Need to sharpen a knife? All you need is a coffee mug

[RV_]

If your knife isn't honed and you don't have a sharpener, you can easily make do by sharpening the blades on the bottom rim of a ceramic coffee mug.

 

Excerpt:

 

"Too many of us toss our knives in the dish washer, rarely sharpen them and continue hacking away at food as the edges of their expensive cutlery dull to near butter knife status.

If there's ever a time when a knife is too dull to work with, and you don't have a dedicated sharpener handy, all you need is a coffee mug.

Choosing your mug

Obviously, you will need a knife or two, so gather any you will be working with. You will also need a ceramic cup or bowl. Most ceramic dishes have an unglazed rim along the bottom. This is the most crucial part.

Just about any unglazed ceramic will do, but the larger the edge, the more room you will have to work with.

How to sharpen a knife with a mug

Keep in mind that this isn't exactly a standard way to sharpen a knife, and you probably shouldn't rely on it as a long-term method of sharpening. However, it will certainly do if you have no other sharpener on hand."

 

The rest of the article tells how to sharpen them using your ceramic mug or plate here:

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/in-a-pinch-you-can-sharpen-a-knife-on-the-bottom-of-a-coffee-mug/

[theeyres]

I'm a wood carver so have to have razor sharp knives. Obviously I take along my sharpening tools but never thought of the bottoms of mugs to do normal sharpening. I do think this would work great for honing a normal kitchen knife. I'll give it a try next time we are on the road.

[Luciano]

Cool idea!

[sandsys]

If your knife isn't honed and you don't have a sharpener, you can easily make do by sharpening the blades on the bottom rim of a ceramic coffee mug.

 

My understanding is there is a difference between honing and sharpening. The ceramic mug works for honing which removes spurs from the cutting edge making the knife slide easier. But sharpening require a steel. You should hone pretty much every time you use a knife but sharpening can happen substantially less often. According to the online knife skills class I followed which does not actually make me an expert.

 

Linda Sand

[RV_]

Hi Linda,

Well that depends on the coarseness of the ceramic, check these out:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ceraqmic+sharpeners

[sandsys]

We were talking about using a coffee mug not a specialty sharpening rod.

 

Linda Sand

[Ray,IN]

I remember watching my mother and father sharpen knives on the rim of a crock. Ceramic does make an excellent sharpening stone, but now diamond-dust embedded steel(in different grades) outperforms ceramic. I have 3, 240, 360, and 480 grades. I write this while sitting here looking at my ceramic knife "V" sharpening tool, thinking it's time to sharpen DW's kitchen knives again.

Just my opinion, but I think it's easier to cut yourself with a dull knife than a razor-sharp knife.

[Pat & Pete]

I remember watching my mother and father sharpen knives on the rim of a crock. Ceramic does make an excellent sharpening stone, but now diamond-dust embedded steel(in different grades) outperforms ceramic. I have 3, 240, 360, and 480 grades. I write this while sitting here looking at my ceramic knife "V" sharpening tool, thinking it's time to sharpen DW's kitchen knives again.

Just my opinion, but I think it's easier to cut yourself with a dull knife than a razor-sharp knife.

 

That's because you know the knife is razor sharp and any little touch will draw blood . So , you're EXTRA careful . LOL

 

Seriously , dull knives are dangerous as they require more pressure to do the same work . That pressure can go the wrong way in a hurry .

[StarDreamers.us]

For some of us that still use metal knifes, the good old wet stone from my Grandfather's time still works wonders. As already reported ANY knife is a cutting tool is dangerous! I wonder how many have taken the time to teach our young ones how to use and take care of a knife. The old Boy Scout training and your FIRST pocket knife. What kind of trust and responsibility that carried.

 

What have we lost as a nation?

 

Safe Travels!

[sandsys]

There is a website called Kids Cook Real Food that teaches kids as young as four years old about knife skills along with other cooking skills. They give the youngest ones butter knives and teach them such things as how to spread peanut butter into celery and cut Jell-O into squares. Obviously knife sharpening skills don't start that young but the kids become comfortable being around sharp knives by age six.

 

Linda Sand

[Trucken]

 

If you enjoy the whisper of steel on a sharpening stone, and coffee mug brings back the edge to cut tomatoes without mashing them, that works too.

 

Cleaning lots wild hogs, fish, and other game, got tiresome sharpening knives on a stone. So just like the factory we sharpen our knives on a belt sander with 400 grit belt sander.

 

My House knives I add additional finish with a leather stropping belt, on belt sander. Kitchen knife Edge lasts about two/three months, a quick pass over a steel gives another month.

 

Little practice, it then takes only five minutes for half dozen knives. So I sharpen two or three time a year. If you try this DONT put in dish washer, keeps edge longer and a quick reach causes bad cuts.

 

Be careful, stays very sharp for a long time.

 

If interested check out you tube.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptspof6CXOg

 

Trucken

[RV_]

I used to use a tri stone with the built in oil bath like this: http://www.webstaurantstore.com/dexter-russell-07946-12-manual-tri-stone-knife-sharpener-system/21007946.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20HP&utm_term=1100400186607&utm_content=2%20Month%20Sale

 

I was buying stocking stuffers to give to our postal and FedEx/UPS folks and this year am giving them nice filet knives from BudK. They have some very good knives and some junk all still a great deal. I saw a pocket knife sharpener that looked interesting so for 4 bucks each if I buy 2, so I gave it a try.

 

Two or three very light strokes of the coarse side and two or three on the fine and they were razor sharp! I am getting some more just to have them in case they go off the market. They are really well made. Nice grip too.

http://www.budk.com/Sharp-N-Easy-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener-18427

 

I am picky about my knives and was really shocked at how well and easily that cheapo plastic two grit ceramic sharpener worked. The key is not to bear down much at all beyond the weight of the blade and the pressure to drag it gently through. No knife guards on it, so be care full.

[baphenatem]

I've used the bottom of the coffee mug trick many times and it works quite well.