How to sharpen knives with a knife sharpener?

Even people who rarely cook have a knife. This is perhaps the most important tool in the kitchen of any housewife. Over time, the properties of the blade are lost: when cutting vegetables and other products, the steel deforms, the blade becomes dull, and cooking becomes a real torment. Sharpening helps to restore the shape and properties of the deformed blade.

An important role in the sharpness and life of the knife is played by the type of steel or materials from which it is made. This is worth paying attention to when choosing the way in which the blade will be sharpened. Most often, steel for knives is made from an alloy of iron and carbon. Various metal impurities are added to such alloys. It can be chromium, nickel, molybdenum. Sharpness, durability, formation of plaque and rust - the quality of the steel is responsible for all this.

For example, an alloy with added chromium or nickel can oxidize the blade over time. There will be a metallic taste in the food. But such products remain sharp for a long time. Steel with carbon and molybdenum will help you avoid this kind of trouble. Knives made from such alloys are the least susceptible to corrosion.

First, you need to figure out how to properly sharpen the blades with a sharpener, and how to set the angle correctly for convenient and safe work. You should know that there is no single exact angle value to sharpen the point. Its value depends on the material from which the knife is made, as well as the purpose of the tool. The universal and most optimal angle depending on the purpose of the blade:

• an ordinary kitchen knife used for domestic purposes - 30-35 °;
• fish knife - 25 °;
• carving knife - 25-30 °;
• for cutting and shredding vegetables - 35 °;
• table knife - 55-60 °.

Nowadays there are a lot of sharpening methods. These are grinding stones, and bars, and round rods made of steel with a handle, and even machines with abrasive wheels. Roller sharpening is more popular among housewives. It is very convenient to use them. A small device consists of special millstones (rollers), which are coated with abrasive or diamond spraying.

As a rule, such rollers are initially located at an angle of 45 ° to the blade, and it is no longer possible to set the sharpening angle yourself. Since the sharpening angle is 40-50 ° to the cutting edge, it is impossible to sharpen scissors, table knives or other cutting tools on it. And there are also knife sharpening systems. They allow you to adjust the sharpening angle. With their help, you can get a very good result.

Such a grinding system consists of a set of bars. In addition to bars (3-5 pcs.), The set includes abrasive pastes. The main advantage of blade sharpening systems is the ability to process any cutting products and devices, even ceramic. The systems are durable and safe, making it possible to set the exact angle. By replacing the sharpening stone, you can get the perfect blade sharpness. Sharpening systems are quite expensive, and they are used more in production than in everyday life.

A more modern and simpler method is to use Chinese round sharpener, which will become an indispensable assistant at home. It's pretty simple to use. It is only necessary to insert the knife between the two abrasive rollers. This versatile device is suitable for those who want to quickly cope with the procedure.

High-quality and fast results can be obtained using electrical appliance. With an electric sharpener, in a few minutes you can return the knives to their former sharpness, as well as grind them. A special automated system automatically chooses the sharpening angle, which makes it even more convenient to use.

Pocket sharpeners, also called manual sharpeners, are small in size and can be carried with you. Most often they have a ring on them, which makes them look more like a keychain. Small-sized sharpeners are of several types:

• whetstone or stones;
• mini brass knuckles;
• improvised means.

Sharpening stones are capable of sharpening not only the blades of various knives, but also scissors and other products. Sharpening stones are divided into several types. There are so-called Japanese water stones. They are available with different grain sizes of the abrasive surface, which helps to quickly sharpen a knife or any other tool in a short time. In addition, such products have a budgetary cost, and the service life is very long.

Abrasives of this type should be soaked in water for 20 minutes before use. Air should come out of the stone. If the stone is used dry, the abrasive will quickly become clogged with dust and steel particles, the stone will become smooth and lose its properties.

The knuckle sharpener is the cheapest device of all. This most budget model is a good option for temporary use. This sharpening is suitable for use in the country or during outdoor recreation. The handle of the device is put on the hand like brass knuckles. The second hand holds the knife and guides it over the cutting area. Usually a knuckle sharpener has 2 zones: dressing and polishing.This sharpening also has a drawback: when turning, the knife can slip and injure the hand.

Improvised tools will also become indispensable helpers if there is no special sharpener. It could be an ordinary cobblestone, a second knife, a leather belt or glass. In all cases, you should be careful. You can also sharpen the blade on the protruding ring at the bottom of the ceramic plate. The main thing is that the surface is a little rough.

Triple knife sharpeners are gaining popularity. They are easy to clean and operate. The device consists of a handle, at the end of which there is an abrasive material, divided into 3 grooves (connectors): with diamond chips, tungsten steel, and ceramics. Diamond plating helps damaged blades regain their shape. The tungsten steel connector gives the blades a V-shape, and the ceramic finishes the process with a high-quality polish.

For information on how to sharpen knives correctly, see the next video.