what is the best way to sharpen a knife?

Answer 1

Sharpening a Knife
A sharp knife is a wonderful tool and a point of pride. However,sharpening a knife can be a tough skill for many to learn. In this article I will share with you keys to having a sharp necropsy knife.


2. The only thing that will put a better edge on a knife than a stone is a strop, after the knife has been stoned to a keen edge. All a strop does is polish the edge that you have formed with the stone. For general use this is not needed.

For a good (great) sharpening kit, all you need is either a coarse india stone or a diamond stone, a medium Arkansas, a hard Arkansas, and a leather strop. With these items, used with skill, you can sharpen anything to a razor sharpness, regardless of what you have been told.


3. Being Sharp with Knives

o start with you should have two tools. The first tool is a sharpening stone which you can pick up at your local hardware store for anywhere from $6.00 to $30.00. They all work well, so choose what you think you will feel comfortable using. Both wet and dry stones are fine.

A stone is used for "honing" which means putting a sharp edge on your knife. This is something you should do three to four times a year. It gives the knife a sharp, straight edge: meaning no divots in the edge.

The next tool that you need is a sharpening steel. If you purchased a knife set this probably came with the set. They can be found at cutlery and kitchen stores. It keeps the blade sharp once you have put a sharp edge on it with your stone. Use it before each cutting session.

How to Use a Stone

Lay your stone on a flat, non-skid service. Lay the blade flat on the stone. Grasp the knife by the handle. Turn your knife edge to the stone at a 20 degree angle. Using a drawing motion, draw the knife down the stone starting from the handle area of the knife and moving all the way to the tip. Make sure to keep the edge of the blade in constant contact with the stone. Apply medium to light pressure. You may apply a little more pressure depending on the condition of your knife’s edge. A very dull edge will require more pressure. Turn the knife over, and repeat the process. Alternate your strokes until each side of the blade has been run across the stone several times. A very dull knife will need more strokes.

How to Use a Sharpening Steel

1. Hold the steel in one hand.

2. Hold the knife by its handle in your other hand.

3. Place the knife on the underside of the steel, just below the steel's handle.

4. Holding the knife at a 20 degree angle, clench the steel tightly and draw the knife blade down the length of the steel, away from your body.

5. Repeat this process until the entire cutting surface of the knife has been drawn across the steel on both sides of the blade several times.


IMPORTANT TIPS

Do not attempt to sharpen serrated edged knives. These knives have an intricate edge that requires a special sharpening device. If you have a dull serrated edge knife, which doesn't happen often, it is best to take it to a professional knife sharpener.

To freshen up a dull knife handle, rub in a small amount of olive oil.

Do not wash your knives in the dish washer. This is the quickest way to dull the edge and bring them to an early demise.

Answer 2

If it's quite dull, you may have to use a belt sander and then follow up with a butchers steel . Sharpen it by going down in one direction making sure the entire blade is run downwards (closest to the handle to the tip and away from the body). A sharpening block is probably the better way to go and is less dangerous.
If you know of a local butcher shop, get them to sharpen it for you. Most times they'll be happy to do this and will charge a small fee but it's usually worth it and will be sharper than doing it on your own.

Answer 3

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RE:
what is the best way to sharpen a knife?

Answer 4

Matching the angle of the honed edge of the knife, draw it towards you on the stone. They have guides for this purpose, keeping the angle right.

Also, match the grit of the stone to the type of knife blade (carbon steel vs. stainless steel for instance)

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Answer 5

Necropsy Knife