Alignment The primary purpose of a honing rod is to align the knife’s blade. With extended use, the sharp edge of a knife may become misaligned or bent.
Maintenance Regular honing can help maintain a knife’s sharpness, extending the time between actual sharpenings.
Misconception Unfortunately, a honing rod is not a true sharpener, as it doesn’t remove much material from the blade.
The Distinction Between Honing and Sharpening
Abrasiveness Sharpening involves removing metal from the blade to create a fresh, sharp edge. This can be done using abrasive tools like sharpening stones or electric sharpeners.
Precise Angle Maintaining the correct angle during sharpening is essential to achieve a keen edge, but it can be challenging to master.
Frequency Honing is a regular maintenance task, while sharpening is done less frequently, typically when a knife becomes noticeably dull.
