Knife sharpening machines are the best tools to restore the sharpness in the knife. With these machines, sharpening knives has become quite easy.
Something Important
Before you start using these knife sharpeners, carefully go through the manual to understand the dos and don’ts of operating these machines
There are different models available in knife sharpening machines. You will find that machines that are used in restaurants and catering operations, come with 2 grinding wheels and can sharpen any type of knife. Some machines are equipped to work in 3 phases. The sharpening process involves grinding, stripping and polishing. The 3 stage angle grinding provides amazing sharpening results. You have the option to select the process most suitable for the type of knife you are using. Magnetic guides keep the knife steady and at the right sharpening angle without heating the material, thus preventing the softening of the knife.
Whetstone Knife Sharpeners
Since ancient times, man has been using whetstones to sharpen knife and blades. A whetstone is usually a thick slab of stone and its size and shape is very similar to that of a brick. In today’s times, whetstone grinders constructed from synthetic material are attached to a machine and sold as sharpening tools. The whetstone knife sharpeners by Clarke, a trusted name in the manufacturing of sharpening tools, is one of the most sought after machines to fix a dull knife. The machine is specially designed to hone up the edges of household tools such as chisels, knives and blades. The Clarke CWS200 Whetstone Sharpener works great, thanks to its 120 watt strong motor and is supplied with a high quality abrasion paste. The machine costing around $120 also has an attached leather honing wheel that provide a sharp finish to the knives.
For commercial establishments, where the usage of cutting tools like knives, is frequent, one should go for industrial strength whetstone grinders such as the Clarke CBG8W Whetstone Grinder. This heavy duty sturdily constructed equipment priced at approximately $65, is simply terrific when it comes to sharpening cutting edges of a wide range of tools including gardening tools like shears. The grinding machine comes with spark arrestors and wheel guards that ensure user safety when in operation. It also has two grinding wheels, one is a whetstone and the other a drystone that turn a blunt cutting edge to a sharp one within no time.
Portable Knife Sharpening Machines
Looking for a portable, lightweight tool that could give new life to your blunted knives? If yes, how about purchasing Smith’s Deluxe Knife Sharpener that costs only about $5? People who are always on the run and want to sharpen their small knives in minimum time, would find this sharpener handy. Its 2 stage knife sharpening mechanism ensure that the blunt edges get a superior sharp finish. The compact tool has 2 slots, each one having a different purpose. Knives that are horribly blunt need to be inserted into the coarse slot. However, if you want to maintain the sharpness of a cutting edge and give a shiny finish to the knife then one should use the fine slot. Simply move the blunt edge in each slot repeatedly for 5-6 times to see your knife sharpened like never before.
Amongst the electric ones, Smith’s Edge Pro Compact Electric and Manual Knife Sharpener is found to be most efficient and worth every penny. Costing around $25, the machine combines automation and manual control to sharpen your household knives. The device that runs on 120-volt power has 3 slots, out of which 2 are dedicated for electric sharpening. The electric slots contain the grinding wheels that deliver precise sharpening to each side of the knife blade. The third slot requires manual intervention and contains crossed ceramic rods that help to give a fine, smooth, polished cutting edge to the knife.
Grinding Machines for Knife Sharpening
A bench grinder is commonly used to sharpen a variety of items such as hand tools, cutters, drill bits and knives. It consists of one or 2 abrasive wheels and a motor. These machines come in different sizes. Although the output horsepower of the motor can vary, it usually delivers a maximum of 1 hp. The wheels have a diameter ranging from 6 to 10 inches. When the motor operates, it sets the wheel in motion which is then used for sharpening the tools. These machines generally come with a tool rest that allows the wheel to remain steady when in operation. The machine that is designed for sharpening steel items should not be used for softer metals such as aluminum. This is because small pieces of soft metal separate and get accumulated in the pores of the wheel. These pieces expand gradually due to the heat of grinding, causing damage to the surface of the grinding wheel.
Knife Sharpening Wheels
A grinding wheel provides the most dependable way to sharpen your knives. Grinding wheels come in different shapes, the most common being the simple straight wheel and the cylindrical wheel. The abrasive surface of the wheel chips away some of the material in order to sharpen the edge of the knife. Knife sharpening wheels are made from different abrasive materials. The most commonly used material to manufacture grinding wheels is aluminum oxide. This material is suitable to sharpen wrought iron, steel, bronze and annealed iron. Wheels made from zicconia alumina are extremely durable and can sharpen steel and alloys effectively. Another material that has been in use recently is ceramic aluminum oxide. This material is extremely strong and is ideal when you require a high degree of precision and accuracy.