Sharpening knives is very important to make your work easier and more comfortable. Dull knives are disturbing because they make slicing difficult and dangerous. But the confusion is, can you sharpen your knife without a sharpener? The answer is yes, and you can sharpen your knife with different methods.
Different methods that can be performed are given.
- Sandpaper
- Smooth Stone.
- Concrete
- A coffee mug
- Slate
Method # 01
Use of Sandpaper
Sharpening knives is not only inexpensive but can also be done at home. This is also very easy to do.
First, get a 180-grit or 240-grit sandpaper ( wet or dry silicon carbide black sandpaper). Lay the sandpaper on a hard surface to handle it firmly and to sharpen the entire edge. Hold the knife firmly to sharpen it and slide the edge across the sandpaper. Sharpen the knife from both sides in the same way. Raise the handle slightly when sliding the edge of curved blade knives.
Method # 02
Use of Smooth Stone
A smooth and flat stone is good for sharpening the knife. Choose a smooth rock that has a fine grain. Wet the rock with water and use it like a whetstone. You can move the stone over the blade if the rock is small. While sharpening, you need to keep the angle consistent.
Method # 03
Use of Concrete
Yes, concrete can be used to sharpen a knife; it is everywhere. But it can also damage your knife. Find a smooth concrete and run the knife like a sharpening stone. After that, stropping will help to make it smoother.
Method # 04
Use of a Coffee Mug
A coffee mug is mostly available in homes, and you can use it as a homemade sharpening stone. Most of the mug’s surface is polished, but the bottom of the cup is usually rough. This rough surface is not true for every mug, but most mugs have a rough surface. This rough surface can be used to sharpen the knife. Knife sharpening will be better if the surface is rougher. Place your knife at a 10-degree angle to the bottom surface of the mug. Sharpen the knife from both sides by keeping the same angle.
Method #05
Use of Slate
Slate can sharpen the knife if you don’t have a whetstone. Slate has a rough exterior that sharpens the knife effectively. Firstly, soak the slate in water. Then position the knife at a 10-degree angle from the slate. Run your knife blade along the slate until you get the desired result.
Knives are used daily; therefore, they become dull, which is very common. Some of the reasons that cause knives to be dull earlier. So, by adopting some precautions, you can prevent your knives from getting dull quickly. So, some tips and precautions are given.
Use the knife on the appropriate surface
Cutting on a wooden board is better to avoid getting dull. The hard surface causes the knife to dull quickly. The density and heaviness of the wooden boards allow you to slice on them safely and steadily.
Store your knives properly
Mostly, knives are floating here and there in the kitchen. The proper way is to keep your knife in a wooden knife block. You can also store your knives in plastic blade protectors to prevent scratches and dents.
Use a knife for its main purpose
Most people use knives for various purposes, such as opening cans. People also use bread knives to cut other foods. So it would help if you stopped making these mistakes to avoid getting your knife dull very soon. Use your knives for their intended purpose, making them last longer.
Washed by hand
If you clean your knives in the dishwasher or you are used to putting them in the sink, these habits will not be suitable for knives. So washing by hand is great for increasing the lifespan of knives. You should wash your hands and dry them quickly.
Honing
Honing is necessary to keep your knife’s edge sharp. Honing often necessitates less sharpening. So hone your knife after each use to ensure precise cuts every time.
Right grip
The grip is important to make your knife last longer. A pinch grip is the most common, which is not suitable for all types of cuts. So always try to use the right grip.
Sharpening way
Proper sharpening technique is also important to keep your knife sharp for a long time. Maintain a consistent angle while sharpening the knife.
Right tool
Choose the right tool to sharpen your knife. Choose the sharpening tool according to the item’s desire.
How do you know that your knife is sharp enough?
Tap the edges of the blade gently against the fingernail. A knife is sharp if the blade bites in; it is dull if it slides or deflects. From the starting heel, check the area that is not sharp.
How can you easily sharpen your knife?
With the use of knife sharpening tools, you can easily sharpen your knife again and again. They are affordable and easy to use.
Why do knives get dull so quickly?
Contacting knives with hard surfaces again and again can cause the knife to get dull quickly.
How often should you sharpen your knife?
When should you sharpen your knife? It depends on several factors, including its use and maintenance, but you should sharpen it every two weeks.
Is it difficult to sharpen low-quality knives?
Low-quality knives are difficult to sharpen. Get a good quality knife and a sharpening tool to make them easy to use all the time.
Can hot water damage your knives?
Moisture and the high temperature of the dishwasher can cause damage to both the handle and steel. This is especially true if the blade is carbon steel (which rusts more easily) or has a wood handle.
