Knife is an essential tool in every home. There are three knives that we can use in the kitchen such as the paring knife, chef’s knife, and the serrated knife. But there are other knives available that help cooking a lot easier. Each knife has specific use like the chef’s knife that is the most used in the kitchen. But how will it work efficiently if the blade is dull? It makes sense knowing how to polish a knife blade.
It is not enough only to clean the knife. In fact, you must cleanse it to maintain its original look. But no matter how well you clean it, frequent usage can make it look dull and fade. If you notice the luster of your knife fades, the best thing to do is to polish it. You may think polishing the blade is a straightforward thing. Yes, it is. But there are helpful ways to make the process easy.
Where to Start Polishing the Knife Blade?
Before starting to polish the blade, the first thing to do is to understand what it means. Polishing a knife means refining the edge of the knife, making it sharp, and giving it a shiny finish. It is also another way to get rid of imperfections and nicks. As soon as you polish the knife, you are also sharpening the blade. Thus, the process makes you hit two birds in one shot.
Easy Steps to Polish the Knife Blade
Polishing involves two processes, including cleaning and removing the rust. We will discuss each process for you to follow.
1. Cleaning
Cleaning knife’s blade is the initial step before you proceed to polishing. It is important to remove first the accumulated dirt so you can easily get rid of the rust. We recommend using a mild cleaning solution instead of using water. It’s because the water retained in the knife can make it rust. Use a soft cloth in applying the cleaning solution.
2. Removing the Rust
After cleaning the dirt, the next step is to remove the rust.
- Prepare the rust remover and apply a thin layer on the blades.
- Get a clean cloth and soak in oil. Put the knife in the cloth and cover it for at least two hours. The cleaning solution will loosen the rust.
- Remove the knife from the cloth and get an abrasive cloth to scrub off the rust.
- Get rid of any excess dirt and oil in the blade by using a clean cloth.
3. Restoring the Luster and Sharpness of Your Knife
Things needed:
- Wet paper towel
- Oil
- Sandpaper
- Hoppes No.9
- Small dish
- Brass brush
- Metal polish
By polishing the blade of your knife, it will also restore the luster and sharpness. How to do it?
Step 1. Make a good wipe down
The first thing to do is to get a wet paper towel and wipe the knife downward. Wipe not only the blade but also the small in-between spaces of the handle. It will loosen up the dirt or dust, but not the grime and rust that requires thorough greasing.
Step 2. Spray with oil
Using the penetrating oil, spray a small amount all over the knife, specifically the blade joints. You may notice that opening and closing a vintage knife stocked for a long time seems creaky. The penetrating oil will serve as lubrication. Wipe off the oil from the knife using a paper towel or a polishing cloth and rinse it. Repeat the process as needed.
Step 3. Work on the knife’s blade
Dip a small piece of 320-grit sandpaper in a small dish with Hoppes No.9. Rub the blade. It will clear up the grime accumulated after several minutes. Rub it thoroughly. Change to 400-grit sandpaper and rub the blade again. Wipe away the excess grit and oil. Repeat the procedure as necessary until achieving the desired outcome.
Step 4. Clean the finer grooves
After polishing the blade, clean the finer grooves and the hinge. Use a brass brush to clean those hard to access hinges and grooves. You can also dip the brush in the cleaning solution to release the grime and finer rust. Wipe with cloth to remove the excess oil.
Step 5. Apply a metal polish
After doing the four steps cited above, it’s about time to polish the blade by using a metal polish. It will help to regain the natural shine like as new.
Other was to polish the blade is to sharpen it on a fine stone. After rubbing on a stone, do not forget to strop the edge. It will not only make the edge sharper but also improve the finish. For many people, stropping is the last step of polishing the blade.
Conclusion
The methods and processes mentioned above will guide you on how to polish a knife blade good as new. In doing the process, always ensure your safety. Mishandling the knife may cause injury. With this, we recommend following safety precautions such as wearing hand gloves and goggles for your eyes.
Polishing the blade will also make it sharper. Always check the blade and never wipe it with your bare hand. Maintaining your knives will make them last longer and perform better to your satisfaction. As you learned to polish the blade, remember some knife care instructions. Keep the knife clean, dry, and lubricated, especially the blade and pivot points.
If you do not know how to polish the blade, ask for help from someone who knows the job. It is a DIY process, but should be done correctly. If you will read this post from start to finish, you can do it on your own. Keep your knives in the kitchen ready to use. Give the care not only when using it but also after using it. A polished knife will not only make the preparation of food faster but also easier. You can chop or slice anything that you want.
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How to Clean Damascus Steel Using All-Natural Cleaning MaterialsHow To Remove Rust From Carbon Steel Knife in 4 Different Ways
