Thousands of people across the country collect and sell pocket knives. Whether you are keeping one as a family heirloom, as a collector’s item, or simply for everyday use, these valuable pieces of equipment need to be kept in pristine condition. You can do this by storing it properly, keeping it away from liquids and acids, and sharpening it regularly. When it comes to performing these basic precautions, sharpening is something many knife owners neglect the most. However, it’s not as impossible as it seems. Here are a few ways a manual pocket knife sharpener can help you.
A manual pocket knife sharpener can consist of a variety of different materials. Some knife owners prefer using Japanese imported whetting stones, while others use materials such as ceramic, steel, carbide, diamond coated metal, and others. Some even use a leather strap called a strop. Stones tend to be the simplest and the best for regular maintenance, while diamond coated materials are best for more severe cases of dullness or damage.
When using your manual pocket knife sharpener, it’s important to try and sharpen your blade using the exact same method each time. This will ensure that your blade always stays straight and even. When using stones, be sure to use a bit of lubrication, as this prevents the blade from catching on the grit of the stone. If you see sparks flying, this is not a good sign that you are sharpening your blade well. This actually means that your blade is being damaged—the sparks are actually flecks of metal. Sharpening your blade this way will only wear it down.
Once you’ve sharpened and honed your blade, wipe it clean and store it away until you need it again. In regularly sharpening your blade, you are doing more than keeping a valuable piece of equipment in prime condition. A dull blade can be severely dangerous. The more you attempt to slice, carve, and chop with a dull blade, the more resistance your blade will meet. This not only affects the quality of the cut, but it also puts you at risk for slicing open your fingers.
If using a manual pocket knife sharpener is not for you, you may want to consider using an electric sharpener. These will hone and sharpen the edge of your blade in a matter of seconds, with no lubrication required. However, be absolutely sure that the model you use is compatible with pocket knives, or you run the serious risk of damaging your blade. Would you prefer to have your pocket knives sharpened for you. Click here for more info.