Author Topic: Hone your knives!  (Read 4642 times)

Mike

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Hone your knives!
« on: January 27, 2019, 12:09:51 AM »
Back in 16 I got those Misen knives from kick starter and they were beautifully sharp.  However, about six months ago I noticed how they had lost quite a bit of the ease of cutting.  I thought I'd have to send them off to get sharpened but instead I decided to try and hone them.  So, between each usage I've used the honer on it and they have returned to that great ease of use.  It is amazing how such a simple action can improve the knife!  So do it!

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Hone your knives!
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2019, 08:15:11 AM »
FYI

A honing steel mainly cleans up the nicks and bends at the very edge of the blade and then only if used at the same angle that it was sharpened at. 

Seriously consider getting a stone or two.  I built my own Shapton set, but even a couple stones makes a difference.  I do recommend large stones and a holder though.

This fellow is informative and not a shill for one brand or another.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOluHMoKJ6CrS0kcybhaThg/videos

Good stones will last you a lifetime.  I sharpen ours about every three to four months and use the steel you mentioned every single time I put a knife back in the drawer after cleaning.

Mike

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Re: Hone your knives!
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2019, 10:57:24 AM »
Stones are for sharpening not for honing.  You should be honing far more often than you are sharpening.  And honing does not clean up nicks (which have missing metal).  They realign the teeth that make up the blade edge.  Sharpening removes metal to create a new edge.

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Hone your knives!
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2019, 05:59:22 AM »
Stones are for sharpening not for honing.  You should be honing far more often than you are sharpening.  And honing does not clean up nicks (which have missing metal).  They realign the teeth that make up the blade edge.  Sharpening removes metal to create a new edge.
I was trying to not to be overkill, figured the vids could do that better than I at 6AM.  That steel is very limited.  If you think it is doing you much good at over a year of use you are likely mistaken.  Do what you feel best though.

Mike

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Re: Hone your knives!
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2019, 08:20:47 AM »
Are they as sharp as they were new?  Nope.  But they are still great.  Plus, I have two of theme that I rotate so each one gets used half as much.  Plus plus, I'm a home chef not a pro.  So 1-2 year sharpening cycle is pretty common.

KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Hone your knives!
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2019, 06:10:29 AM »
 :dunno: