A guide to tungsten knife sharpeners

A dull knife is as good as having no knife at all. Using a dull knife is very dangerous. Injuries are more likely to happen with dull knives than with sharp ones. To keep all knives always sharp, use a tungsten knife sharpener. This product is a very handy tool that effectively and safely sharpens knives, and a few other things like scissors and various blades.

Key features of a tungsten blade sharpener

This tool is the best one to use on dull knives. It will easily and rapidly restore the sharp edge of any blade.

A tungsten knife sharpener will restore a workable sharpness to any blade in moments. With careful, smooth strokes, a dull bade can be turned into a razor-sharped edge.

The sharpener comes with an abrasive surface. The metal gets shaved off in minute amounts as it passes through the sharpener. The abrasive may either be coarse or fine.

Coarse abrasives give a quick sharpening in a few strokes, removing flattened areas on the blade’s edge. Fine abrasives are for finishing and polishing the blade.

How a tungsten knife sharpener works

This type of knife or blade sharpener hones the edge of a blade by removing bits of metal. This is like shaving off minute metal particles that will result to a sharp edge.

Most sharpeners come with various slots. There are often 2 or 3 slots. One slot is the coarse slot and the other is the fine slot. The third slot is often the ceramic slot. This third slot is only used to sharpen ceramic knives.

To use, simply slide the blade edge first through the coarse slot. A few slides will do the trick. This coarse slot is meant to fix any nicks and flattened portions of the blade. This slot will quickly sharpen a dull edge. Next, slide the blade through the fine slot. This is the finishing and polishing stage.

When sharpening, the blade can be slid through these slots for any number of times. Keep sliding and checking to see if the desired sharpness is achieved.

Most people are content with the coarse slot for a good reason. It is quick and the sharpness is often good enough for immediate use. However, running the blade through the fine slot will make the sharp edge really fine and polished. This will help polish the sharpness and possibly keep it sharper longer — that is, if the blade is used properly.

Tips for using tungsten knife sharpener

To get the sharpest edge on a knife and any other blade, learn to properly use a blade or knife sharpener. Safety is also a primary consideration.

When sharpening, use long, smooth strokes. Avoid rapid, jerking movements when sharpening with a tungsten knife sharpener. This can cause nicks on the edge of the blade. Strokes should also be soft to avoid gouges from forming. Placing too much pressure on the blade during sharpening will also create a very rough edge.

For safety of use, the edge of the blade being sharpened should be pointing away from the body. Of course, make sure it isn’t pointing towards anyone. A stroke made a bit too forcefully can make the blade fly away and hit someone accidentally.

Hold the knife or blade firmly. Make sure your grip is secure. The handle of both the knife (or blade) and the tungsten knife sharpener should not be wet or oily. Make sure all the handles and your hand are dry to avoid slippage.

Aftercare for a tungsten knife sharpener

Aftercare is another important step in order to keep the knife or blade sharpener in good condition. It isn’t just the knife or blade that has to be well-maintained. Otherwise, the knife sharpener will only be of good use in a short amount of time.

Clean the sharpener with a damp clean cloth. It isn’t advisable to wash it with soap, as residue can compromise the function of the sharpener. Soap residue can also cause corrosion and damage such as rust. Do not place it in a dishwasher or immerse in water.

Store the tungsten blade sharpener in a clean, dry place. Moist or wet storage areas will cause molds and rust to form on the sharpener. This will compromise the function and life of the sharpener.