Blunt knives irritate the most when you are doing some work that requires cutting. If your knife is too dull and does not cut competently, then it's the time to sharpen it. There are ways to sharpen a knife at home. You can use sharpening steel, sharpening stone or even commercial knife sharpeners. Read on to find ways of how to sharpen a knife at home.
Tips for Sharpening Knives
Using a Sharpening Steel
- Clutch the sharpening steel in one hand and the knife by its handle at the other hand.
- Place the knife in such a position that it is just under the handle of the steel, with the knife handle touching the bottom of the steel handle.
- The knife should be at 10 to 25 degree angle to the steel. Hold the steel rod steady and draw the knife blade down the steel.
- Repeat several times, until the entire cutting surface of the knife has been drawn across the steel on both sides of the blade.
Using a Sharpening Stone
- You can use either a wet or a dry sharpening stone.
- The next step is to rest the stone flat on a stable surface.
- While you hold the knife by its handle, put the blade at a 10 to 25 degree angle to the stone.
- Move the knife in a 'to and fro' motion, once drawing the knife toward you and the next time towards the stone.
- Turn the knife and repeat the same process on the other side of the blade as well.
Using a Commercial Knife Sharpener
- Read the instructions in the booklet that came with sharpener.
- The process usually involves drawing the knife blade through the mechanism toward you, until the knife is sharpened.
- This method is not applicable for fine knives.
