Blunted knife - trouble for the hostess in the home kitchen and chef of a fashionable restaurant. This is a professional tool, and such items should always be in perfect order. Otherwise, the problems will not turn out.
About stones for sharpening and not only
The simplest device available in almost every household is the grindstone. It's easy and convenient for them to return the sharp edges to the blades. True, not everyone knows that these stones are classified according to different parameters. Let's try to clarify this question.
By its nature, the grindstone can be of artificial origin and natural, natural. The latter are the bars of the brand "Washitu" and "Arkansas". Artificial - stones with diamond coating, ceramic and aluminum coating. By the method of interaction with knife steel, the grinding stone is oily and watery. On the first before use, apply 1-2 drops of special oils, which are sold complete with the "grinder", and the second just drop into the water for 10 minutes (before entering into contact with the knife). What is the first action associated with? Each grindstone differs in its structure. Abrasive element of natural bars - with fine granularity. At artificial it is fastened by means of special glues which in some stamps of stones are excessively rigid and viscous. To ensure that during the sharpening of such a stone grindstone is not clogged with the smallest metal filings, it is not covered with "gloss" from the process waste, it is also oiled. The usual vegetable, and even more so the engine or even the weapon cleaned for these purposes is not good - too long then it will be necessary to clean the knife. Therefore, it is recommended that a special one be designed for these purposes.
It is not enough to choose the right grinding stones for knives, it is important to carry out the process properly. It seems that it's much simpler: smoothly perform back-and-forth movements with the cutting edge of the blade along the surface of the bar. We do not forget that the knife should be kept at an angle to the stone.
But that's not all! In most knives, the blades have a specific curved shape, depending on the purpose of the tool. Consequently, the angle of inclination of the knife itself must be constant, but the blades must change. Instructions for grinding sets give exact instructions and necessary explanations. Learn to perform them filigree - a matter of time and technology.
Let's talk about the pros and cons
It is clear that natural stones for sharpening and artificial have their pluses and minuses. Water (water) stones, i.e. Natural, differ excellent quality of the results and speed of the working process. Those. Knives are sharpened quickly, qualitatively, for a long time. This is a plus. Cons - obligatory lubrication of the stone before work and obligatory washing it off of abrasive particles and debris of metal dust. Yes, and the life of natural stones is not very long: their surface is quickly erased, it becomes not quite even, and it must be put in order from time to time.
But a diamond-coated stone can last longer. It provides an almost perfect grinding result, its working surface is not deformed during a long operation. Stands usually go to them wooden or aluminum. But they are suitable for knives with extra strong steel - blades with softer hardening can be damaged.
By the way, if you have a ceramic knife, you will hardly have to sharpen it.