There are many ways to sharpen your knife. The most traditional way is with a whetstone, but I prefer to use a belt grinder.
choose a belt
- Choose a belt that is the same width as your knife (it should be at least 1/4 inch wide).
- Choose a belt that is the same length as your knife (it should be at least 12 inches long).
- Choose a belt that is the same thickness as your stone, which can range from 3/16 to 3/8 of an inch thick (the thicker it is, the longer it will last).
install the belt
- Make sure the belt is straight.
- Use a pry bar to keep the belt straight while you’re grinding it down.
- Place a belt clamp on top of your grindstone, then secure one end of the grinder’s pulley with a bolt and nut, so that there are no loose ends hanging around when you’re done grinding (you don’t want anything flying off into your food!).
angle the knife/stone
The angle of your belt grinder should be at 20 degrees. The stone should be held in place with a clamp, and you can use a rag or piece of paper to hold it steady as you sharpen the blade.
2×72 belt grinder
If you’re using a belt grinder, the 2×72 is a great choice. It’s large enough that you can get your knife blade into the proper angle for sharpening and it can even hold other tools such as files or sandpaper.
Boasting speeds up to 7,000 RPM and an adjustable handwheel for fine-tuning, this machine makes quick work of grinding down any blade without sacrificing quality or precision.
Conclusion
Now you have a sharp knife! The belt grinder is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your knives in tip-top shape.
