How To Sharpen Spoon Carving Knives Easily
Even if your spoon carving knife comes with a sharp edge, it could likely get dull over time. As it does its work, it may also lose its sharpness, and you will notice it while you are cutting. A dull knife is dangerous and inefficient, but having a sharp tool is part of safely and effectively carving. Learn how to sharpen spoon carving knives by following these easy steps.
Steps to Sharpen Spoon Carving Knives
In learning how to sharpen spoon carving knives, you must know the basics of using sharpening stones and honing. Sharpening a spoon carving knife looks like a daunting task but is likely similar to pointing an ax head because the blade of a hook knife is much thinner than an ax.
Use of Sharpening Stones
You need to have a good sharpening stone. You can find it at sporting and hunting supply stores, and in other department stores. Choose the rocks glued to a triangular piece of wood so that you can safely hold it in your hand. A different sharpening stone such as medium, fine, and ultra-fine is glued on each triangular wood side. Start sharpening on the medium side if your knife is very dull, move to the delicate side, and finish up on the ultra-fine side.
There are three ways on how to sharpen spoon carving knives using stones, and you can try and use whichever will work best for you. First, you can lay the blade close to the flat. But make sure that it is a slight angle on the stone, and you are pushing the knife away from you like you were trying to slice off a thin layer of the rock. Second, you can lay the blade close to flat but make a slight angle on the stone, dragging the knife toward you with the blade trailing's short side. And third, lay the blade close to flat, but at a slight angle on the stone, making small circular motions with the sword. The bevel of your knife should have a mirror polish and must shave your arm hair effortlessly or cut a piece of paper.
Stropping
Stropping is vital in knife sharpening because it realigns a knife's cutting edge. It is also a way to remove any excess metal, and it polishes and smoothens the blade. After you sharpen your spoon carving knife, get out a leather strop. A strop can be purchased, but you can easily make one to save. Find a piece of wood, approximately 1 ½ inches wide, ¾ inches thick, and 16 inches long. You must leave 11 inches as is and carve a rounded handle with the other 5 inches. This time, drill a hole at the end of the handle and put a piece of leather through it. Finally, tie the ends together with a knot.
Get a piece of leather from a leather craft shop or shoes repair shops and glue it to the wood. You can also stick an old leather belt of the appropriate size, finished side down to the wood.
Then get some sharpening compound. It typically comes in a concrete block and is packed in a little cardboard box. Scrape some powder off with the backside of your knife, let it fall onto your leather strop, and coat it. After you use it, the powder will get embedded into the leather and should last through several stropping.
Strop your tool by laying it as flat as you can on the leather. While holding a downward pressure on the blade, draw the knife toward you with the sharp edge trailing away from you. Your knife will be razor-sharp and ready to use with just a little effort. When your blade shows any sign of worn, strop it again. Don't wait until it becomes dull. Strop it often, and you will seldom use the stones also.
After sharpening your knife, you also need to keep the blade of the knife protected by keeping it in a toolbox where it won't bump up against any of your other hand tools, so it won't be dull the next time you need to use it. Knowing how to sharpen spoon carving knives saves you a lot and, at the same time, hones your sufficient motor skill. Know more about wood carving knives.
Conclusion
Knowing how to sharpen spoon carving knives is very helpful, but you also have to be extra careful. You might slice yourself when sharpening your knife just as quickly as when you're carving. Some people can hold a knife at a constant angle throughout a sharpening session, and you can also experiment on your own with the angle that works best for you. A sharp spoon carving knife makes a great carving project partner, and maintaining its sharpness is essential. Happy carving!
