How to

The Secret to Sharpening Dull Knives: A Household Item That Works Wonders.

Today, I'd like to share with you a simple yet effective trick to keep your knives sharp without a whetstone.

3 September, 2024

Many people would opt to spend money on sharpening their kitchen knives or even purchasing new ones when faced with dull blades. But this can be quite wasteful. Today, let me share with you a simple and effective trick to keep your knives sharp without the need for a whetstone.

First, we need to prepare a ceramic bowl or plate. Turn it over, and you’ll notice a circular pedestal in the center. This part will act as our sharpening stone.

Combine some salt, a bit of toothpaste, and an appropriate amount of white vinegar on this pedestal, and then mix it all together.

Salt can activate the steel, toothpaste contains abrasive substances that increase friction, and acetic acid in white vinegar effectively removes rust from knives.

Next, dip a sponge into this homemade solution and apply it to your knife’s blade.

After that, sharpen your knife on the circular pedestal of the ceramic bowl, moving in one direction only. Remember, you must sharpen in a single direction without going back and forth. Sharpen each side for about 3 minutes, and you’ll find your knife as good as new.

Additionally, when sharpening, it’s important to tilt the knife slightly, at about a 10-degree angle. If you sharpen horizontally or with a smaller angle, the knife’s edges will become thinner and more prone to chipping when cutting hard food items. Conversely, a larger angle will result in a thicker edge, leading to quicker dulling. A 10-degree angle strikes a good balance between sharpness and durability.

With this simple method, you’ll find your kitchen knives incredibly sharp, making food preparation a breeze.

This technique is not only simple and easy to execute, but it’s also cost-effective and perfect for daily use at home. Regular and proper sharpening will ensure the longevity of your knives and make your culinary endeavors much more enjoyable.

Now, if your knives have rusted due to prolonged periods of non-use or improper storage, you can use rice water. The starch and minerals present in the water from rinsing rice are effective in removing rust.

First, remove any oil residue on the knife, as this can create a protective layer that hinders the rust removal process. Then, soak the rusty knife in rice water for at least 3 hours.

Finally, take the knife out of the rice water and rinse it with clean water. You’ll be amazed to see the rust disappear, leaving your knife looking brand new.

Frequently asked questions

You can use a common household item, such as a coffee mug or a ceramic plate. Simply run the blade along the unglazed bottom or rim of the mug or plate in a sweeping motion, maintaining a slight angle. This will help restore your knife’s edge and improve its sharpness significantly.

The unglazed portion of a ceramic mug or plate has a rough texture that acts as a makeshift whetstone. When you run the blade along this surface, it helps realign and smooth out the knife’s edge, effectively sharpening it.

For most knives, a good starting angle is around 20 degrees. Hold the knife at this angle against the sharpening surface and sweep it across in a smooth, consistent motion. You can adjust the angle slightly depending on the type of knife and your personal preference for the edge sharpness.

Yes, as long as the mug or plate has an unglazed bottom or rim, it should work well for sharpening. Avoid using glazed surfaces as they are too smooth and will not provide the necessary friction to sharpen the blade.

It depends on how frequently you use your knives and the type of cutting tasks you perform. For regular kitchen knives used for everyday cooking, sharpening once every few months should suffice. If you notice the knife’s performance declining or the blade feeling dull, you can sharpen it more frequently.