A knife is an essential tool in any household. In the kitchen, we can use three types of knives: the paring knife, chef’s knife, and serrated knife.
However, there are other knives that make cooking a lot easier. Knives have specific uses, such as the chef’s knife, which is most commonly used in the kitchen. However, how will it work if the blade is dull? Knowing how to polish a knife blade makes sense.
Cleaning the knife alone is not enough. To maintain its original appearance, you must cleanse it. Even if it’s cleaned regularly, frequent use can make it look dull and faded. A polished knife will restore its luster if you notice that it has faded. The process of polishing a blade may seem straightforward. That’s right. However, there are ways to make the process easier.
Where Should I Start Polishing My Knife Blade?
Prior to polishing the blade, it is important to understand what it means. The process of polish a knife involves refining its edge, making it sharper, and giving it a shiny finish. Furthermore, it can be used to remove imperfections and nicks. When you polish a knife, you are also sharpening the blade. As a result, you hit two birds with one stone.
How to Polish a Knife Blade
Polishing is a two-step process that involves cleaning and removing rust. We will walk you through each step.
Cleaning
A knife’s blade must first be cleaned before it can be polished. It is important to remove first the accumulated dirt so that you can easily remove the rust. Instead of using water, we recommend using a mild cleaning solution. The knife can rust when water is retained inside it. Apply the cleaning solution with a soft cloth.
Removing the Rust
The next step is to remove the rust after cleaning the dirt.
- Spray the blades with rust remover and spread it thinly.
- Soak a clean cloth in oil. Place the knife in the cloth and cover it for at least two hours. Rust will be loosen by the cleaning solution.
- Remove the knife from the cloth and scrub the rust off with an abrasive cloth.
- Using a clean cloth, remove any dirt and oil from the blade.
How to Restore your Knife’s Luster and Sharpness
Things needed:
- Sandpaper
- Wet paper towel
- Oil
- Hoppes No.9
- Small dish
- Brass brush
- Metal polish
When you polish a knife, you will also restore the luster and sharpness. Do you know how to do it?
Step 1: Wipe the Knife Down
It is crucial to wipe down the knife with a wet paper towel first. You should wipe the blade, as well as the small spaces between the blade and the handle. Dirt and dust will be loosen up, but not grime and rust, which require thorough lubrication.
Step 2: Spray with Oil
Spray a small amount of penetrating oil all over the knife, especially the blade joints. A vintage knife that has been stocked for a long time may seem creaky when opened and closed. Lubrication will be provided by the penetrating oil. Remove the oil from the knife using a paper towel or a polishing cloth and rinse it. Repeat the process as necessary.
Step 3: Work on the Knife’s Blade
A small piece of Hoppes No. 9 should be dipped in 320-grit sandpaper. The blade should be rubbed. After a few minutes, the grime will be removed. It should be thoroughly rubbed. Rub the blade again with 400-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the excess grit and oil. Repeat the procedure until the desired result is achieved.
Step 4: Clean the Grooves After Polishing the Blade
Make sure you clean the blade’s finer grooves as well as its hinge after polishing. Brass brushes are helpful for cleaning hinges and grooves that are hard to reach. The brush can also be dipped in the cleaning solution to remove grime and finer rust. Remove excess oil with a cloth.
Step 5: Apply a Metal Polish
Having completed the four steps outlined above, it’s time to polish the blade with a metal polish. The natural shine will be regained like new.
Sharpening the blade with a fine stone is another method of polishing the blade. Don’t forget to strop the edge after rubbing on a stone. In addition to sharpening the edge, it will also improve the finish. Stropping is often the last step in polishing a blade for many people. If you are interested in getting the best leather strop, we have the best recommendations for you.
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