| There are so many kinds of knife sharpeners out | | | | example, looks like a really fat cookie. A very safe |
| there. It could be exciting just to select one. You could | | | | cookie. Some rectangular stones are like a little thin bar |
| use an electric grinder but that’s pretty major. | | | | of chocolate that comes in a box (anybody hungry?). |
| Only professional sharpeners should go there. Maybe | | | | And most of us have seen tiny sharpening stones in a |
| you’d like an electric sharpener, the ones where | | | | special pocket on a knife belt holster. Don’t |
| all you’ve got to do is just swipe the blade | | | | forget the ones on a key chain. Talk about handy. |
| through. Perhaps you’d like a sharpening guide | | | | Sure isn’t so easy with most other types of |
| system where you’ve got a sharpening stone | | | | knife sharpeners. |
| and an angle guide combined. Ever thought of a | | | | ▪ And best of all, you can take sharpening stones |
| sharpener on a key chain? Imagine that. | | | | practically anywhere you need to go, except maybe |
| Most sharpeners are designed with speed and ease in | | | | underwater or flying through the air. Really almost |
| mind. Most things are. A basic sharpening stone is not. | | | | anywhere. (Outer space isn’t recommended.) |
| Using a sharpening stone isn’t fast. But it | | | | If you do decide to pick up a sharpening stone, |
| isn’t very slow, either. Would you believe that it | | | | you’ll have some choices. There are water |
| could be the fastest, the cheapest and the most | | | | stones, oil stones and diamond stones (don’t get |
| dependable way to sharpen a knife’s edge? | | | | any ideas). Each kind having its own varieties available |
| So what are the “many” advantages of | | | | and each with its own set of advantages. Whichever |
| using sharpening stones over everything else? Let us | | | | type you choose, sharpening stones usually come in |
| count the ways: | | | | two halves. One half has a coarse grade that’ll |
| ▪ It could be the fastest way to sharpen because | | | | get your blade’s edge good and sharp. The |
| you’ll do it right there where you are. You | | | | other half has a much finer grade for refining that |
| needn’t go anywhere or wait to have it done | | | | edge to razor-sharpness. This is real good for kitchen |
| for you. | | | | knives. Just one stone can easily take care of many, if |
| ▪ It could be the cheapest because you | | | | not most, of your every day sharpening needs. |
| won’t have to pay for services rendered. No | | | | The most recent addition to sharpening stones is the |
| gas money spent dropping it off or picking it up. | | | | ceramic sharpening stone. Many people aren't even |
| ▪ They’re more reliable than electric | | | | aware that they're out there. They are only meant to |
| sharpeners. You can take them practically anywhere | | | | sharpen steel knives. They are not meant to sharpen |
| and not be dependant on electric outlets. You | | | | ceramic knives. Because they are much harder than |
| needn’t worry about weakening your edges by | | | | steel, be sure to sharpen your steel knives carefully. |
| accidentally overheating them. Best of all, you | | | | Metal comes off the edge much faster than all other |
| needn’t depend upon a machine to do it for you | | | | sharpening stones and so sharpening happens much |
| because you’ll be able to do it yourself. | | | | faster. |
| Special note: There are high priced electric knife | | | | Using a sharpening stone to sharpen a knife is still the |
| sharpeners out there that claim “never” to | | | | most dependable and reliable way to sharpen your |
| detemper you knife edges. I can’t speak on the | | | | blade edge. It’s very simple. Very effective. It |
| reliability of such claims. Just be very cautious if you | | | | could be the fastest, the most inexpensive way to |
| decide to use one. | | | | sharpen knives. When you know what you’re |
| ▪ Sharpening stones are more dependable than | | | | doing, you’ll save your knives, too. Be very |
| automatic sharpeners. You’ll be one skilled | | | | careful. |
| individual if you’re able to maintain the same | | | | Len Q. is a master blade sharpener and an adventurer |
| sharpening angle for both sides of the edge each time | | | | who strives to protect the natural world. If you would |
| you swipe the knife. Maintaining the right position from | | | | like to learn more about |
| tip to heel isn’t so easy. If you haven’t | | | | ? Knife Sharpening: How to Sharpen Knives, Maintain |
| mastered it, the edge may seem sharp initially, but | | | | and Store Them |
| you’ll need to swipe it again before you know it. | | | | ? Tests for Sharpness, Steeling, Stropping and more |
| ▪ Many sharpening stones come in compact sizes. | | | | ? Sharpening Other Edges |
| They could fit right in your hand. An axe stone, for | | | | (i.e. |