Knife sharpening is essential to keep your knives sharp for cutting. Also, it can be an art form and a simple task that can be done once a month or whenever the blade gets dull.. Cutting vegetables or even meat with dull knives can be hazardous and that is one of the reasons why most kitchen accidents happen. This is why it makes more sense to check out these knife sharpening tips and get your kitchen knives super sharp.
Coffee Mug:
All coffee mugs are made of porcelain and that would be stating just the obvious. But these coffee mugs are used to serve coffee to the guests. While you generally need a whetstone to get your knives sharpened, did you know that you can do the same with your coffee mug? All you have to do is to turn over the coffee mug flat on the table, make sure that the flat surface is on the top, facing towards you. Now hold the knife at a 20-degree angle and keep the flat of the blade resting against the mug. Now, move the sharp blade across the flat top a few times, and keep repeating the same. After a while, flip the knife and now do the same, for the other side. You should be able to check and see if there has been any marked improvement right away, by testing the knife to cut a few vegetables and fruits.
Whetstone:
Whetstone is quite effective when it comes to knife sharpening. However, make sure that you use a little mineral oil on the surface of the whetstone to lube it before sharpening your knives. You need to pick an angle to sharpen your knife; the optimal degree would be between 15-20 degrees; hold the knife firmly and place the flat end of the blade across the whetstone. Now, drag the sharp end of the knife across the whetstone and repeat the process a few times until the knife is sharp enough. You may need to use a small tool to maintain the angle as you sharpen your knife; maintaining this by hand can be difficult. However, with a well-lubricated whetstone, you should be able to get the knife sharpened in the fastest time.
Honing Rod:
Honing rods are made of steel and cause less wear and tear on the knife than say, a whetstone which is why they are preferred. But keep in mind that honing rods are not used to sharpen extremely dull knife but are used to maintain the sharpness that is already present in the knife. Take the honing rod in your non-dominant hand, hold the knife at 20 degrees with four fingers on the hilt and press the thumb across the flat of the blade. Now, run the other end of the knife across the honing rod a few times and then flip the knife over and repeat the process. Do six to 8 repeats until you are sure that the knife is sharp enough.
With these methods, you should be able to sharpen all your knives. If not, you can always head to the local shop to get your knife sharpen at an affordable rate. Just remember that if you want your knives to last longer, you may want to avoid the whetstone as it can damage and stress your blade. Also remember to take all the required precautions when sharpening your knives so that you do not hurt yourself. With these tips, you should be able to sharpen your knives, without hurting yourself.
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