Sharpening knives can be tricky. If you do it wrong, you might damage your knife or make it duller. Here are some common mistakes people make when sharpening knives and how to avoid them.

1. Inconsistent Angle

Keeping a steady angle is super important when sharpening your knife. If you change the angle while sharpening, the edge won't be even.

To avoid this, use a knife angle guide that holds the blade at the same angle every time. The HoneyHone rolling knife sharpener comes with an angle guide that helps you keep your knife at the right angle, from 12 to 22 degrees.

2. Skipping Grits

You should not skip grits when sharpening. The grit number tells you how rough or smooth the sharpening surface is. Starting with a rough grit and moving to a finer one helps you get a sharp edge.

Start with a lower grit like #240 to shape the edge, then move to #400, #600, and #1000 to refine it. Finally, use a 5000 grit stone disc for polishing. This step-by-step process makes your knife very sharp.

3. Not Polishing

Polishing your knife after sharpening is important. Polishing removes tiny scratches and makes the edge smooth. If you don't polish, your knife might still be rough and not as sharp as it could be.

Using the 5000 grit stone disc for polishing is a good idea. It helps you get a smooth, shiny edge on your knife.

4. Forgetting to Strop

Stropping is the final step. It removes any tiny burrs left on the edge after sharpening and polishing. Burrs are little bits of metal that can make your knife feel dull even if it's sharp.

Use a leather strop to finish your knife sharpening. This makes the edge razor-sharp and ready for use.

5. Using Too Much Pressure

Pressing too hard when sharpening can damage your knife. It can make the edge uneven and wear down your knife faster.

Use light, even pressure when sharpening. Let the sharpening tool do the work. This keeps your knife in good shape and makes it last longer.

6. Not Wearing Safety Gear

Sharpening knives can be dangerous if you are not careful. Always wear safety gear like grip gloves to protect your hands.

The HoneyHone rolling knife sharpener comes with a pair of grip gloves. Wear them every time you sharpen to keep your hands safe.

Conclusion

Sharpening knives the right way takes practice, but avoiding these common mistakes can help you get a sharp, smooth edge every time. Remember to keep a consistent angle, progress through grits, polish and strop your knife, use light pressure, and always wear safety gear. Happy sharpening!