CB3
01-22-2013, 11:45 AM
As a cub scout, I learned the basics of sharpening a knife. Since then, I have expanded my knowledge and equipment to become competent at sharpening most anything from a lawn mower blade to a fine kitchen knife. Others who borrow my edges, like axes or chainsaws or the knives I carry daily, almost always remark on how sharp they are.
As a Bon Vivant Warrior talent, I feel this is necessary, not only as a practical time and money saver that makes one safer and more efficient with edges, but also because I have found it makes a guy even more attractive to gals.
My wife's first husband left her with some good professional butcher knives, but they were almost uselessly dull when we started dating. I sharpened them, and love blossomed. I liked that she had good knives (among other things), and she liked that I could keep them sharp. We still bring this up today 25 years later as one of the foundations of our marriage.
When I acquire a knife or tool that is far gone edge-wise, I will take it to my local knife shop where he will grind a very good edge for $5. It saves me time and aggravation. I can then further tune the edge and keep it sharp after that.
I keep a ceramic rod polishing set in the kitchen. I use about four knives regularly, and these get the rod treatment almost weekly. They go to heavier grit to re-profile the edge about two or three times a year. Other knives my wife uses are often cheaper stainless steel that do not get or hold an edge well, but I still keep them sharper than the average drawer full of such dull instruments.
For those who have not yet acquired this skill, it is worth the time and effort. Dull edges are a hassle and relatively unsafe to use. There are plenty of sites out on the net about sharpening tools and skills. It helps to find some that examine edges under microscopes to get a real feel for what you will be doing.
A proper set of sharpening equipment costs less than one high end knife, and you will use it for decades. Stay away from the cheap, gimmicky, quick fixes. They are cheap and gimmicky. Then practice. The rewards are immediate. When you are competent, sharpen knives for family members or neighbors. They'll really appreciate it.
Stay sharp, brothers.
As a Bon Vivant Warrior talent, I feel this is necessary, not only as a practical time and money saver that makes one safer and more efficient with edges, but also because I have found it makes a guy even more attractive to gals.
My wife's first husband left her with some good professional butcher knives, but they were almost uselessly dull when we started dating. I sharpened them, and love blossomed. I liked that she had good knives (among other things), and she liked that I could keep them sharp. We still bring this up today 25 years later as one of the foundations of our marriage.
When I acquire a knife or tool that is far gone edge-wise, I will take it to my local knife shop where he will grind a very good edge for $5. It saves me time and aggravation. I can then further tune the edge and keep it sharp after that.
I keep a ceramic rod polishing set in the kitchen. I use about four knives regularly, and these get the rod treatment almost weekly. They go to heavier grit to re-profile the edge about two or three times a year. Other knives my wife uses are often cheaper stainless steel that do not get or hold an edge well, but I still keep them sharper than the average drawer full of such dull instruments.
For those who have not yet acquired this skill, it is worth the time and effort. Dull edges are a hassle and relatively unsafe to use. There are plenty of sites out on the net about sharpening tools and skills. It helps to find some that examine edges under microscopes to get a real feel for what you will be doing.
A proper set of sharpening equipment costs less than one high end knife, and you will use it for decades. Stay away from the cheap, gimmicky, quick fixes. They are cheap and gimmicky. Then practice. The rewards are immediate. When you are competent, sharpen knives for family members or neighbors. They'll really appreciate it.
Stay sharp, brothers.