The Blunt Plane and the Missing Whetstone: Sharpening with a ‘Paper’ Trick

The grater is an essential tool in any kitchen, but over time it can become dull and less effective at grating vegetables. Learn this incredibly useful trick from Bach Hoa XANH to sharpen your grater and make it as good as new!

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Also known as a grater, this tool is commonly used in daily food preparation in every household. However, with frequent use, the grater’s surface will gradually dull, making it challenging for cooks to grate or shred ingredients effectively.

The design of this type of grater is not suitable for sharpening with specialized tools. Therefore, Bach Hoa XANH will guide you through the following method to keep your grater sharp.

Instructions to Fix a Dull Grater

What You’ll Need

  • 1 dull grater that needs sharpening
  • 1 sheet of fine-grit sandpaper
  • 1 pencil
  • 1 small hand saw

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Using the scissors, cut a rectangular piece from the sandpaper.

Step 2: Take the rectangular sandpaper and wrap it around the small hand saw, as shown in the image.

Step 3: Place the sandpaper-wrapped saw between the grater’s teeth and begin pushing it back and forth, similar to the motion of sharpening a knife.

Step 4: Turn the grater over and repeat the sharpening motion on the other side of the grating surface.

Sharpen for about 1-2 minutes or until you feel the grater is sharp enough. And that’s it! Your old, dull grater is now as good as new.

We hope that through this article, you’ve learned a useful trick to make your kitchen tasks easier and less frustrating. Good luck!

Frequently asked questions

The ‘blunt plane’ is a term used to describe the flattened, dull edge of a knife that results from improper sharpening or prolonged use without maintenance. It occurs when the knife’s edge is rolled over and flattened instead of forming a sharp, defined vertex. To correct and prevent this issue, whetstones are used to sharpen knives by abrading the blade at a precise angle, creating a sharp, durable edge.

A sharp knife edge is essential for several reasons. Firstly, a sharp blade requires less force to cut, making food preparation easier and safer. A dull knife can slip and cause accidents. Secondly, a sharp edge produces cleaner cuts, which is aesthetically pleasing and also helps maintain the integrity of the food’s texture and flavor. Finally, a sharp knife is more efficient, requiring less time and effort to complete tasks, making it a valuable asset in any kitchen.

The ‘paper trick’ is a sharpening technique where a piece of paper is folded multiple times to create a thick, dense edge. This edge is then used as a makeshift whetstone by dragging the knife’s blade across it in a slicing motion. The advantage of this method is that it can quickly remove small amounts of metal to restore a reasonably sharp edge. However, it is not suitable for heavily damaged knives and does not create as refined an edge as a proper whetstone.

Aside from the ‘paper trick’ and whetstones, there are other options for knife sharpening. One common method is the use of a sharpening steel, which is a rod of steel with a fine grit surface that realigns the knife’s edge. Electric or manual knife sharpeners are also available, offering guided slots that simplify the sharpening process. For beginners, these alternatives can be easier to use and provide satisfactory results, although they may not offer the same level of precision and control as whetstones.

The frequency of knife sharpening depends on several factors, including the type of knife, the frequency of use, and the tasks it performs. As a general guideline, a knife should be sharpened when it starts to feel dull or struggle to cut through its intended materials. Signs that indicate the need for sharpening include difficulty slicing through food, the need to apply excessive force, or the presence of a noticeable ‘blunt plane’ along the edge.
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