Many people tend to use the wrong tools when doing various jobs, and sharpening knives is no exception. Unfortunately, many people attempt to use honing rods to sharpen their knives. Today, we at The Mobile Edge would like to discuss why honing rods should not be used for the job.
What Does a Honing Rod Do?
When you use your knife, in addition to coming into contact with various ingredients, it also comes into contact into the cutting board. As you cut and run the knife along the cutting board, the edge of the knife folds over to one side, leading to a dull sensation. This is the moment when using a honing rod becomes essential. Almost everyone has one at home, often included in a knife set acquired decades ago during marriage, yet it may not see frequent use. If you’ve attempted to use it a few times with little success, it’s crucial to understand that, contrary to popular belief, a honing rod (steel) is not a sharpener. It doesn’t remove material from the knife; instead, it realigns the edge, restoring the steel to its original position and significantly improving the cutting feel. Honing rods prove beneficial for swiftly revitalizing the knife’s edge during prep work. They are especially useful for those who are not adept at sharpening their own knives, providing a way to extend the edge’s lifespan before professional sharpening is required.
Do You Really Need a Ceramic Honing Rod?
So, let’s look into what a ceramic honing rod is used for. Think of the Ceramic rod as your knives’ equivalent of a toothbrush for your teeth. Just as you brush your teeth to reduce the frequency of dental visits, using a honing rod helps you avoid the need for frequent knife sharpening. Unlike a traditional European knife steel, a ceramic honing rod is crafted from a tougher material with a smoother surface. This design makes it particularly suitable for harder steel types and delicate edges, commonly found on Japanese knives. While ceramic is known for its fragility, our honing rods incorporate a steel core to enhance durability and withstand accidental drops.
What Does a Ceramic Honing Rod Do?
These differ significantly from steel or diamond rods, which have the capacity to remove a considerable amount of steel from your blade. As you use your knife, it forms minuscule burrs, which are small, rough sections of the edge that have become misaligned. The ceramic rod delicately nudges them back into place or eliminates them entirely, aligning the edge without unnecessary steel removal. Consequently, your knife maintains sharpness for an extended period, reducing the frequency of necessary sharpening.
How Do You Use a Ceramic Hone?
To use a ceramic honing rod effectively, start by ensuring a stable surface. Hold the rod upright, gripping the handle firmly with one hand, and place the tip on the surface. With the other hand, hold the knife at a 20-degree angle against the rod, ensuring the blade contacts the ceramic surface. Maintain a consistent angle as you smoothly draw the knife down the rod from the base to the tip, using controlled strokes. Repeat this process on the other side of the blade. Regular but gentle honing helps align the edge and extend the time between professional sharpenings. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific recommendations on technique and frequency.
Knife, Scissors & Cutting Tool Blade Sharpening in New Haven County, Connecticut
Ultimately, when you need your knives sharpened in New Haven County, CT, call The Mobile Edge and let us ensure your knives are properly sharpened.
