A knife is one of the most used tools in every kitchen. From onion to meat, a sharp knife is essential for best cutting performance. However, with constant use, the knife gets dull and therefore needs to be sharpened. There are different techniques used for sharpening knives. But the question is, can you over sharpen a knife? What are the advantages and disadvantages of over-sharpening a knife? Let’s try to find an answer to the question in this brief knife sharpening article.
Can You Over Sharpen a Knife?
The process of sharpening a knife is held to grind away metal using an abrasive substrate. It helps to make the material of the blade sharp, new, and shiny. Do you know professional chefs sharpen the blade of their knives two to three times per year? This is because they used knives more frequently as compared to others.
Over sharpening the knife is not recommended at all. If you over sharpen the knife, it can be dangerous to use. Also, it will decrease the lifespan of the blade.
To maintain the cutting edge, chefs hone the blades for straightening them. Honing is a decent choice for maintaining your knife. However, frequently sharpening may lead to staining the blade.
You need to understand the difference between a meat cleaver and a Chinese chef knife. A Chinese knife is commonly used in house kitchens, whereas professional chefs use meat cleavers in restaurants. Both are different in many ways.
A Chinese knife may need sharpening per month or as per usage demands, but a meat cleaver may not even need to sharpen in a year. The first thing you need for a dull knife is to horn its blade. If the cutting edges are still not sharp enough, then you can go for the sharpening.
Best Tools to Sharpen a Knife
There are varieties of tools available to sharpen the knife blade. Take a look at the top four tools to sharpen your knife.
Ceramic
Have you ever tried to sharpen a knife using a ceramic utensil? It may sound weird, but you can use a ceramic dish or mug for this purpose. However, it is essential to ensure that only the rough edge will be glazed.
For professional work, you can also use a ceramic rod. To sharpen the knife with a ceramic mug, make the mug upside down on a flat surface. Notice the ring surface at the bottom, which is rough and rigid. Set your knife at a 15 to 20 degrees angle.
Make sure to keep the blade tip away from for on the mug. Move the knife over the mug in a round motion. Repeat the process on each side three to four times.
Don’t use this technique on your fancy cutlery, as it can damage it.
Whetstone
One of the most effective tools to sharpen a knife is the whetstone. You can easily find whetstone online and in a nearby store. There are different materials used to manufacture the whetstone. However, just like Best Japanese knife set, the country is also known for producing high-quality whetstones.
Although there are cheap and expensive whetstones available, we recommend starting with the cheap whetstone. Once you master the sharpening skill, you can upgrade the whetstone.
Select a smooth surface and place a wet towel on it. Now put a whetstone on the towel. Due to the damp surface, the whetstone will not slide. Now pour some water on the blade to make the friction lower. Follow the same procedure used on the ceramic mug.
Electric Sharpener
Electric sharpeners are readily available on the market. If you don’t want to take any extra pressure, this is a perfect option for you. Although the sharpening process is almost the same, it offers fast speed to save both time and energy.
The best feature of an electric knife sharpener is that it has both honing and sharpening slots. All you need is to drag your knife through the desired slot, and it will automatically give your polished knife edges.
Don’t forget to read the user manual before using this type of knife sharpener. Some of the common mistakes include twisting, downward, or pausing the stroke of the knife.
Other Rocks and Stones
You can also use rocks and stones to sharpen a knife. Find the one with a flat surface for best results. Make the knife slightly angel and rub it gently on the surface, as mentioned above. Rub both sides of the blade for at least 3-5 minutes. Make sure to wash it after sharpening. Check out the dishwasher safe knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many times should you sharpen a knife?
It is recommended to sharpen your knife 2 to 3 times every year. Make sure to hone the knife 2 to 3 times per week. However, sharpening the knife after a couple of weeks is not a good idea. If you do so, it will result in losing a few steel plates every time. Ultimately the quality of the knife will reduce over time.
Before you choose a sharpening procedure, it is essential to know that you should do honing first before sharpening the blade. If the knife is still not good for cutting, you should go for sharpening then.
Do you need to clean the knife after sharpening?
You should always clean and sanitize your knife after sharpening. During sharpening, you will notice the mixture of fine stone, metal, and water that will have the consistency of a paste. Don’t remove it during the sharpening process. It will help to achieve your final edge.
Final Words
Chopping food with a dull knife is very difficult. Knife sharpeners are, therefore best tools to keep your knife in the best possible shape. Depending on your cutting needs, you can sharpen the knife. However, frequent sharpening can remove blade material and shorten the life span of the knife. Make sure to hone the knife after every 2-4 uses to keep it sharp.