How to Sharpen an Obsidian Knife
Knife blades are made from a variety of materials, including metal, titanium, plastic, ceramic, glass and obsidian. Obsidian is produced in nature when felsic lava is forced from a volcano and does not experience crystal growth while cooling.
Because of its chemical composition, which allows it to obtain a nearly molecular thinness, it is an idea material for making surgical scalpel blades. It is a naturally formed glass that can be crafted to a much sharper cutting edge than steel scalpels. The material is also used in some sports knives.
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Stand in front of the kitchen counter and place the sharpening stone, vertically, on the counter top.
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Place the blade flat on the stone, positioning the length of the knife at a 45-degree angle to the stone.
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Grasp the handle of the knife, with your index finger along the blade's backside.
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Raise the blade's flat side surface off of the stone at a 20-degree angle, but keep the blade edge on the stone.
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Draw the knife toward you, while keeping the edge in contact with the stone. While doing so, maintain the 20-degree angle achieved when lifting the backside of the knife from the stone and the 45-degree angle of the knife's length position to the stone. Apply medium pressure as you draw the knife across the stone.
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Turn over and repeat the procedure on the other side of the blade while maintaining the position of the angles.
The Drip Cap
- Knife blades are made from a variety of materials, including metal, titanium, plastic, ceramic, glass and obsidian.
- Because of its chemical composition, which allows it to obtain a nearly molecular thinness, it is an idea material for making surgical scalpel blades.
- Draw the knife toward you, while keeping the edge in contact with the stone.
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Writer Bio
Ann Johnson has been a freelance writer since 1995. She previously served as the editor of a community magazine in Southern California and was also an active real-estate agent, specializing in commercial and residential properties. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from California State University, Fullerton.
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