sharpening steel, also called a honing steel, is a rod of steel measuring up to a foot long. Usually used to sharpen knives and scissors. the sharpening steel is covered in ridges that make the steel slightly abrasive, removing microscopic layers from the edge of knife blades.Many modern steels include a diamond honing surface, but traditional steels do not in fact sharpen your blade as you may think. instead they simply realign the edge that becomes bent over during use. This cannot be…
Sharpening Serrated BladesAlthough your serrated knives will still cut as they grow dull, you will begin to notice a tearing or shredding action rather than smooth cuts. if this is happening, then it is time to sharpen your knife. Sharpening dull serrated blades can be a bit more difficult than sharpening plain blades. Maintaining serrations is important if you want your knife to cut well, but they do require a bit more experience to sharpen. Serrated blades can also take longer to sharpen than a similarly sized plain…
Caring For KnivesCaring for your knives goes beyond an occasional sharpening. in fact, there are many steps you can take to keep them in good condition, although the knives will eventually become dull through use and require sharpening. whether you have a high-quality knife investment or have purchased a set of discount kitchen knives, proper care and maintenance can often extend their life by several years.To keep your knives in top condition, always wash and thoroughly dry them after use, especially if you…
Electric SharpenersElectric sharpeners are one of the easiest ways to sharpen your knives. Electric knife sharpeners work the same as a sharpening stone, except that the machine does all of the work. Particularly useful if you do a lot of sharpening or have to remove a lot of material to expose a sharp edge on your knives, an electric sharpener is a good choice to make the job go much faster.Most electric sharpeners have an adjustable angle guide, with removable sharpening stones or ceramic plates to polish the…
How Ceramic Sharpeners WorkA ceramic sharpener, like other knife sharpeners, work by removing a very thin layer of metal from the blade of your knife. Ceramic sharpeners are made from dense ceramic material instead of stone. They are especially recommended for sharpening very hard knives. the ceramic material used is harder than other sharpening stones, and will not wear out as quickly. Softer sharpening stones can get worn down in the middle if you do a lot of sharpening, forcing you to re=surface and flatten your…
How to Choose a Knife SharpenerKnife sharpeners are very important if you want to keep your knives in top condition. there is a wide range of sharpeners available, including small hand-held blocks to large electric sharpeners. All knife sharpeners are designed to restore the blade of a knife to its original sharpness. Since most people are not professional chefs with a lot of experience sharpening knives, they do not know what to look for when purchasing a knife sharpener. However, a knife sharpener is a very useful tool to…
Choosing an Industrial or Professional Knife SharpenerFor most home cooks or occasional users of tools with blades, a simple pull-through knife sharpener, sharpening stone, or sharpening steel should be sufficient. After all, this occasional task takes just a little elbow grease, and your knives will be back in top condition in no time. on the other hand, if you use your tools frequently, often find yourself chipping them or otherwise wearing them down, or are a professional chef or anyone else who uses an assortment of kitchen knives on a daily…
How to Use a Sharpening StoneA sharpening stone is the easiest way to return your knives and other cutlery to a useful state once they begin to dull. not only knives but also scissors, razors, chisels, and plane blades can be sharpened with a stone. Sharpening stones are made of very hard stone or a manufactured material, such as ceramic or diamond stone. Usually in the form of a block that you hold in your hand or set on a flat surface, although they can also be found in the form of bench stones, wheels, or rods, these…