Knife sharpening machines: a convenient way to keep your work tools in order

Knives for household use are important tools on which work productivity depends, since it is the condition of the edge that affects the speed and amount of force applied. The force with which you will have to work is influenced by many factors: blade material, sharpening angle, trigger geometry and cleanliness of processing. Knife sharpening machines allow you to quickly improve the condition of the blade. The main thing is to choose the right abrasive and follow the sharpening rules.

Knife sharpening machines allow you to quickly restore the condition of any blade

Why do utensils become dull and why use tools for sharpening knives?

Professional chef's knives, unlike ordinary household knives, are made from more expensive types of steel, mainly chromium-containing high-hardness type is used. However, even this fact is not a guarantee that the blade will never become dull. A tip made of any material is constantly in contact with solid objects, such as:

You can sharpen a knife not only using a professional sharpening machine, but also using a simpler model

• tendons;
• bones;
• fruit seeds;
• frozen food;
• particles of sand or dirt;
• surfaces of cutting boards, which can be wood, plastic or glass.

In addition to the fact that knives are constantly in contact with various surfaces, they can also become dull if improperly stored if the tip is in constant contact with other kitchen appliances. Another factor is improper care and frequent washing in hot water, which negatively affects the surface. As for knives intended for carpentry use, in this case, due to the nature of the application, grinding of the surface cannot be avoided.

Helpful advice! To avoid having to frequently use machines for sharpening knives, it is recommended to pay special attention to the proper storage of devices. It is advisable that the blade is always in a special stand or on a magnetic holder. This rule applies to both kitchen utensils and knives of other tools.

It should be borne in mind that the edge can be brought into ideal condition not only using a professional knife sharpening machine, which is expensive, but also by using simpler models that have good technical characteristics.

To sharpen a knife blade, you need to install it in the groove and connect the electric sharpener to an outlet

Knife sharpening machines are characterized by the presence of sharpening stones with different abrasive capabilities, on which the result of the process will depend. To properly prepare the blade for work, it is recommended to use at least 2 whetstones, one of which is used for preliminary sharpening, and the second for grinding the base.

Belt machines for sharpening knives are most often used directly in production. Their purchase for household purposes is not considered justified, which cannot be said about electric machines for sharpening knives, which housewives can easily use.

To restore the sharpness of the blade, you only need to install the device in the groove and connect the sharpener to an outlet. It should be borne in mind that before using any sharpening device, you should read the instructions or at least once see how a professional uses it. The quality of sharpening is greatly influenced not only by the design features of the sharpener, but also by the user’s skills. The accuracy of sharpening will also be affected by the size of the abrasive installed on the grinding wheel. Machines for sharpening knives, scissors and other tools are divided into the following types:

• corner;
• electrical;
• mechanical;
• universal.

The quality of sharpening is affected not only by the design of the sharpener, but also by the user’s skills.

The functionality of the design depends on the technical characteristics and the ability to change the sharpening angle. The power of the device has a great influence on the service life. There is an opinion among experts that the most convenient is an electric machine, which independently determines the optimal sharpening angle. A mechanical machine for sharpening knives uses a reliable mount that allows you to maintain the desired angle throughout the entire sharpening period.

Basic rules for using manual feed equipment

machine for sharpening planing knives Corvette-470

Such machines are used for one-time work and for sharpening small batches of blades with your own hands, since the processing process is quite lengthy.

• Before starting work, you need to make sure that the grinding surface is clean, without stains or streaks.
• The movement of the carriage should be smooth, without jerks or jolts. It is forbidden to stop it when the cutter approaches the sharpener.
• The faster the carriage moves, the lower the quality of sharpening. The optimal speed of movement is 5 - 6 m/minute.
• For proper sharpening, the range of motion of the carriage is important. During a pass in each direction, it should move 10 - 13 cm further than the end of the knife. This ensures optimal contact between the cutter and the sharpener, which must be broken before moving in the opposite direction.

How to properly use knife sharpening machines and set up a workplace

In order to properly restore the edge of a blade, you need to know how to sharpen knives on a sharpening machine and follow some rules:

1. The first and main condition is to observe and maintain the correct sharpening angle throughout the entire period of work. To do this, before starting sharpening, you should securely position the base of the knife in relation to the surface of the sharpening stone and make sure that the position does not change.
2. Perform only smooth movements. It is not recommended to sharpen the tool with sharp jerky movements; all actions should be smooth and sliding, otherwise microscopic defects are likely to appear on the tip, which will negatively affect the further use of the knife.
3. Study the features of using bars. Some types of sharpening stones should be moistened with soapy water or oil, which is necessary to improve the glide of the blade during the sharpening process. Additional lubrication also helps remove the paste that forms as a result of the mixing of microparticles of stone and steel.

For better gliding of the knife during sharpening, the sharpening stone should be moistened with soapy water.

Helpful advice! After using the machine to sharpen scissors, knives or other tools, the abrasive must be wiped to remove all unnecessary particles. Before use, you should also wipe the sharpened blades, because small particles of ground metal remain on them.

Knife sharpening experts do not recommend trying to start sharpening yourself with expensive knives; it is better to first practice on a spare device. They also advise using an inexpensive blade before the main work. Firstly, this way you can check the sharpening tool without fear of ruining an expensive knife, and secondly, this simple manipulation will help you gain some experience.

Before using a flat knife sharpener or any other type of device, you need to prepare an optimal work area that complies with safety regulations. For example, when doing manual sharpening using a stone block, you need to firmly fasten a wooden board to the table.

It is not recommended to sharpen the knife with sudden movements; all actions should be smooth

Each user installs the block based on personal preferences: it can be located horizontally or perpendicular to the position of the master. While working, you should not try to press the base of the knife as hard as possible; movements should be progressive or jerky. If you perform all the steps carefully, the result will be a sharp blade that does not have any chips, cracks or burrs, and the entire sharpening cycle will not take more than 5-7 minutes.

Main types of knife sharpening machines: features of their use

The design of a machine for sharpening knives for professional or household use determines not only what tools can be sharpened, but also the ease of use of the device. To decide on the choice of product, you should know the basic parameters of each type.

The standard machine is a design consisting of two grinding wheels and a motor located between them. Emery is distinguished by the presence of circles of different grain sizes, which makes it possible to perform rough primary processing to restore the integrity of the tip or change the sharpening angle. The second circle is characterized by the presence of another abrasive, which allows for fine grinding of the base.

In an angular knife sharpening machine, one circle is perpendicular to the other

Despite the fact that the disks are fenced off with protective screens, it is still recommended to use special glasses when working. In addition to standard use, you can use the machine to sharpen meat grinder knives, scissors or circular knives. Estimated cost – from 1300 to 2000 rubles.

In an angle grinder, one sharpening wheel is positioned perpendicular to the plane of the other. One of the advantages is the possibility of wet sharpening, which helps prevent excessive overheating of the steel. Due to its more complex structure, the device also has a higher price - 2500-4000 rubles.

Separately, we can mention a sharpener with a sanding belt, which is mainly used for processing wooden parts. If you change the tape to a version with a more suitable grain size for working with metal, you can use the tool to eliminate roughness and get rid of burrs on the blade. In this case, the price starts from 1500 rubles.

To polish the surface of the blade you need a grinding and polishing machine

The grinding and polishing design is used to carry out such a sharpening process as finishing, which consists of polishing the surface of the blade. The main differences from the previous version are the presence of a grinding wheel made of leather, as well as operation only at low speeds. The price of the simplest device is 1,700 rubles.

Helpful information! If you choose a machine for sharpening common household tools: knives, scissors or axes, inexpensive standard models are also suitable. If you are looking for a machine for sharpening planer, planer or jointer knives, it is better to give preference to corner type sharpeners. The grinding and polishing design is suitable for grinding and final finishing.

Parameters based on which you should choose a knife sharpening machine

Once the main purpose of the purchase has been established, you should decide on the main characteristics of the device, on the basis of which the choice will be made. Thus, the service life of the work depends on the power indicator: the higher the power, the easier it is to grind large products using the device. However, you need to understand that powerful sharpening devices consume a lot of energy.

When choosing a machine for sharpening knives, you need to pay attention to the power; for domestic use, 150-400 W is enough

For standard household use, a power of 150 to 400 W is sufficient. In professional knife sharpening machines, the parameter can reach a value of 1000 W. Let's look at other parameters that you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Weight and dimensions. In order to avoid excessive rattling or vibration, the structure must be weighty and massive. In general, the size depends on the diameter of the grinding discs, which are selected based on the conditions of use.

Grinding wheel diameter. Selected depending on the type of knives that will mainly be sharpened. Most devices are characterized by the ability to replace circles as needed. Thus, in machines for sharpening jointer knives, a circle with a diameter of more than 150-200 mm is installed. In more powerful models you can see the presence of circles measuring 250 mm and larger.

Grinding wheel grit. For a rough initial finish, a coarse-grained abrasive is used at the regrinding stage, while for finishing dressing it is better to choose fine-grained wheels. Most often, the grain size varies from 8 (minimal) to 40 (coarse).

The presence of a device for maintaining and maintaining the correct sharpening angle will allow you to ideally restore the edge of the blade

Rotational speed. It is calculated in revolutions per minute, respectively, the higher the indicator, the less time sharpening will take. For example, a machine for sharpening jointing knives operates at a speed of 6 thousand revolutions per minute, and for an ordinary kitchen knife 2-3 thousand is enough. There are also low-speed devices with speeds up to 100 revolutions.

Landing diameter. Here the indicator can vary from 12 to 32 mm. It is important to note that the larger the shaft, the larger the circle can be installed. But installing a large circle on a small shaft is strictly prohibited.

Belt grinder: a simple device for grinding and sharpening

Types of grinders. Design and principle of operation. Recommendations for the selection and use of a belt sanding unit.

Safety. For the convenience of working with machines for sharpening knives of planing machines or other tools, the design is equipped with supports for support, capable of changing the angle of location, and protective glass to prevent injury to the eyes or hands. The kits of some models include baths for cooling and washing tools.

Equipment. If the set comes with a large number of different sharpening devices, this allows you to carry out a significant range of work - from sharpening to the finishing stage.

A large number of different sharpening devices allows you to carry out a wide range of work

Build quality. It is important to inspect machines for sharpening plane knives, kitchen utensils or scissors before purchasing, because it is necessary to check that the operation of the device is not accompanied by extraneous noise and that there is no play. The body of the device must be made of durable but lightweight material.

Helpful advice! The process of preparing the machine for operation should not take much time. This also applies to sharpening discs and other attachments.

Types and designs of machines

The machines on the market are distinguished by the knife feeding mechanism:

• manually;
• automatically.

The machine for sharpening planing knives with manual feed consists of:

• grounds;
• abrasive stone;
• carriages for fixing the knife.

During processing, the cutter moves forward with the help of a handle. Transverse movement of the cutter is ensured by a flywheel.

Automatic machines differ in size and range of options. Mechanisms for industrial use are installed on a powerful cast-iron frame. The carriage is equipped with a support. You can set the speed of movement of the blade and the thickness of the metal layer being removed. Industrial machines allow you to simultaneously sharpen several planer blades without changing settings.

Table 1. Characteristics of some models of machines for sharpening planing knives

Compact automatic machines for home and small workshops are designed to process one cutter in one go. They also provide speed control and automatic tool feeding.

Before starting work on any sharpening equipment, you should make sure that the frame is securely fastened. Machine vibration impairs the quality of sharpening and can lead to injury to the operator.

Review of the best sharpener models: “Profile” knife sharpening machines

Domestic offers a large number of sharpening devices to choose from, allowing you to give the blade almost its original sharpness. The designs make it possible to carry out multi-stage sharpening by replacing a coarse abrasive with a finer one, resulting in a smooth blade.

Depending on the chosen model, you can sharpen a tool for any purpose, and the quality of home sharpening is not inferior to professional sharpening. These devices, unlike conventional machines, do not tear off the steel base, but grind and clean the blade without unnecessary damage.

The K03 Standard kit includes all the necessary tools for sharpening, straightening and finishing knives.

Among the most popular sharpening kits, the “K02 Start” kit stands out, the price of which is around 14 thousand rubles. The device is equipped with an automatic rotation angle locking function. The only thing that may not be enough is a set of abrasives. The built-in group of bearings makes it possible to instantly rotate the clamps by 180˚, and flat springs ensure reliable fixation of the knife in the clamp. For convenient replacement of clamps, the housing is equipped with an installation unit.

The next most common set is considered to be “K03 Standard Equipment”, the cost of which reaches 23 thousand rubles. This model is designed to maintain specified angles throughout the sharpening process. The kit contains all the necessary tools to sharpen, edit and fine-tune knives.

The K03 also features an updated rack and pinion lift for ease of use. The auto-locking mechanism reliably holds the blade in a horizontal position, which is especially important when performing the finishing stage. All parts can be conveniently stored in a branded box.

Rating of the best electric knife sharpeners

The Elitech CT600C is considered a popular electric sharpening device with a power of 600 W, which is enough to work with a variety of knives, including carpentry equipment. The sharpener involves the use of large 200 mm circles, the mounting diameter reaches 32 mm. Experts warn that when overloaded, the device’s motor can heat up very quickly.

To work with thin blades, the Elitech CT600C machine model is equipped with a magnifying glass

The machine comes complete with a special lighting fixture that adds comfort during use. To work with thin drills, there is a magnifying glass located above one of the circles. There is also a container for coolant.

The significant weight of the structure (12 kg) guarantees the absence of vibration of the sandpaper even at high speeds. The build quality is at a high level. The sharpening price does not exceed 7,500 thousand rubles.

The Kraton BG 560/200 sharpener is characterized by a relatively high power of 560 W, which allows the use of large 200 mm wheels. The emery shaft is initially designed for 16 mm, but if desired, it is possible to increase the mounting diameter to 32 mm (using an adapter). Among the disadvantages, users highlight vibration during operation, even despite the heavy weight of the device - 13 kg.

As the wheels wear, the imbalance can increase, but this can be said about almost all models of sharpening machines. The device as a whole is designed for 15-20 minutes of continuous operation, after which, in order to avoid severe overheating, it is recommended to allow the engine to cool. The price of the device is about 3,500 thousand rubles.

Knife sharpening machine "Kraton" BG 560/200 has a power of 560 W and large 200 mm wheels

Important! The biggest drawback of sharpening machines whose wheels are coaxial with the motor is poor motor cooling. Therefore, such devices are not recommended for use for a long time without stopping.

Another popular household appliance for sharpening knives is the TC-400 model, the power of the device is 400 W. Despite the low power, the manufacturer equipped the device with grinding wheels with a diameter of 200 mm, but the seat diameter is 16 mm. Due to the low power consumption, you can continuously use the sharpener for 30 minutes without overheating, but when working, it is important not to press the blade against the circle too hard. The weight of the device is 9.2 kg, and additionally comes with backlighting. The price of the model is 3400 rubles.