Whether they’re working in the kitchen, camping, hunting, fishing, or doing something else, many people work with knives daily. Have you noticed your knives don’t slice through materials like they used to, though? That’s likely because the blades are dull. There are dangers of working with a dull knife. Here’s why it’s important to sharpen them.
Dull Knife Dangers
Here’s a question for you: if you’re holding a dull knife in one hand and a sharp knife in the other, which is more dangerous? The answer is the dull knife. A blunt blade can’t function properly or do its job effectively. This can lead to cutting failures. You can expect a dull knife to have difficulty slicing through materials cleanly or easily.
Cuts and Injuries
Injuries are more likely to happen when you’re handling a dull blade. Even skilled knife users can end up knicking themselves or worse with a blunt knife. Cuts and injuries from dull knives are much worse because they tear the skin more.
More Forceful Cuts
Dull blades are unsafe because of how difficult they are to use. The knife user will have no choice but to apply more pressure, leading to less knife control. Sharp blades are easier to use cautiously.
Knife Sharpening Importance
It’s safer to use a sharp knife than a dull knife. Regularly sharpening your blades should be a habit, whether you work with kitchen or utility knives. They’ll bite the surface more readily.
Food cut with a dull blade won’t cook properly. You could end up with different-sized portions and oddly shaped food. Nobody wants to put a mashed tomato on their burger. They’d rather have clean slices.
Using the knife properly will help reduce how often you need to sharpen your knives. Never put your knives away wet, and ensure you’re cleaning them correctly. You should use the right knife for the job.
Proper Knife Sharpening
You’ll discover plenty of knife sharpening options on the market. There are automatic sharpeners and whetstones. If you don’t feel comfortable sharpening the knives yourself, you can always get professional help.
If you want to sharpen them yourself, ensure you understand knife sharpening angles. All blades will benefit from proper knife maintenance and sharpening.
After reading this blog, you’ll hopefully feel more informed about the dangers of a dull knife. If you have yet to sharpen your knives, it’s never too late to start.
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
