Many people believe that to sharpen a knife it is essential to have a special sharpener or a professional stone. However, there is a very simple trick that can help you improve the sharpness of your knives using common objects that you probably already have at home.

Some people have tried different at-home methods to bring back the sharpness of knives, but not all of them work equally well. In this article, we’ll look at two popular techniques and which one usually works best.

First method: mixture with starch and baking soda

The first trick is to prepare a small mixture that, according to some people, can help improve the sharpness of the knife.

Materials

• 1 cotton pad
• A little water
• 1 teaspoon starch
• A pinch of baking soda

How to do it

1. Lightly dampen the cotton pad with water.
2. Add a little starch over the damp cotton.
3. Mix gently until it forms a small paste.
4. Add a pinch of baking soda.
5. Place the disc on a firm surface.
6. Run the knife over the disc a few times, keeping the edge angled.

The idea is that this mixture acts as a mild abrasive. However, many people who have tried it comment that the effect is very limited and the knife does not really regain its sharpness.

Second Method: Aluminum Foil and Cardboard

This home method is much better known and usually gives better results.

Materials

• A cardboard tube (such as paper towel or toilet paper)
• Aluminum foil
• A knife or scissors that need to be sharpened

Preparation

1. Cut a small piece of the cardboard tube.
2. Wrap the cardboard with several layers of aluminum foil.
3. Make sure the aluminum fits snugly and firmly around the cardboard.

This will create a slightly abrasive surface that will help improve the sharpness.

Cómo afilar el cuchillo

1. Sostén el cuchillo con un ligero ángulo.
2. Desliza el filo sobre el aluminio como si estuvieras cortándolo.
3. Haz el movimiento de un lado y luego del otro.
4. Repite durante aproximadamente un minuto por cada lado.

Es importante no hacerlo con prisa y mantener siempre el mismo ángulo del filo.

After a few minutes, you can gently run the knife over the surface to remove any small burrs that have formed.

How to check if the knife was sharp

There are simple ways to check if the knife improved its sharpness:

• Cutting a mushroom or soft vegetable
• Cut a slice of bread
• Try to make a fine cut without applying a lot of force

When the knife is well sharpened, it easily enters the food and the cut is clean, without crushing or breaking.

Does it also work with scissors?

Yes. This same trick can help improve the sharpness of the scissors.

You just have to make several cuts on the aluminum wrapped in the cardboard or even on a sheet of aluminum foil folded several times. Rubbing helps to lightly polish the edge.

Tips and recommendations

• Always keep the same angle when running the knife over the surface.
• Don’t push too hard, let the movement do the work.
• Clean the knife after sharpening it.
• If the knife is badly damaged or extremely dull, it is best to use a professional sharpening stone.
• Sharpen your knives regularly to prevent them from losing too much sharpness.
• Store the knives in a suitable holder to protect the edge.

There are many homemade tricks for sharpening knives, but not all of them work the same. Some methods produce hardly any changes, while others, such as the use of aluminum foil on cardboard, can significantly improve the edge in a few minutes. With a little practice and care, it is possible to keep your knives and scissors in good shape without the need for special tools.