Professional Knife Sharpener

Results of sharpening your blade

A professional knife sharpener can shape your blade in two ways. One that is sharpened with a stone. These blades usually have micro ebrasions that act like a microscopic saw. They are good for cutting rope, twine and other fibrous material. The blade will wear out faster because the small saw blades will wear out and need sharpened more frequently. A smooth blade is best for cutting with a straight push and is preferred by barbers, surgeons and axemen. Research has shown that a meat cutter can cut more meat and be less fatigued using a smooth honed blade. And microscopic studies have show the same result for woodcutters using a sharp, smooth edge. Sharpening to a smooth edge with a professional knife honer is worth the extra time sharpening.

Professional knife sharpening - Testing the edge

If you want to test sharpness of a blade from a professional knife sharpener, you will need a good testing environment and a consistent test specimen such as a paint brush. Some people use their thumb to test the blades ability to cut into the thumb bed. Use a razor to keep your thumb calibrated to the sensitivity. Some people will test using the hair on their arm. Many blades including axes and larger blades can get a razor sharp result. To get that result you need to polish the blade as well as having a small edge angle. If you test by shaving you might get a false positive. Blades develop burrs and wire edges over time from use and will shave a hair but not be consistently sharp. To test against this use your finger on the blade from side to side. You will feel the blade grab your finger. Make sure to check both sides of the blade as the burrs can go to either side. As you sharpen your blade to a better edge, it will be harder to detect these burrs. As you become more adept as a knife sharpener you can look at a blade and see dull edges. These are called glints and if the knife is not sharpened properly they will be visible. Another way to test a blade is to press it against your thumb nail at approximately a 30 degree angle and if it cuts then it is sharp. The sharper the blade, the higher angle you can apply before the blade slips. If the blade slips at a 30 degree angle then it is dull and needs more sharpening. If you dont want to use your thumbnail you can use a pen or pencil also.

Knife sharpening - Manual versus a professional tester

There is one final way to test your professional knfie sharpener and that is through a sharpness tester. These testers will test 100 points along the blade for sharpeness. If you are serious about your blade honing skills then get an edge tester.

Tools required to become a professional knife sharpener

To be a knife sharpener you'll have to have several tools in your kit. You'll need at least one benchstone, preferably two. The stone should be as long as the longest blade you plan on sharpening. Natural stones were used a long time ago but most knife sharpening stones are now made of manufactured materials and industrial diamonds. Next you will need aluminum oxide. These come as ceramic knife sharpeners and will sharpen most blades except carbide tipped. A professional knife sharpener is available to the public and if you use a lot of knives, you should definately get one.

Professional Knife Sharpener