Proper Knife Sharpening Angle Depends On The Use Of The Cutting Utensil

February 4, 2010

Knife Sharpeners restore the beveled edge back to the correct angle specifications for the cutting utensil.
What determines the angle is what you will use the knife for. The larger the bevels angle the more durable it will be and the longer the knife blade will last between sharpening. The shallower the bevels angle the sharper and more delicate it will be but the knife blade will require sharpening more often. There are many suitable angles for a beveled knife edge to have but not all are suitable for basic kitchen cutlery.

For example, an 11-degree bevel angle is the narrowest and is used to put a razor-sharp edge on fine-cutting tools, like X-acto blades, woodcarving instruments and other specialty tools. This angle will require the most frequent re-sharpening. Usually X-acto blades are so economical price you can easily dispose of them and replace the blade when it gets dull. Then there is the 15-degree bevel angle and it is most suitable for fillet, boning and uses that require exceptional sharpness and a bit more durability.

For kitchen cutlery the 19-degree bevel angle is recommended. When selecting a knife sharpener it is important to choose one that will restore the kitchen knife to the correct angle. It is also important to have a knife sharpener that is convenient to use so you feel like sharpening your knives often so that spend less time on cutting task and your knives cut better. It is not important for a kitchen knife sharpener to provide a super polished edge. A super polished edge does not slice and dice best for food processing duties required by the chef.

The 22-degree bevel angle provides a wider, more durable edge that is suitable for pocket knives, fixed-blade hunting knives and serrated-blade knives. The 25-degree bevel angle is the widest, producing the longest lasting edge for utility knives, like carpet, linoleum and electrician’s knives.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Electric Knife sharpeners
• 2-Stage manual knife sharpeners.
• Select from the FireStone or DiamondStone sharpening tools product line made in the USA!

Unique Corporate Gift Ideas are more meaningful to Employees when they are Personalized

January 19, 2010

You are on the team that is in charge of planning a corporate event, such as company picnic, corporate anniversary bash, or office holiday party and have been assigned the task of choosing a personalized unique corporate gift for holiday giveaways. Perhaps you would like to select a trendy idea to entertain clients yet provide promotional items & keepsakes for them that have a practical yet personal and unique use at home as well as the office.

Tempered glass unique corporate gifts can be an excellent choice for those planning such events. Several tempered glass retailers found online offer the ability to accept a photo and then that photo can be used to personalize the gift for the gift recipient in a way that no other gift can.

Tempered glass gifts are virtually indestructible. Furthermore, with the ability to personalize each gift selection tempered glass gift items are appropriate for Fortune 500 companies, schools, sporting events, fund raising events, awareness events, organizations, small business, government agencies and many other venues. It should be fun to be inspired by seeing how many thoughtful ways a unique corporate gift can be given.

Since sincere and hard working employees are the real assets of a organization it very important to motivate the employees from time to time and boost their morale on a regular basis. Employee gifts can serve to improve productivity, decrease employee turnover and encourage teamwork in the workplace. The following ideas are included as a guide in helping employers choose thoughtful uniqe corporate gifts for their employees

Perhaps the person receiving a gift would really appreciate a personalized glass coaster set for home or office. A tempered glass refrigerator magnet with the company logo on it in recognition of completing an important milestone can be a clever gift item. Put a picture of a memorable event on a glass art tile that comes with a stand and the employee will proudly be able to display that very thoughtful gift for years to come. Hand out tempered glass ornaments that an employee can display on their festive tree. Create a personalized trivet that can be used as a hot pad in the kitchen.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Glass Coast Set
• Glass Refrigerator Magnets
• Glass Art Tile
• Glass Ornaments
• Glass Trivet (Hot Pad)

Safely Using a Hand Axe to chop Wood

January 14, 2010

Chopping wood is becoming more common with wood burning stoves gaining in popularity as well as for camping – but how do you perform this task safely? The simple task of cutting up logs can be potentially deadly if you don’t follow a few simple rules when using a hand axe to chop wood.

First, keep the hand axe in a sheath over the blade of the axe when not in use. Covering the axe both protects the axe blade and any person who can become injured by the sharp axe blade. Before using a hand axe inspect the wood handle or haft for nicks or cracks. Also, make sure that the blade is attached securely to the haft and that it doesn’t wiggle on the end of the haft. If the blade is not firmly attached to the haft it is possible for the blade to fly off while you are working with it.

For maximum protection it is important to have the correct personal protective equipment like a set of safety glasses and safety boots while chopping wood. With splinters capable of flying in any direction safety glasses are required. Even the smallest piece of wood coming in contact with your eyes can cause a major injury. With the possibility of large pieces of wood falling or the axe missing the target while chopping safety shoes with steel toes are recommended.

Remember to have a firm and stable surface when chopping wood. Never use an axe by attempting cut a log leaning against an uneven surface. The log may spring off to one side but the axe may continue to fall possibly into your leg or foot. The axe may continue to fall hitting a rock which may dull the blade. To maintain a stable surface it is important to keep your chopping area clean and free of debris. When you are finished chopping one log stack the pieces to the side before beginning again with a new log

It is important that the log you are cutting with a hand axe it less than three inches thick and does not contain material in it such as old nails or spikes. Foreign objects imbedded into a wood log can hurl into the air while chopping wood and can injure you or other people in the process. The general rule is that if the wood log has metal in it throw it away it is not worth the trouble the flying metal can cause for a few sticks of wood.

Your cutting stance is very important. When cutting wood with an axe it is important to use both hands to maintain control of the axe. Plant your feet firmly on the ground, a few inches apart to balance your weight. You should be standing right in front of the platform with the log squarely in the center of your line of sight. You need to be balanced in order to deliver the most power with each stroke and be prepared to deal with a situation that may arise while chopping wood.

Now that you have made the important preparations you are ready to chop wood. Lift the hand axe with both hands firmly gripping the haft aim at the center of the log. Your goal is to hit the wood directly in the center. Hitting the wood on the side or to the front can cause a glancing blow may resulting in injury. Put all of your strength behind the axe and deliver the blow. If your axe doesn’t break the wood in half with the first hit, tap the axe now imbedded in the log on the platform until it makes its way down the grain and splits the log into two pieces.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Belt, Utility, Sport, Carving or Hand Axes and Axe Sheaths are available
• Own The Highest quality Axe products GUARANTEED!
• Use the Firestone and Diamondstone sharpening tools to maintain your axes and keep them in working order.

The axe is an essential tool for a well-equipped camper

January 5, 2010

Is your sport enthusiast well-equipped for that highly anticipated camping trip? They may already have a good bucket or shovel to take on their trip but do they have a good hand axe as well? When evaluating good camping trip equipment items that can be used for more than one task are best because they reduce the equipment required to be packed. It is important that all are packed items are in good and usable condition because once at campsite a broken or damaged item may mean that a camper is ill- equipped.

Why an axe you do you say? A nicely sharpened axe will serve well when chopping wood and splitting kindling. Using the back end of the blade will provide a useful hammer for banging in tent pegs. With care the hand axe can also be used for carving, shaping wood as well as for chopping wood. Some advanced uses that can be accomplished with a good hand axe include using it to build a fire stand or a fire screen.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Belt, Utility, Sport, Carving or Hand Axes and Axe Sheaths are available
• Own The Highest quality Axe products GUARANTEED!
• Use the Firestone and Diamondstone sharpening tools to maintain your axes and keep them in working order.

Choicecuttingboards.com knife sharpeners will help to keep your axe sharp. On a camping trip many find that they avoid the use of an axe in favor of a saw because they have often neglected their axe by trying to use a blunt axe. Over time even a saw will need sharpening too so it is beneficial to learn some good sharpening skills. Once you have learned how little time it takes to sharpen a hand axe that hand axe will become an essential camping tool.

Properly Sharpening your Knives

January 5, 2010

You’ve purchased that nice cutting board now it is important to keep those knife blades nice and sharp. Part of being a good cook means to look after your knives. A sharp knife is easier to cut with and you will most likely have fewer accidents with it.

When searching for the best types of knife sharpeners on the market today try to find the two-stone type of sharpener. The two-stone type is the better design because it can be very difficult to sharpen a knife evenly with only one stone. The two-stone type of knife sharpener facilitates that the angle on one side of the knife will be the same as the angle on the other side of the knife. There are many types of two-stone sharpeners on the market today. There are electric knife sharpeners and manual knife sharpeners.

The electric knife sharpener consists of two stones inside the device that spin around. The safest way to sharpen is to place the knife into the electric sharpener up to the handle and draw it back towards you in a smooth and not jerky motion. This method gives an even result as it sharpens both sides of the knife at the same time.

The manual knife sharpener has a cross shape where you place the knife. Place the knife up to the handle and draw it towards you in a smooth and not jerky motion. As in any knife sharpener but in the manual sharpener particularly be aware of the blade edge at all times. Use caution by being very careful that as the knife slips through the cross shape that it does not then slip towards the operator as it exits the knife sharpener.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Electric Knife sharpeners
• 2-Stage manual knife sharpeners.
• Select from the FireStone or DiamondStone sharpening tools product line made in the USA!

You’ve made an investment in both cutting boards and knives now protect your investment by owning some great knife sharpeners. The products offered at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com will ensure that you get the most benefit out of your cutting boards for years to come by providing you with the ability to maintain your knives with their knife sharpening product offerings.

Protect your family and sharpen those kitchen knifes

December 30, 2009

Did you know that a dull kitchen knife is more dangerous than a sharp one? This is because you have to use more force to get that dull piece of metal to cut! The blade does not actually get dull instead what happens is that the sharp edge begins to fold over on itself over time. When used properly a knife sharpener orients the cutting edge back to to its proper or unrolled position restoring the sharpness of your knife.

Wood cutting boards are the best in that they help maintain the knife blade edge but with many households no longer owning a wood cutting board the blades can require maintanence more quickly. So it becomes even more important to have a knife sharpener in your kitchen. Dishwashers also help to dull knife blades. The hot water, chemicals, and movement in a dishwasher can damage even stainless steel cutlery.

It is very easy to sharpen your own knives at home, as long as you have the proper sharpening tools for your type of knife. A sharpener that has two stones placed inside a plastic housing is among the very best of knife sharpeners. All you have to do is hold the sharpener in place and run the knife through in a smooth, firm motion. Using the same technique is also essential when using an electric knife sharper. A smooth firm motion provides an even result as it works on both sides of the knife at the same time.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Electric Knife sharpeners
• 2-Stage manual knife sharpeners.
• Select from the FireStone or DiamondStone sharpening tools product line made in the USA!

Any one of us can nick ourselves with a kitchen knife from time to time but by keeping those knife blades sharp we may be able to avoid those serious injuries that can occur in the household when we use a dull knife.

Avoiding Cross Contamination problems with cutting boards

December 30, 2009

Avoid cross-contamination when cutting different types of foods for the same meal by owning several Kitchen Cutting Boards. This is especially important if you’re cutting raw meats, poultry or seafood and then need to cut ready-to-eat food; consider owning several cutting boards – one for meats, one for cheeses, and one for produce.

Another method that helps to control cross-contamination issues is to be conscientious about keeping meat products away from ready to eat products by bagging meat products right away when you get home from the grocery store. It is also essential to clean up any meat spills right away.

Finally, Do not forgot to disinfect your cutting boards by using one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water, covering the surface of the board with the solution, and then let the cutting board stand in the disinfectant for several minutes. With more than one cutting board it is possible to avoid the extra time required for washing the board before cutting the next item.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Glass cutting boards come in two sizes 9″x12″ and 12″x16″.
• Wood cutting boards in many shapes and sizes.

Be in control and don’t let your beautifully prepared meal be ruined by cross contamination problems in your own kitchen! The many types of cutting boards at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com make it easy to solve your cross-contamination problems.

Having the right cutting board is essential

December 9, 2009

Tempered Glass Cutting Boards have many wonderful designs making them a great addition to your kitchen you can even find ones that match your décor perfectly. First depending on the brand you choose they are virtually indestructible. They are also very resistant to heat and can double as a hot pad.

The hardcore health conscious individual will appreciate that they are very easy to clean either in hot sudsy water or in the dishwasher. Cross contamination issues are no problem as glass cutting boards have a cut-proof surface so bacteria, stains and odors cannot be harbored as they are in other cutting boards.

ChoiceCuttingBoards.com offers the TUPTOP product line that will impress your dinner guests and will add to the ambience of your kitchen.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• Two sizes 9″x12″ and 12″x16″ come in many design patterns or send your photo for a custom design.
• For assistance serving hot foods at the buffet table or mini wet bar our Lazy Susan comes in three beautiful design patterns.
• Smart top counter protectors come in three designs.
• XL 12″x21″ comes in three beautiful design patterns.
• The glass trivet in the gift section is great for hot dishes such as casseroles and for hot-off-the-stove pots and pans.

Whether you’re a TOP CHEF, an everyday mom and dad cooking for yourself and family, or you’re just a hardcore health conscious individual ChoiceCuttingBoards.com has a glass cutting board that will satisfy your needs and will last for years to come.

Using the right cutting board

December 9, 2009

The choice of cutting boards can dramatically improve your knife’s ability to hold an edge. The best choice for keeping your knives sharp is a wood cutting board. The wood is soft enough that it does less damage to your cutting edge. The best cutting boards have the end grain facing up in a butcher block style. This style is durable but allows the knife to slide between the vertical wood fibers.

ChoiceCuttingBoards.com offers several options of end grain wood cutting boards. The SimplyWood product line features an attractive assortment that will be a great addition to every type of kitchen. There are Wood Butcher Blocks for basic Cutting, mincing boards with a mincing knife included and boards suitable to use at your mini bar. With three thicknesses ranging from 3/4” to 1.5” there are suitable selections for either the amateur or gourmet chef.

Selections at ChoiceCuttingBoards.com:

• 1.5” thick can serve as a Wood Butcher Block.
• 8”x8”x1.25” size that is perfect for mincing with a mincing knife included.
• Juice grooves can help to protect your granite finishes or to eliminate the need to clean up messes when cutting up a juicy tomato.
• Grooved handles provide an easy grip when serving foods.
• Checker, Long Grain and End Grain designs.