Cooking is more enjoyable with a sharp knife; nevertheless, if you don’t check it regularly. On the other hand, the dull knife is a nightmare for everyone that makes you tired to death. But what to do to keep your knives at their finest?
Keeping your knife sharp and slick is easier once you understand the basics of knife sharpening. You can sharpen your knife at home in no time with your wits and intellect, as there is a range of household tools that you can use solely for sharpening.
Before we get into the solution to your question, let’s define what knife sharpening is. Sharpening is a general term that gives something a keen edge, but it takes on a new meaning when used with knives. It entails removing the metal from the knife’s blade to generate an edge at the knife.
10 Ways to sharpen your knife at home
These everyday items might not be able to sharpen your knife to the truest meaning of the word as the traditional sharpener can, but they can hone or strop the edge of your knife, making it realigned. Therefore, they are effective if you don’t have a sharpener by your side.
Let’s head toward revealing all the ten ways to help you in knife sharpening.
1. Old car windows
The old abandoned cars may be deemed junk, but they are the ultimate glory for the knife wielders. Unlike any other sharpening device, car windows can ultimately hone the knife and are considered the best approach for knife sharpening. The edges of the car windows do wonders for your knife blade.
2. The spine of Another Knife
Using the spine of another knife is the next most generous device for honing. Simply slide both knives against each other, and you’ll notice a significant difference in your dull blade. If the knife you’re using is made of harder steel than the one to be horned, this procedure will work great.
3. Sharpening Stone
Whetstone is the best knife sharpener, and you can buy it with just a few bucks. It can give a sleek edge to your knife at your home. It works best for fixed blade knives and is considered a great practice for sharpening knives.
To use this knife sharpener, you have to hold your knife at the right angle in the way that the blade is dancing with you and your fingers are resting on the flat side of the blade. Start pushing it away and flip it repeatedly after each stroke. Within just ten strokes, your knife blade will become the sharpest one.
4. Electrical knife sharpener
Nothing can pass by the electrical knife sharpener if we talk about the fastest way to hone your blade. You can restore your blade to good condition by obliterating the old edges of your knife that may become dull due to regular use. If you don’t have a fixed blade knife, this method might not be as effective. But if you have one, the electrical knife sharpener will taper the new edge of your knife.
5. Using a coffee mug
Ceramic cups are found in almost every kitchen and can sharpen your knife’s edges, making it more smooth to use. They are capable of sharpening your knife by removing metal from the blade.
Turn the cup upside down and run your knife across the rough section of the mug that won’t slip off. Carry on doing so until you achieve the desired edge. If this procedure works, you’ll notice some discoloration on the cup, which means your blade is sharpening.
6. Sharpening with a leather belt
Stripping does not sharpen the blade of your knife, but it does realign it and make it appear sharper. Nothing beats that leather belt you’re probably wearing right now for stropping. It is the most basic and quickest method of knife stropping, and most importantly, it’s trusted by professionals.
Make sure there is no stitching on the belt. To realign the blade, move it away from the cutting edge.
7. Utilizing Sandpaper
Sandpaper is an inexpensive and versatile item to have around, and this can do wonders while we talk about knife sharpening. You just have to find the best grit, and you’re good to go. Start from the coarser grit in the start and run your knife against it and work your way up to the finer grit to get the maximum sharpened edges.
8. Sharp it with nail Filer or emery board
After sandpaper, the most effective approach is to use a nail filer or emery board. These items are easily accessible in any home because they are frequently included with the survival kit. This method works exactly like sandpaper; simply run the knife’s cutting edge against a nail filer or emery board to achieve the desired edges.
9. The nylon strap will be enough
You can sharpen your blade’s edge with sandpaper or a leather belt. Meanwhile, if these items aren’t readily available, a nylon strap will suffice. If you’re hiking or camping, your backpack’s nylon strap could come in handy for knife sharpening. Simply run the blade across it to sharpen the knife but remember that you should only move the knife away from the cutting edge.
10. Stropping with cardboard
If you can’t find the nylon strip, don’t worry. Cardboard will also do the trick for you. If you’re an Amazon product buyer, cardboard is something you’ll have lying around your house. Using cardboard might not be as effective as the tools we’ve listed, but it will help you hone your knife to some level.
Your knives need proper care
You don’t need to care for the sharpness of your knives if you’ve been taking care of them. Being the most crucial part of kitchen prep, one can’t afford knives to be dull. Therefore, you should regularly follow these things after using them to avoid any knife problems.
- Wash and dry your knife nicely after slicing any things through it.
- Place them in the appropriate place that is not covered in moisture.
- Sharpen your knife once a week after every sharpening session, wash it off with water, and dry it with a soft towel to remove the excess metal shaving.
- Use them appropriately as there are different knives for the different tasks.
Wrapping it up!
Within this post, we’ve mentioned all the DIY tools to sharpen your knife with some important tips to follow. We hope you’ve gained some insight into how to sharpen a knife at home. Once you start following the things we’ve mentioned, you’ll notice a significant increase in the sharpness of your knife’s blade, resulting in wonderful food preparation!
If you’re looking to buy a quality knife, you can also check our store. We offer perfect products at the best rates.