Using a mechanical knife sharpener is a straightforward process typically involving a few simple steps to restore a sharp edge to your blade.
Mechanical sharpeners usually feature slots with abrasive materials designed to grind or hone the knife edge at the correct angle. While designs vary, the fundamental technique for using a pull-through type involves drawing the blade through these slots.
Steps for Sharpening Your Knife
Based on common practice and the provided information, the process can be broken down into these key steps:
Step 1: Sharpening the Blade
Start with the coarse or ceramic sharpening slot (often the one designed for initial sharpening or correcting dull edges).
- Insert the knife blade into the chosen slot, ensuring the blade sits properly within the guides.
- Pull the blade through the slot towards you, applying moderate downward pressure.
- Sharpen both sides of the blade evenly. As noted in the reference, you should make an equal number of times passing the blade through the slot for each side of the blade to ensure an even edge.
- Repeat this process, alternating sides, until the blade feels sharper. The number of passes depends on how dull the knife is.
Step 2: Honing the Edge
Once the primary sharpening is complete, you move to the finer slot, often labeled "fine" or "ceramic."
- Then run the blade through the fine setting once or twice to hone The Edge. This step doesn't remove much material but refines and aligns the edge, making it smoother and sharper.
- Use light pressure during this step.
After honing, you can test the blade's sharpness. If needed, repeat the honing step or, if the edge is still dull, go back to the sharpening step with fewer passes.
Important Tips
- Always pull the blade towards you through the slots, following the angle set by the sharpener. Do not saw back and forth.
- Keep your fingers away from the blade's edge during the process.
- Clean your knife blade after sharpening to remove any metal filings.
- Different sharpeners may have slightly different instructions; always refer to the manufacturer's guide for your specific tool.
Following these steps helps ensure your knife blade is sharpened effectively and safely using a mechanical sharpener.
