Serrated knives usually do a lot of work because they incorporate pointed teeth. When these knives experience less friction, the blade is likely to remain sharper for a longer duration. Furthermore, the aspects that keep it sharper also make it very complicated to sharpen. You must know that you can use this product for a longer duration without horning or sharpening it. This knife features a unique design that helps it cut through the crusty French bread smooshing it inside. Many people own serrated knives, but they do not know how they can sharpen them. Therefore, this post will guide you to sharpen a serrated knife and educate you more about the serrated blade.
how do knives go dull?
The knives are not usually dull because of the food they cut, but it is because of the cutting board you are likely to use. Anytime you use your knife on the chopping board or even cutting board, your knife’s blade edge blade will suffer. It can remain sharp but with some bends. However, it would help if you did not get worried because this can be remedied with some strokes of honing steel. On the other hand, if you strike your cutting board for long, the sharper edge will wear out. What looked like a V will commence resembling a U. If this happens, you need to consider grinding away your metal a bit to reshape the dull edge and make it sharper. You can quickly achieve this by using a sharpening stone.
How do you sharpen a serrated knife?
Sharpening a serrated knife is not an easy task because it needs you to put more effort. Multiple people usually prefer getting a professional to sharpen their serrated knives, but you can sharpen your serrated knife using three varying methods. These methods differ slightly in the duration they take to accomplish sharpening your serrated knife. Below are the three ways you can use to sharpen your serrated knife.
Method 1
It has a specific tool, which it uses to sharpen all kinds of knives, but it is somehow costly. And it is also budget-friendly for most people. Additionally, it is perfect because it has the maximum potential to handle knives in your workshop and the kitchen. The sharp maker is popularly used by chefs as well as athletes. Here is an overview of several steps you need to follow when using this device to sharpen your serrated knife:
Spyderco sharp maker
- Step 1
Place your sharp maker tool on the bench and position the triangular rod in its specific holders. Ensure that you leave some space for the rod exposed on the serrated side of your knife. The flat side should be exposed on your knife’s straight edge side.
- Step 2
Slowly draw your knife down across the rod a few times on every side of your blade at a slight angle. On the serrated side, ensure you move slowly but move with an average speed on the straight edge of your knife. Ensure you cover the entire length of your blade.
- Step 3
Proceed with the entire process approximately 5 to 6 times on every side of the blade. Furthermore, on the serrated side of your knife, set the angle of your blade to match the angle of your scallop. Similarly, on the flat side, try and angle your blade slightly off the flat to get rid of any given burrs. However, it does not interfere with the backside surface of your knife.
- Step 4
Ensure that you pass each side of your serrated knife blade over the leather strop, more so when you are through sharpening your knife. This will polish the edge and eliminate any given burrs that are likely to be left behind. This method ensures that you get a sharp edge on each side of your serrated knife and is fast enough.
Method 2
Ceramic honing steel
This method is not costly, and it is the easiest, but it is a time-consuming method. It delivers excellent performance, more so if you have used your knife for a long duration without sharpening. It is also a perfect method you should use if your serrated knife features some bends. Bear in mind that the ceramic rods are also referred to as honing steel. Here are the steps you need to follow when using the ceramic honing steel:
- Step 1
Hold your serrated knife with its tip pointing far away from your body. After that, lay your ceramic rod in every scallop or even serration as you try matching the angles of the serrated slopes as much as you can.
- Step 2
Gently pull the rod via the scallop. Instead of running your rod back and forth in each direction, draw your rod slowly far from the blade. This will help you protect your hands from your knife’s sharp edge.
- Step 3
Continue repeating step 2 for some time for every serration. This is where you can end up consuming a lot of time. To acquire better results, ensure that you consider this step.
- Step 4
After all, these, pass both sides of your blade over the leather strop. When you finish honing your edge, make sure you polish your knife blade and eliminate any fine burrs that remained.
Method 3
Knife and tool sharpener
You must understand that this tool needs you to use a belt. Ideally, the best belt for a serrated knife is a 6000 grit belt. When you use a fine grit, you are likely to polish your knife nicely and maintain its edges sharp. Below are several steps you need to consider when using the knife and tool sharpener:
- Step 1
Ensure that you go through the manual script and follow those instructions.
- Step 2
Find a 6000 grit belt and install it on your sharpener.
- Step 3
After that, gently draw the non-serrated side off your blade across your belt, then pull your knife multiple times to sharpen your knife fully.
This method will grant you a sharper blade edge, but the sharpness will not last for long.
Conclusion
With the above in-depth post, you are now familiar with how to sharpen your serrated knife. Therefore, ensure that you choose the best method that can sharpen your serrated knife excellently. Bear in mind that there are numerous things you can do to maintain your serrated knife sharpness and ensure it serves you for a longer duration.
