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