Use the straightener correctly

How to use the straightener correctly? Do you know how to use the straightener? What is the chair for? Does the sharpener sharpen the knife? These are very common questions for those who are starting to be interested in knife edge. Let's answer them all!

The sharpener, also known as fusil, is a tool used to keep the edge of knives sharp. It is not used to sharpen knives in the traditional sense (that is, removing material from the blade), but rather to realign and straighten the edge of the knife that can bend or warp with use.

Knives are generally made of a softer metal to facilitate sharpening, consequently the edge bends, or misaligns, easily. Therefore, frequent use of the straightener is necessary.

How to use the straightener correctly?

First of all, do everything safely, make sure the area around you is free of obstacles and that you have a firm grip on the sharpener and knife. Now let's go to the steps.

Positioning

The base of the straightener should be firm in your dominant hand.

Correct angulation

Keep the knife at an angle of approximately 20 degrees to the sharpener. This is the ideal angle to realign the wire without damaging it.

Blade movement

Start with the heel of the blade (the part closest to the handle) in contact with the sharpener and slide the knife down and out along the sharpener, ending with the tip of the blade. Movement should be smooth and controlled.

Repetition

Repeat the process on the other side of the blade, maintaining the same angle and movement. Alternate sides of the blade, making about 5 to 10 passes on each side, or until you feel that the knife edge is realigned and sharp.

Verification

After using the sharpener, test the edge of the knife on a piece of paper or soft food to ensure it is sharp enough.

Additional Tips

• Use the sharpener regularly, ideally at the end of each time you use the knife, to keep the edge always aligned and sharp.
• For knives that are very dull or damaged, you will need a stone sharpener or a more abrasive sharpening system to remove material and recreate the edge before using the knife for regular maintenance.
• Do not apply too much pressure when using the sharpener, as this may damage the knife's edge. The movement should be firm but controlled.
• Keeping your knives sharp not only makes cutting easier, but it's also safer, as dull knives require more force and are more likely to slip and cause accidents.

How does the sharpener work?

The sharpener works through a process of realigning the knife edge. Unlike traditional sharpeners that remove material from the blade to create a new edge, the sharpener straightens the micro bends and imperfections that occur during use of the knife.

Steel structure and material

The straightener is generally made of hard steel and can have a smooth or ridged finish. Some modern sharpeners are also made of ceramic or have a diamond coating for an additional light abrasive effect, meaning as well as straightening the edges of the edge it also removes some of the metal to re-edge the knife. You will only need to re-edge a knife when it loses its ability to cut efficiently, even after it has been realigned with a sharpener.

When to re-edge the knife?

Inefficient Cutting

If the knife does not cut easily through soft foods, such as tomatoes or onions, and requires more force than usual.

Slipping

If the blade slides instead of cutting, especially on smooth surfaces.

Paper Test

If the knife cannot cut a piece of paper easily or leaves uneven tears in the paper.

Visible Damage

If there is visible damage to the knife edge, such as nicks, dents or serrations.

Frequent Use

If the knife is used very frequently and for intensive tasks, it may need to be re-edged more regularly.

How to Redo the Knife Edge?

Whetstone

Starret double sided sharpening stone

Double-sided sharpening stone for grinding and finishing.

Characteristics:

• Double grain: Side for roughing 120 and the other for finishing 320.
• Dimensions: 200mm length. x 50mm wide. x 25mm high. (8'' x 2” x 1”).

Recovers and remakes the angle and cutting edge.

R$ 33,00

Buy now

The most traditional and effective tool for redoing the thread. Whetstones come in different grits, with a lower grit (coarse) used to remove material and recreate the edge, while a higher grit (fine) is used to polish and sharpen the edge.

Electric sharpeners

Convenient and fast devices, having different sharpening stages that recreate and refine the blade's edge.

Manual sharpeners

Bench or portable sharpeners that use abrasives to remake the edge. They are easier to use than sharpening stones, but may not offer the same precision.

How to use a whetstone

1) If the sharpening stone is the type that needs to be wet, soak it in water for about 10 to 15 minutes before using. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

2) Keep the knife blade at a constant angle (usually between 15 and 20 degrees) to the stone.

3) Pass the blade across the stone, from the base to the tip, applying even pressure. Alternate the blade so that both sides sharpen equally.

4) After recreating the edge with a lower grain stone, use a higher grain stone to thin and polish the edge.