Knifes are a core-type item in most knife collections. They are useful for slicing, cutting, and stabbing! There are many different styles, patterns, and uses for knifes.
When it comes to choosing a knife, the main question people ask is: how do I use it? If you can show someone how to use it properly, then they will be more willing to try your knife and use it with some confidence.
Some people do not wear knives often enough to need the blade to be sharpened every time they use the knife. If you are looking at using your new knife for the first time and then again a few days later, you can now do some sharpening at home!
This article will talk about ways to home-sharpen your own knives.
Contents:
Find the correct angle for sharpening
When you need to sharpening your ceramic knives at home, you have to understand where the angle comes from and what it does.
Every sharpening method has a different angle that it needs to be mounted on. This angle is called a sharpening angle and it determines the depth of honing a knife can receive.
When you are first learning how to sharpen your knives, you should be using a shallow sharpening stone. This way, you are beginning on one side of the knife and building from there. Once you have built up some confidence in this, you can move onto a second stone or hard rock chrono-stone.
Find the correct grip for sharpening
When you need to sharp your ceramic knife at home, the first thing to do is find the correct grip. There are several ways to hold the knife, or knive, so that you can find the proper angle and grip for sharpening.
Some methods of holding the knife include: flicking the blade against a object to remove any residue, placing the knife under a focused flow of water and removing any remaining liquid, or attempting to file down the edge.
We suggest usingpaperto write down your suggestions as far as what papers look like and how they affect the sharpening process. These tips are purely for safety reasons, because if someone was unable to reach them they could potentially cut themselves while trying to sharpen.
Grind the edge using a flat surface
When you need to sharpen your ceramic knives at home, be sure to do this properly. You can use a electric or gas grinder to create a smooth and sharp edge on your knives.
You can also use a emery board or coarse sandpaper to smooth the edge. Both of these materials can be found in your kitchen supply store.
But, if you want your knives to be more precise, then going against the grain of the knife is the way to go. That is what heaps of importance on having a sharp knife.
To have enough strength to hold the knife against the stone, you must begin with an easy task such as rolling an egg on a normal hard surface like a pizza peel or plate.
Switch angles to sharpen entire blade
When a knife is blunt, it can easily become aoe, this is not good! There are many ways to sharpen a knife at home, and one of the most common is to switch angles to sharpen the entire blade.
Some ways to switch angles to sharpen the entire blade is to stand your knife face-up on its side, or down-side! This works because when you stand your knife on its side, you will be able use both sides of the blade.
Another way to switch angles is to hold the knife with your thumb along the spine and index finger along the edge.
Finish sharpening and test blade
After you have sharpened your ceramic knife at home, the best way to test your knife is by using one small piece of food or tissue around the blade.
If the knife feels tingly and cuts smoothly, then you have succeeded in getting the edges to heat up and glide through the material. If it feels heavy and difficult to control, then you should probably move on to another Knife model.
To finish off your knife, let it cool for a minute before handling or cutting. This will help prevent formation of ice crystals that can cause problems when cutting hot food.
If you have some harder woods such as charcoal or wood I would experiment with bristle knives to see what kind of grip styles they can handle.
Know when to replace your blade
When to replace your blade is the most important thing to know when it comes to knife sharpening. There are two times to sharpen your knife, the first is when you need to get a very sharp blade. Then there are times to keep a knife at its current sharpness.
Normal usage will bring your knife up to par every so often, if you were painting or preparing food for dinner, this would be a good time to sharpen your blade. More advanced cooks may need a more consistent and long-lasting blade.
When beginning the process of knife sharpening, it is best to start with a fine-edged knife such as an emergency survival or self-defense knife. These will require fewer steps in creating a new edge.
Keep your blades clean
When performing any sharpening technique on a ceramic knife, keep in mind that the edge can be delicate.
While steel can resist bluntness when left alone, ceramics can be difficult to pass off as such. Because they require special equipment to shape, it is important to take care of your knives when attempting this feat.
When sharpening the blade using either apaper or foam tape, it is important to measure your knife properly. Make sure you have an adequate amount of tape around the blade, and that it is tight enough to prevent sliding.
If you find that your tape is coming loose or slipping away, add more tape until you get the look and feel that you want.
Use the right oil for sharpening
When using oil for sharpening, do not use water or cold oil. These would cause the ceramic to break and/or get dull.
Instead, use a vegetable oil such as coconut or olive oil. These would prevent the knife from heating up as well as water or cold oil. This would also ensure a finer edge on your knife.
Carefully apply the oil to the blade, making sure not to leave a mark on the knife. If you must, put a piece of rubber over the edge to prevent it from getting stuck.