Knife Sharpening - A Critical Task In The Workshop

Since the first stone tools were used centuries ago, man has tried to find the best way to keep cutting edges sharp. As good metal blades were developed in more recent years, knife sharpening became a critical part of tool maintenance. Only with a very sharp blade could our ancestors cut and trim the things they needed to survive from day to day.

Colonial-period residents often created communities around a mill that processed grain and made sure that the village had a blacksmith. Chief among the tasks for many craftsmen was tool sharpening, a practice that has continued today. Those early settlers often used very hard stone to sharpen their blades. In many cases, the stone was round and worked on the same principle as a grist mill, with the stone turning slowly while the individual held a blade against the stone surface.

Today's sharpening equipment has more power than the old foot-driven or water driven wheels. In addition, the electrical sharpening wheels are a great improvement over the whetstone that was used by hand. Modern knives and other tools can be sharpened in much less time, with less effort, because of the modern power sharpener.

For the person who is setting up an efficient home workshop, or the professional who makes his living with tools, a sharpener is an essential piece of equipment. A knife sharpener and/or a blade sharpener from one of several quality suppliers can be a welcome addition to the workshop. For example, the small but efficient bench grinder is excellent for sharpening tools used in woodworking and for gardening/lawn tools as well.

One example of a quality knife and scissor sharpener is the Tormek, a bench-top grinder that uses water in small amounts to reduce heat and friction. When this equipment is purchased, the individual will find a leather strop included. (Some experience craftsmen recommend a paper wheel for honing blade edges.)

Those with some years of experience in craftsmanship that requires blades will urge the shopper to look for versatility in blade sharpening equipment. The sharpener must be large enough and durable enough to handle large blades and some provision must be made for strop and honing blade edges. Buying from a reputable and stable company is important as well, since there may come a time when it is necessary to get replacement parts or service. All these factors are important when purchasing sharpening equipment that can cost several hundred dollars.

Sharpening equipment comes in a wide variety of sizes, from the smaller items used occasionally in the workshop to the largest commercial grinders and specialty sharpening equipment. The smaller equipment will work well for the home craftsman and handyman, especially because they are less expensive and quite portable.

Some home handymen prefer to sharpen knives and small blades by hand, using a whetstone. Others opt for the small, electric wheel for their sharpening needs. These wheels are made of very tough abrasive materials that provide years of service. For those just beginning to work with blades and knives in the workshop, several companies provide brochures, manuals and videos that help the amateur become more proficient at keeping those essential blades clean and sharp.

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All About Knife Sharpening

Ever since early man chiseled his primitive spears and knives from pieces of rock, keeping them sharp has been a prime part of maintaining tools. When new settlements were founded in Colonial times, often the first thing that would be installed would be grinding wheel because the settlers realized that they could not get much work done if they didn't keep their tools sharpened.

The sharpening tools we use today are still similar to the grinding wheels and whet stones of yore. The only real difference is that there is just a lot more power behind today's tools. Where the colonials had to use water wheels to power their grinding wheels, we plug them into electricity for a fast, easy job.

If you are looking for a knife sharpener that will serve a long time, you will certainly have a wide choice to choose from. A bench top grinder, for example can be used just as easily for sharpening gardening tools as for sharpening ax blades.

Chain saws need to be sharpened frequently for the most efficient use. Not only will it give you a better cut for whatever you are cutting, it will also be safer to use. An abrasive end is attached to an electric drill and as the drill rotates, you hold the saw blade against it to sharpen it. Make sure you get a chain saw sharpener with multiple tips, since they wear down quickly.

There is a knife and scissor sharpener manufactured by Tormek that uses water to reduce friction. This type of grinder is a complete package, with leather strops. Some prefer to use a paper wheel to hone the edges of the knife.

One of the main features you want to look for in a knife sharpener is versatility. Can you do any size knives, including long knives? Can you strop the edges? Can you find replacement parts easily? These are important considerations, especially if you are planning on buying a high grade maintenance tool that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Heavy duty sharpeners such as this are usually for the serious woodworker, or the landscaper who is using his chainsaw continually and has to have it constantly sharpened. There are less expensive options for the hobbyist or homeowner. You may even be able to make do with a manual, hand held knife sharpener such as is found in a butcher shop. There are other versions, such as the wheeled knife sharpener (the blade is drawn between two wheels), or any abrasive material against which the knife is drawn.

You can sharpen a knife well with both a manual or electric sharpener; the skill of the knife sharpener is probably the more important ingredient in determining how well a knife is sharpened. Holding the knife at the proper angle is critical. You can get information in the form of videos or books that will educate you about knife sharpening if this is an important area for you.

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