How to Identify Sharpening Stones
- 1). Assess the shape of the sharpening stone. You can immediately identify a butcher steel because it will be a long, thin, rounded rod with a cylindrical handle. These are used by chefs or in the home to sharpen kitchen knives.
- 2). Check whether the sharpening stone has a distinct, round handle. A handy knife and shears sharpener has an oval-shaped handle, with rounded indentations for a firm finger grip. It has one blade for sharpening, and is not connected to a block. It is also light.
- 3). Verify that the sharpening stone is a block shape. If it isn't a dull gray, brown or black, it's not a sharpening stone.
- 4). Put the stone on its side. Ceramic stones often are two tones. This can be identified as two different-colored layers when you put it on its side.
- 5). Check whether there is a circular pattern on the surface. If so, you have a diamond stone.
- 6). Rub the surface gently with your finger. Do not press too firmly because you could injure your finger. Assess whether the surface is coarse, smooth, fine or bumpy. An Arkansas stone has the finest texture so will be quite smooth. The diamond stone is rougher because it is mixed with stone. Ceramic stone will also have a fine texture, but will feel more synthetic than an Arkansas or diamond stone.
- 7). Lift the sharpening stone. Arkansas and ceramic stones are light, compared with diamond sharpening stones. They are also unlikely to be mounted in a wooden block.
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