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Knives are one of the most prized possessions. Sharpening knives with rods is a great way to keep your blades in good shape. Knives are used for many purposes, so they must always be sharp and ready to go. The process of knife sharpening should be done regularly. With this guide, you will learn how to sharpen knives using a rod!
It can be frustrating when your knife becomes dull, and you need to spend hours sharpening it by hand when there is an easier way!
A knife sharpening rod is a handy tool for those who want to sharpen their knives at home. The rods are available in different sizes and materials, so it’s important to know what you need before making your purchase.
Read About: How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife
The easiest method is using an electric sharpener. This device will spin the blade while passing it through the slots to hone and effectively create a new cutting edge on your knife. You should always follow manufacturer instructions when using this tool because you could potentially damage the blade if done incorrectly.
Different Types of Rods
- You can use a bamboo rod because they have softer tips that don’t damage the blade as much as metal rods.
- On the other hand, a steel rod will last longer than a bamboo one and can be used on any knife without damaging it too much.
- A ceramic rod is another option that will last a long time. However, it can’t be used on serrated blades or scissors.
Knife sharpening is something that people do not know how to do themselves. If you are one of these people, there are a few different ways to sharpen your knife.
Using a Steel Rod
The first way is with the use of a steel rod. This rod has grooves or teeth on each side and is used by running it down the length of the blade at an angle to remove any nicks in the edge created during use. It removes metal from both sides so that they match up evenly when done properly, which will help prevent food from sticking to your blade during slicing.
You can use a rod that has been ground on one side at about 30 degrees from the vertical axis. The rod should be made of hard steel that’s less than 1/64th inch thick so that it will not deform when placed under heavy loads while being used as a honing guide. You can easily find this type of steel at a hardware store.
Sharpening knives with rods will give them a good edge and make them use easier.
- First, you will need a rod of some sort. This can be made of ceramic or diamond steel.
- After this, place the knife on the surface to face away from you, and let your hand rest comfortably on top of it with your thumb resting along the spine near where you would sharpen to give yourself more leverage.
- Then, begin to move the knife back and forth across the rod at a 20-degree angle. Do this for both sides of your blade until you have reached desired sharpness. This should only take about ten minutes or so before your knife is completely sharpened!
Remember that if you are using ceramic rods, they will wear down over time just like any other tool in a kitchen, which means that eventually, it may need replacing.
Some Other Methods
There are some other methods to sharpen a knife using stones or sandpaper. Let us tell you about them.
Using Stones
The second way you can use rods for sharpening knives involves water stones, oil stones, or diamond stones that have been lubricated before starting the process. These materials come in various grits, from very fine to coarse, so be sure that you match them appropriately depending upon how dull your blades are currently feeling. One thing about these products that makes them special is that they are non-disposable, meaning that you can continue sharpening knives for many years with them. Not only is this type of tool cost-effective, but it is also environmentally friendly because you will be reducing the amount of waste in landfills.
Using Sandpaper
The third way to sharpen different types of blades using rods involves wet/dry sandpaper and a block made of wood or metal, depending on your desired results. This process requires patience so take your time when applying pressure while running the blade across the surface multiple times until you feel like it has been sharpened properly based on how well it cuts through food items without requiring too much effort from yourself, which could lead to injury.
Hire a professional to sharpen your knives for you! This is recommended if you do not have the time or confidence to hone, sharpen or strop your own knife.
