Why You Shouldn't Waste Your Time Sharpening Knives With Cheap Aluminum Foil

If you like to clean and take care of your knives, you've probably searched for a DIY sharpening hack or two. Ever heard the one about using the bottom of a ceramic mug? How about sandpaper? There's even a rumor that cheap aluminum foil can restore your blade to its former glory. But while these shortcuts might seem convenient at first, they're ultimately going to be less effective, less safe, and do greater damage to your knives than a traditional whetstone, ceramic rod, or diamond steel.

The issue with trying to sharpen knives with something like aluminum foil is that these household objects are far too soft to work on most kitchen knives, especially those made from harder steels. Not only does this approach fail to give you a sharper edge, but it can actually make things worse. Not to mention, a dull knife is far more dangerous than a sharp one because it requires greater force to cut, giving you a greater risk of serious injury. No matter if it's aluminum foil or some other DIY option (such as a car window, broken glass bottles, or leather belts), you risk injuring yourself, chipping your blade, and even cross-contaminating your work station.

Sharpening your knives is never a bad idea, just like sharpening dull lawn mower blades. But cheap hacks simply can't replace the power of a proper tool. Whether you're trying to sharpen a Swiss Army Knife or a kitchen knife, the guidance remains the same: Whetstones, ceramic rods, and diamond steels are all designed to sharpen or hone your knives evenly and safely. Keep in mind that, while professional chefs may hone their knives daily and sharpen them regularly, a home cook probably only needs to sharpen once or twice a year in the first place. 

Besides, at best, all cheap aluminum foil can do for your knife is hone it. This is not the same as sharpening. Honing simply straightens the existing edge without sharpening the metal. Sharpening involves actually removing small amounts of metal to restore the knife's dull edge. Whetstones remove metal from the blade at precise angles for a razor-sharp edge. Ceramic and diamond rods can hone in between sharpenings. Using these approved tools will prolong the life of your knife much better than DIY substitutes like foil.