Here’s how to sharpen your knives before the turkey hits the table.
Sharpening knives may not be on the top of your to-do list, but it should be.
More importantly, dull knives are dangerous.
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Over time that edge develops nicks, rolls over, becomes uneven, or eventually grows dull.
The knife will no longer cut smoothly and may not even cut at all.
When sharpening by hand, you want to use a consistent angle.
This will make it more apparent if you are evenly sharpening the blade.
There are many tools out there for sharpening knives, from basic sharpening stones to fancy electric sharpeners.
Consider what you’re trying to accomplish before selecting the tool for the job.
A honing rod is best for basic upkeep while a stone can be used to sharpen a dull knife.
For polishing, use 4000 grit and higher.
You may be able to find a two-sided stone with one side for sharpening and a second for polishing.
This lubricates the stone and makes sharpening easier and more effective.
Place the middle fingers of your other hand in the center of the blade to lightly apply pressure.
Flip the knife over and sharpen.
Step 5: Clean The Blade
Wipe the blade with a clean cloth.
it’s possible for you to then test your knifeon a tomatoor onion to see how well it slices.
Sharpen again if needed.
Wash and dry the knife before storing it away.
Method 2: Sharpening With Sandpaper And Mousepad
Don’t have a whetstone on hand?
Believe it or not, you might sharpen your knives with a piece of sandpaper and mousepad.
Some find this method more forgiving than a stone because the soft mousepad results in a more-rounded edge.
A mousepad with a smooth surface works best.
Step 1: Set Up
Place the mousepad on a table and the sandpaper on top.
see to it to draw the knife all the way out to the tip of the blade.
Step 4: Clean The Blade
Wipe the blade with a clean cloth.
you’re free to then test your knife out and repeat sharpening as necessary.
Wash and dry the knife before storing it away.
Hold the knife in your dominant hand by the handle.
Then flip the knife and repeat on the other side.
Step 3: Clean The Blade
Wipe the blade with a clean cloth.
Wash and dry the knife before storing it away.
Set the tool to the “sharpen” position and choose an angle of 20 degrees.
Step 2: Sharpen The Knife
Turn on the tool.
Step 3: Polish The Knife
Switch to a finer grit for polishing.
Alternate which side of the knife you are sharpening with each pass so that you maintain an even edge.
Wipe the blade with a clean cloth and test the knife.
Wash and dry the knife before storing it away.
The knife must already be sharpened and lightly polished before you begin.
Then flip the knife and reverse, carefully drawing it toward you.
Use gentle, even pressure and keep your wrist steady.
Monitor your progress to ensure you have a polished edge of even width down the length of the blade.
Repeat until you have a mirror polish and sharp edge.
Common Mistakes In Sharpening
Sharpening by hand is a skill that takes some time to develop.
Using excessive pressure will wear off too much material or even damage the blade.
Rolling the knife at the end of each pass results in a curved edge and could impact the tip.
To get in some practice, use a cheap knife that no one cares about.
Sharpen knives when they stop cutting well or develop nicks.
In between sharpening, you could use a honing rod to preserve the edge.
Serrated knives usually hold their edge longer, but eventually do need sharpening.
