There might be a situation when you need to sharpen a knife but don't have the luxury of using a traditional sharpener. Here we will show you 10 other easy ways to sharpen a knife without a sharpener.
10 Easy Methods to Sharpen a Knife without a Sharpner
Sharpening a knife with a sharpener is undoubtedly an easy and effective way. However, you can even do this work using some household techniques using tools available around you.
Let's find some of the processes below:
Technique 1 – Use of Nail File to Sharpen the Knife
If you don't find any regular sharpener in your surroundings, why not use a nail file to sharpen a knife? A nail file works similarly to a traditional sharpener. Moreover, sharpening a knife with it is safe and easy. This method is briefly described in the below section.
- Step 1: Place the nail file on a flat surface. On the rough side of the Nailfile, start sharpening the knife.
- Step 2: Hold the nail file with your leg to get an extra grip. It will help to find the proper angle for sharpening a knife.
- Step 3: Keep your knife approximately at a 10-degree angle. Continue sharpening the knife by moving it in front and back at the same angle.
- Step 4: Continue to sharpen the knife until you are satisfied. After finishing the task, remove the dirt from the nail file and keep it in a safe place. Plus, put the knife inside a cover to keep the sharpness.
Pro tip: Don't use sand while sharpening a knife with a nail file. Also, use a strong nail file, avoiding small ones to avoid further risk.
Technique 2 – Use of Another Knife to Sharpen the Existing Knife
Sometimes, you could stick to a situation where you don't have anything to sharpen a knife. But if you have at least two or three knives, that's enough. Mostly, those situations may appear in wild camping, hiking, or surviving in rough conditions. Well, here you can use another knife to sharpen the other one.
You don't require anything more for sharpening if you have two knives. See the following steps to learn the process.
- Step 1: Hold two knives with two hands. Hold the new knife in your right hand if you are a right-handed person. Hold the sharpening knife in your left hand to get a strong grip if you are left-handed.
- Step 2: Start sharpening the knife by the edge of the knife. Hold the knife at a 10-degree angle to create extra sharpness.
- Step 3: Continue the sharpening process by sideways the knife. After finishing one side, flip over the knife on the other side and continue until you get the proper sharpness.
Pro tip: Carefully use another knife to sharpen the other one. You can use hand gloves for safety measures.
Technique 3 – Use of Flat Rock to Sharpen a Knife
From the ancient period, people traditionally used a flat rock for sharpening a knife. Those flat rocks have rough edges so that you can do knife Sharpening instead of sharpener.
Find a flat rock from the surroundings of your house and apply this technique of knife sharpening steps below.
- Step 1: Place the flat rock on a strong flat surface. Then find the flat edge of the rock. Add some water to make it a little bit wet.
- Step 2: Start sharpening the knife at a 10-degree angle. You can also put sand on the rock to make the knife sharper.
- Step 3: Reverse the opposite side of the knife and continue sharpening. Move the knife directly over the sands to gain more sharpness.
Pro tip: Using a flat rock to sharpen a knife is the most convenient way. But it would help if you had a clean and parallel edge flat rock.
Technique 4 – Use of a Broken Glass Bottle
This sharpening technique in quite unfamiliar. However, you can get better results with a broken glass bottle like other materials. See the method from the immediate section.
- Step 1: Pick a big part of broken glass and tightly bind it with something like cloth. Then start to sharpen the knife sideways.
- Step 2: When one side of the knife is sharpened enough, reverse the knife to sharpen the other side. After continuing the process check the sharpness, you were looking for.
Pro tip: The age of broken glass is very rough and dangerous. So carefully complete the sharpening task.
Technique 5 – Use of a Porcelain Plate or Cup to Sharpen a Knife
You may be wondering how a porcelain mug can sharpen a knife. Well, the edges of porcelain plates or cups tend to be rough. That's why knife sharpening is possible with this material.
Follow the steps below to sharpen a knife with a porcelain plate or cup.
- Step 1: Place the porcelain plate properly in a flat place. And then find a rough corner to begin the sharpening procedure.
- Step 2: Move the knife front and back approximately at 10-degree angle to complete sharpening. Well, slowly increase pressure and add little sand for a better result.
- Step 3: If you proceed with the porcelain cup, you need to alter the cup. Start sharpening the rough-standing part of the porcelain cup. And continue the previously mentioned process.
Pro tip: You can use a little water on the porcelain material to get a better result.
Technique 6 – Use of a Car Window to Sharpen a Knife
Any car window glass has a rough edge surface. If you know the hack, you can use the rough edge of a car window for other purposes. Likewise, you can use the window glass of a car for sharpening a knife.
- Step 1: Bring down two-thirds of the whole windo glass. Then start sharpening your knife on that rough edge surface of the window glass.
- Step 2: To sharpen window glass, you need to hold the knife at a 15-degree angle. Then move around sideways until you get the sharpness.
- Step 3: When you find one side of the knife is completely sharpened, reverse the side and continue until it gets the same result.
Pro tip: To know the window glass's roughness, directly put your hand on the edge of the window glass. Then you will understand the actual roughness.
Technique 7 - Use of River Stone to Sharpen a Knife
River Stone has a very rough edge and slide-cutting ability. You can use the rough edge of the river stone to sharpen the knife.
Here are the steps of sharpening a knife by using river stone.
- Step 1: Try to take a medium-size river stone. And then place the stone on a flat surface. After that, start sharpening your knife.
- Step 2: Hold the knife in a slightly angling manner. Approximately 10-degree angle is the most preferable for sharpening purposes.
- Step 3: Continue sharpening both sides of the knife to get proper sharpening. Moreover, you can add sands of the stone to make it sharper.
Pro tip: Carry a small piece of river stone with you while comping. In extreme situations, you can use a small river stone in many ways.
Technique 8 – Use of a Brick to Sharpen a Knife
Traditionally people use bricks to make a building. However, brick is quite similar to the river stone. Try to find a brick that has a rough edge and greasy buildup. And then, follow the steps provided below to sharpen a knife.
- Step 1: Hold the knife in your strong hand and place the brick on a flat surface. After that, start sharpening the knife following the previously mentioned procedures.
- Step 2: Like the rive stone, you can use sand to increase the knife's sharpness. Slowly press the knife on the brick.
- Step 3: When one side becomes completely sharpened, the knife reverses. And continue sharpening the other side of the knife.
Pro tip: You can reverse the brick to find the right edge for sharpening any materials.
Technique 9 – Use of a Sandpaper to Sharpen a Knife
Sandpaper is used to remove dirt from hard substances and polishing steal materials. It makes the iron metals polish like a new one—also can be used as knife sharpner alternative. Let's know the process of sharpening a knife with Sandpaper.
- Step 1: Find the rough side of Sandpaper and place the opposite side in a flat space. And then hold the knife in your strong hand.
- Step 2: Start sharpening the knife at a 30-degree angle. As Sandpaper doesn't have any edges, you need to angle down the knife a little bit here.
- Step 3: Continuously polish both sides of the knife until you get proper sharpness. Here don't need to use any sand or substances like that.
Pro tip: Carefully place the Sandpaper on a hard flat surface. Moreover, don't put your hand under the Sandpaper while sharpening a knife.
Technique 10 – Use of a Leather Belt to Sharpen a Knife
Using a leather belt is a slightly unusual way of sharpening a knife. You might be hearing this idea for the first time. And doesn't have any idea how to do that. You will be able to do that with your new leather belt.
See the steps first in the following section.
- Step 1: You need to place the belt on a flat surface. And tightly bend the belt with something. It will keep the belt in the same place while working.
- Step 2: Start sharpening the knife, just angling about 30 degrees. As the belt doesn't have any high edges, you need to hold the knife more towards the surface.
- Step 3: Complete Sharpening both sides of the knife by changing the sides. It will take a long time to sharpen the knife completely.
Pro tip: You will require 15-20 minutes to sharpen up each side of a knife.
Which Ways of knife sharpening Need to be Avoid
Well, we have already recommended many alternative ways of sharpening. But there are some risk factors. That's why try to avoid risky ways while using alternative sharpening ways. Such as:
- Sharpening knife with broken glass
- Sharpening knife on highway road
- Sharpening knife with electric wire
Sharpening a knife is necessary because it's an essential kitchen material. Sometimes, you might be using unusual ways. But avoid risky practices.
Especially, never let your children do this. As the knife is a sharp material, that may cause an accident. If you can't do this, it is better to sharpen it with a professional person. Or you can buy an effective knife sharpener immediately.
What Household Items are Usable for Sharpening a Knife
Sometimes, you may want to sharpen a knife with household items. Here are some common items you can choose.
- Coffee Mug
- Nylon strap
- Carboard
- Spine
- Nail file
- Leather belt
Many households' items are usable for sharpening purposes. But, be sure before choosing an item as sharpening may open a gate of risks.
Ways of Preserving Knife for a Long Time
Rust, improper use, or preservation method may decrease your knife's life. It also makes the knife blunt. However, by following the right preserving techniques, you can increase the knife's longevity.
Let's see the following methods to keep your knife new-like always.
- Dry the knife instantly after washing it.
- Use a wooden chopping board; while cutting something.
- Store knives separately by covering them with paper.
- Always use separate boards and knives for cutting different vegetables or food items.
- Store the knife on a dry surface.
- Keep the knife clean and away from water as much as possible.
Following these techniques mentioned above will increase the longevity and working efficiency of a knife.
Conclusion
As knives are necessary, we need to keep the materials sharp enough. However, sometimes there may be a situation where we don't have the luxury of using a traditional sharpener.
Therefore, use alternative ways to make the item fit for use again. You may follow those recommended ways of sharpening a knife or any alternative ways to cope with the situation.
FAQs
What is the Easiest Way to Sharpen a Knife?
Using the traditional sharpener to sharpen a knife is the easiest way. However, if you don't have any sharpers, you need to apply alternative ways. You may try any of the ways mentioned above of sharpening a knife.
Can You Sharpen a Knife Without a Sharpener?
Yes, there are many ways of sharpening a knife without a sharpener. Using sandpaper or river stone can be one of the effective ways. To know more details about these, you can follow our blog.
Can you sharpen a knife with your hand?
Yes, knife sharpening is very easy and mostly done with hands. Hold the knife with your stronger hand, and start sharpening on any steel material. Create an angle of 30 degrees for better sharpening and smooth finishing on the knife's edge. But do the whole process very carefully. And keep children away from doing this thing.