Restoring a sharp edge on your knife can be accomplished in three ways. Sharpening will restore a damaged or dulled edge, honing will re-align a edge with slight ware, and honing is an optional step for a razor sharp result.
- Sharpen
- Depending on use, the average knife needs to be sharpened every 1-2 months. Sharpening, is the process of restoring a damaged or dulled edge and requires a fairly coarse abrasive such as a diamond plate, stone, or abrasive belt. During this process you are aiming to repair damage by removing material to restore the edge of your knife.
- Hone
- Hone your knife on a weekly basis. Honing does not remove much material but it does a great job of aligning the edge of your knife and removing any rolls there may be in the blade. If done regularly honing will keep you from having to sharpen as frequently.
- Strop
- Strop daily if you prefer a razor sharp edge on your blade. This is an optional step. Stropping polishes the edge of a blade. Not all knife users prefer a polished edge, in some cases a "toothy" edge can be more effective - like if you're cutting a zip tie.
A sharp knife is a safe knife. We've all heard it. Incorporating these steps into you routine will ensure you have the edge you need on your knife whenever you need to use it.
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