Sharpening Ceramic Blades

Sharpening Ceramic Blades

Let’s do a little recap on ceramic blades. They are extremely corrosion resistant, making them ideal for both diving and kitchen use—ceramic is impervious to the acids found in citruses as well as water. Ceramic also has excellent edge retention, so knives with ceramic blades typically don’t need to be sharpened super often. In the event that you do need to sharpen a ceramic blade, however, your life might not be so easy. Sharpening ceramic blades is very difficult, and the material is also very brittle. This makes them even more difficult to sharpen. So, what do you do when you have a ceramic blade that needs to be sharpened?

 

If Your Ceramic Knife Needs Sharpening

Here’s the thing; I did some talking to the fine customer service representatives at Blade HQ because they are all-knowing when it comes to knives. The head of the customer service department told me that no one warranties ceramic blades. This is sad, but true. Because ceramic blades are brittle, it’s entirely possible that the ceramic blade could break while being sharpened. If the blade does break, then you’re out of luck since ceramic blades typically aren’t covered by warranty. The moral of the story here is don’t sharpen your ceramic blades on your own. It’s not worth breaking the blade and being out a knife and having to replace it on your own.

So, what do you do when you buy a knife and it comes out of the box duller than you’d like? In those instances, we recommend that you ship your knife back to the manufacturer so they can sharpen it for you. That way, there’s no risk of accidentally breaking your knife while attempting to sharpen it on your own.

 

How do I Know if My Knife Needs Sharpening?

If you’re new to ceramic blades, you might not be able to tell when your knife needs sharpening. The truth is, ceramic blades are largely the same as stainless steel blades when it comes to figuring out when they need sharpening.

Your biggest clue that your ceramic blade knife needs sharpening is that it will have become dull (shocker, right?). If you start to have trouble cutting things, or if it takes a lot of effort to cut, it might be time to send your knife off to be sharpened. Sometimes you can even tell just by looking down the edge of the knife that it’s becoming dull.

Another way to tell if your ceramic blade needs to be sharpened is by examining the edge closely. If there are tiny chips in the edge that mimic mini serrations, then it’s a good idea to send your knife in to be sharpened.

 

In Summation

So to sum up, if your ceramic knife needs sharpening, be sure to send it in to the manufacturer to sharpen. They will have the skill and equipment necessary to sharpen the ceramic, which is very brittle by nature. Ceramic blades typically are not covered by warranty, so you don’t want to attempt to sharpen your knife and end up with a broken one, especially if it’s your first time sharpening ceramic.

 

Hopefully you feel more enlightened about sharpening ceramic blades now. What other things would you like to know about ceramic blade knives? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below and we’ll look into it for you!

Thanks for stopping by! If you’re in the market for a new ceramic blade knife, be sure to head on over to Blade HQ where there’s a great selection of knives!

 

 

Boker Ceramic Kitchen Knives

boker-7in-ceramic-santoku-130c4s

Boker has a really great line of ceramic kitchen knives. Ceramic blade kitchen knives are a great idea because they stay sharper longer than most other kitchen knives. Less sharpening equals a happy kitchen, am I right? Boker’s kitchen knives are actually pretty lightweight, and they are comfortable in hand. Here’s a look at some of the Boker kitchen knives … Continue reading

Boker Plus Cera-Neck Fixed Blade Knife

boker-plus-cera-neck-02bo670

In an earlier post, we discussed the fact that ceramic blade knives can be great for diving. Even though ceramic is brittle, it is also 100 percent rust free because ceramic doesn’t contain any metal. If you’re going somewhere wet, like say the ocean, then a rust-free blade is a very good thing to have with you. Here’s one pretty … Continue reading

Schrade Ceramic Folding Knives with Carbon Fiber

schrade-sch402-2

Schrade is known for offering quality knives at an affordable price. This folding knife is a great everyday-carry option from Schrade, but it’s definitely not your typical everyday knife. The ceramic blade is 2.75 inches long, so it’s big enough to handle most everyday tasks. The blade—like most ceramic blades—has excellent edge retention. However, ceramic is also quite brittle, so … Continue reading

Boker Plus Gamma Ceramic Folding Knife

Boker Plus Gamma Black Ceramic Folder Folding Knife at BladeHQ.com

If you were in the market for a smaller pocket knife—maybe something to keep in a tool or  tackle box—the Boker Gamma Ceramic Folder is one of the top contenders. This is a small, compact folder with a blade that is a whisper above the two inch mark. It features the G-10 handles; which is perfect for maintaining a grip … Continue reading

Timberline Ceramic Folding Knife

Most ceramic knives come in the form of fixed blade knives or for the kitchen knives. You  seldom come across ceramic folding knives. Might I recommend the Timberline Ceramic Folding Knife.

This knife offers the longevity of a ceramic edge and the ease of an everyday carry knife. The Timberline Ceramic Folder knife features a 3.2″ mirror finished black ceramic blade, a black aluminum handle, steel liner lock frame, barrel spacers for easy cleaning; ambidextrous thumb studs; and a deep clip for comfortable pocket carry. The opening action is smooth. This lightweight 2.4 ounce knife is an excellent everyday carry knife. Rust proof and sharp, this Timberline Knife is a superb deal.

Get a Timberline folding knife today at BladeHQ.com.

 

Talonz Ceramic Neck Knife

When it comes to neck knives, you might be looking for something that you can literally put some real hard use into. Maybe, it is something that you can baton and not have to worry about fit and finish. Possibly, you are simply a collector of neck knives. This may or may not be for you.  If you are anything like me, you will be thinking a ceramic neck knife!? I would almost be afraid to use such a knife. However, there are some fairly large perks to owning such a blade. If you are an avid neck knife enthusiast, the Talonz Ceramic Neck Knife Series is something to consider.


Ceramic knives have slowly been becoming more popular since you don’t have to sharpen them often. However, when they do need some touching up, it takes a skilled sharpener to refine that edge. The only way to sharpen a ceramic blade is with a diamond grit sharpener. At the same time, that is risky business since the blade is very brittle.

A good perk to a ceramic edge is that ceramic is harder than its steel competitors. There are quite a few different kinds of ceramic that have different hardness. The Talonz neck knife uses a high quality ceramic that is made to be tough. It is made from Zirconium Oxide (ZrO). On the other side of things, ceramic is so hard that it is susceptible to breaking or chipping.

If you are looking for a really light weight (1.4 oz) blade that will hold a real edge for an extended period of time, this knife designed by Jim Eriksen is the knife for you. Sure, it might not be able to take a beating like some other neck knives. However, it will more than satisfy with a more simple task. (Aside: No matter the material of the blade, every knife has its flaws.)
Frankly, if you are looking for a collectible neck knife or something that is low maintenance, the Talonz Ceramic Neck Knife is something to put into consideration. With a knife like this, you aren’t going to be resharpening after each and every use, a feature that I think we can all get along with.

You can pick one of these bad boys up for under $55.00 at BladeHQ.com.

Ceramic Knife Properties

 

Ceramic knives have a purpose in this world. If you are unsure of what purpose it holds in your life–or if it even holds a purpose–and need help deciding, below are most of the relevant properties of a ceramic blade. A ceramic knife may or may not be a good fit for you, but it’s nice to know all the facts before making that decision.

  • Does not corrode in harsh environments; resistance to strong acids and caustic substances.

Ceramic is a very hard and tough substance. Zirconium Dioxide (zirconia) is often the material used to produce this hard ceramic: A blade is produced by dry pressing zirconia powder and firing them through solid-state sintering, an atomic diffusion process. The resultant blade is non-porous and hard. The molecular structure of processed zirconia makes it a non-porous material. In layman terms,  it does not corrode or stain and has a resistance to strong acids and caustic substances.  You can take it scuba diving or drop it in water and not have to worry about rust and corrosion. It ranks 8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness compared to an average of 6.25 for hardened steel (1 for talc and 10 for diamond).

  • Non-magnetic and will not conduct electricity.

Ceramic knives are not seen by conventional metal detectors. Many manufacturers include some kind of detectable metal to ensure that they are seen by standard metal detecting equipment.

  • Retain their edge much longer than their metal counterparts

Ceramic blades rarely (emphasis on the rarely) need sharpening. The hardness of the ceramic  allows the blade to keep its edge almost indefinitely. You get ‘everlasting’ sharpness, but you loose durability of the blade. The harder a knife, the more brittle it becomes. A softer knife needs to be sharpened more often, but it can survive misuse, abuse and a bit of hard love. Ceramic blades are very brittle. They may break when dropped on a hard surface. Cannot be used for chopping through bones or frozen foods, or in other applications which require prying, which may result in chipping or catastrophic failure. Ceramic blades a better suited to culinary uses: cutting boneless meats, vegetables and fruits.

  • Easy to clean.

Due to its non-porous and rust-free like qualities, cleaning a ceramic blade is easy. Bacteria, germs and the like cannot bind to the surface of the blade, making sanitation almost hassle-free. Use warm water and a tiny bit of detergent, and gently clean the blade.

 

You can find ceramic knives (from folding knives to kitchen knives) for great deals at BladeHQ.com!

Ceramic Blades VS Steel Blades

Timberline M'bogo Ceramic Gut Hook Skinner Knife Fixed Blade (3.25" Plain) 8000

This is a question that I seem to be coming across more and more. Nobody really goes into detail on which really is better. Today, we are going to compare the two. The main focus is going to be ceramic knives; everybody knows about steel knives.

Okay, a few things you need to know about ceramic knives: they are fragile. You will likely hear stories about people dropping and shattering ceramic knives as if they were a Ming vase. Like most legends, this isn’t true. Yes, they are fragile, but they don’t shatter. The blades usually break or chip. I have never had any of my ceramic knives shatter when dropped or banged against anything—this is something that I have personally tested. Usually with a larger ceramic blade it is more likely to chip than with a smaller ceramic blade.

A ceramic knife is extremely sharp and remains sharper longer than your average steel knife. Ceramic knives are much harder to sharpen because the only recommended way is to sharpen them with a diamond dust coated spinning wheel or diamond coated stones. Steel blades dull quicker than ceramic blades, but they are much easier to sharpen. The average ceramic edge will remain sharp for about 3-5 years, compare to a steel blade.

When cooking, chopping or parring, I prefer ceramic to steel blades. Parring is obviously easier to do if the knife is much sharper; the sharper, the better. Ceramic knives are designed to chop vegetables, fruit, filet fish and chop boneless meat. Obviously you will want to be very careful when you are doing this because you don’t want to hit that blade against anything harder than ceramic. If you blade does encounter something hard, you will most likely find your edge chipped.

Another perk to working with a ceramic knife is the fact that they do not rust. Steel blades can rust if not properly taken care of. If you live near a large body of water or somewhere that is very humid, steel is bound to rust. Ceramic doesn’t rust and is extremely easy to clean. If you are a fisherman, a knife that is easy to clean, stays sharp and isn’t susceptible to water is preferred.

You might notice a that there is somewhat of a pattern. It’s not simple to see, but I will be kind enough to point it out. Ceramic knives are designed for a special kind of job! Steel knives are designed to do just about everything else. In reality, comparing the two is like saying truck vs car! A truck is designed to pull things, haul loads and go off-road. Whereas cars are simply for transportation. That being said: let’s take a look at some of the type of jobs a ceramic blade would be good for.

First up, being a professional chef, ceramic edges are perfect for just flying through fruits and vegetables. Being as light as they are, they are really easy to get some speed when chopping things up. Cleaning as you go has never been as easy. All your really have to do is rinse it off. And tada! It’s clean and sanitized. No scrubbing and dish soap isn’t necessary. Ceramic blades are not porous; therefore odors, bacteria and germs, slime, etc cannot adhere to its surface. Chefs don’t always have time to stop and sharpen up a knife.

Another great job a ceramic knife would have is working with a scuba diver. It is important for them to have a knife that isn’t going to rust and fall apart on them. With ceramic, you don’t have to worry about any sort of rust or corrosion. Yes, they make steals that are rust-resistant. The key word is rust-resistant; not rust-proof. Steel knives that are labeled rust-resistance still can rust.

If you are a scuba diver, a ceramic knife is the right knife for you. You can take the knife with you while scuba diving without having to worry about rust or erosion. One downfall to having a ceramic knife when you’re scuba diving is if you need to cut something hard, your ceramic knife will more likely hinder than help. Ceramic knives are more fragile and you will have a higher chance of chipping your edge on something.

Overall ceramic blades stay sharp; are sanitary; and are great for food preparation, fishing and any activities that require soft things to be cut.

Post a comment and let me know what you have experienced with ceramic knives.

Caring for Ceramic Blades

Ceramic blades have started to become extremely popular in recent years. This is largely because of the sharpness and blade retention the ceramic material provides. These blades can sometimes require a little more care than a steel blade but they will almost never need to be sharpened. If you follow a few simple steps to care for the blade you will never have to worry about having a dull knife again.

Boker Plus Anti-MC Ceramic Pocket Knife w/ Titanium Handle (3.25" Plain) 01BO035

The first thing you should do to care for your ceramic blade is to always use it properly. Although these are sharp they are primarily for cutting softer items like fruit, vegetables, meat, fabric or rope. If you use the knife to chop hard items like bone or frozen food it can cause the blade to chip, which will affect the sharpness. You should only use your ceramic blade for cutting softer items if you want to avoid chips or a broken blade. These blades are too fragile to use as a prying, crushing or heavy chopping tool. When slicing something with a ceramic blade you should always use a soft cutting board such as wood, plastic, or bamboo. Harder surfaces like glass, stone or marble will increase the chances of damaging the blade or affecting blade sharpness.

Meyerco Medium Sovereign Ceramic Folding Knife Blackie Collins (3.4" Plain)

Knives with ceramic blades are very popular with chefs and cooking enthusiasts because they are sanitary, easy to clean and always sharp. Ceramic knives are non-porous, so bacteria and germs cannot permeate and contaminate the blade. They can be quickly cleaned with warm water and a little detergent. It is important to only hand wash the blade and never put it in a dishwasher. This will cause the knife to bounce around against other dishes and possibly chip or break the blade. Giving the knife a gentle hand washing is all it will take to clean any debris or bacteria off the blade.

Boker 5" Ceramic Kitchen Utility Knife w/ Ebony Handles 130C5S

You will rarely have to worry about sharpening a ceramic knife due to the hardness of the blade. These blades can retain their edge for well over 5 years. Because this material is so hard, the only thing that will sharpen it is a diamond sharpening stone. This is a complicated task that is best left to a professional knife sharpener. Lastly you should be sure to store your blade in a sheath, knife block or knife case. If you take proper care of your ceramic blade knife it will literally stay sharp for years.

Benchmark Avenger Ceramic Folding Knife w/ Red Jigged Bone Scales (White PLN)

In short, a ceramic knife offers better sanitation and a longer lasting edge as long as you take care the blade properly by following:

3 Quick Tips for Ceramic Knife Care

  1. Use the knife for cutting soft items (ie Food (no bone cutting), fabric and rope).
  2. Hand wash only: Warm water and a tiny bit of detergent.
  3. Store you blade in a sheath or knife block/case.