A good kitchen knife is a pledge of beautifully sliced dishes and a contented chef. It is considered to be correct that the device that performs its main function - cuts, and does not break the products. But after long-term operation, even professional models lose their sharpness. Then there is the need for a musata.
What it is?
Musat is a hand tool for straightening knives, which allows you to maintain the presentable appearance of the knife and extend its service life. With its appearance, it resembles a regular semi-circular file. Depending on the application, musats are classified according to the following types.
- Household - from 18 to 23 cm. Practice for sharpening conventional kitchen knives.
- Universal - from 26 to 29 cm. Their cost is higher than the previous version. Be sure to be present in the configuration to the expensive cutters. Suitable for hard blades.
- Professional - from 26 to 36 cm. Used for straightening knives that cut meat.
Cooks generally prefer to use short musats, 26 cm long.
Varieties
Musatov distinguish by material. For ceramic characterized by a special coating. On one side there are notches that allow processing the metal layer of the knife. On the other hand, the surface is smooth - for polishing and straightening. Such a tool is necessary for sharpening old devices or products with a not very strong surface.
Diamond the tool can sharpen a knife in several movements, polish the surface and make an edit. For its manufacture in industry uses special chrome steel, which is characterized by high strength. The outer part is covered with diamond particles. The knife after processing remains sharp for a long time.
As soon as you’ve finished working with diamond dust, be sure to rinse it by hand to keep the tool intact for a long time.
Metal device Made of chrome-vanadium steel. Differs in the high hardness and different working surfaces.
Musat differ in form, which is necessary to choose, focusing on the main goal. If you need the most lightweight tool, it is rational to choose round model. To create maximum intimate contact with the surface - on oval.
It is believed that the best results in sharpening can be obtained when operating a flat tool. Four-sided instruments are a symbiosis of several types and are necessary in special cases.
Recommendations for selection
To select a quality tool you must observe the following rules.
- Choose a model in which you can see your own reflection. Professional chefs are guided by this indicator.
- The magnet on the tip of musat increases the level of comfort of its operation. After all, it is so easy to remove dust from the knife.
- To protect your fingers from possible damage, choose models where there is a guard between the handle and the rod.
- From materials pay special attention to ceramics, since such a tool is characterized by durability and excellent grinding properties without harm to the steel of the knife.
Ceramic musat is fragile, so you need to be very careful with it, because each blow forms chips and cracks.
- Follow the rules for storing the instrument.If, for example, diamond tools are stored with knives and other hard objects, then it will quickly become dull.
Before choosing a musat, carefully check the quality of the product and its rating in relation to the other models. From a good diamond tool does not pour coating. Ceramic models have no visible mechanical damage. The density of the steel model is uniform, without roughness. And only with the observance of these indicators it is possible to buy the best trash from the market.
Sharpening details
Due to the active use of the blade quickly become blunt, and the chef can only work with a very sharp knife. Houses also need to increase the level of sharpness of the knife. At least that which is most often used. Buying new models is unprofitable from an economic point of view, and it is unreasonable when there is musat. But for many, it still lies idle, because at first glance it is not entirely clear how to use it. Practice several methods of straightening knives.
In midair - sharpening technique, which involves the use of musat on weight. Thanks to this technique, the knife sharpens easily and quickly.
First you need to put the knife at a small angle, up to a maximum of twenty degrees, relative to the working surface. Then you should sharpen with quick movements, but without too much fuss. Fuss will not speed up the process, but it is possible to get hurt.
- Take a knife in the hand, which is used to work, and put the blade on the bottom of the musat. The cutting surface must be “away from you”.
- Run the blade across the musatu without moving the instrument from the set position.
- Do not apply too much force when working. It is better to make a couple of easy approaches than one, but with more effort.
- After several such actions, turn the knife over and perform the same actions on the other side.
To sharpen a knife, just walk the tool about five times. But it is effective for knives, which are being wound regularly. If the accessory is already very blunt, then the number of approaches should be doubled.
There is a more simplified version - Calmly. According to this method, even a novice can grind a knife. The method involves sharpening with the support - boards or tabletops. Thus, it is much easier to identify and maintain the correct angle. The operation algorithm is similar to the previous method, but it still has some differences.
- The subject should rest on the table in a vertical position, and then positioned at an angle of 20 to 25 degrees.
- Run the knife across the musatu perpendicularly.
- Move the tool exclusively up and down. Tear the tool away from the surface to lift it up.
Make sure that the knife does not slide on the surface, and was firmly installed - the only way to sharpen the tool. Otherwise, the knife will be blunt even faster.
Knife Editing
The above device can be useful not only for sharpening a kitchen appliance, but also in order to fix the blade. For this you need to use some recommendations.
- Musat is installed, as in the case of sharpening, the surface should be non-slip, you can put a towel under the tool.
- Then you need to tilt the device to the same degree as in the previous case.
- The edge of the kitchen appliance should be attached to the right - where the rod begins, and spend from end to bottom. This action must be performed until the blade of the device acquires the necessary shape.
If you learn to edit kitchen appliances, they will last much longer.
How to determine the effectiveness of the trash?
After you have done the sharpening, you need to check the sharpness of the knife with the following options.
- Test with paper. Take a piece of paper and try to cut off a strip from a sheet. With a sharp knife this action is easy to perform. The dull blade will slide off or just tear the paper in jagged and untidy pieces. For the experiment, use absolutely any sheet.But it is better to take a magazine, because it is thinner than other types. To cut it, you need a very high-quality sharpening.
- Tomatoes. Every housewife knows that it is impossible to cut the tomatoes beautifully with a blunt knife, because instead of neat slices you will get gruel. Try not to put pressure on the vegetable, but simply cut off a small slice from the end. If the blade easily makes beautiful slices, then it is sharp. With a poor sharpening knife just slip off the surface of the vegetable. And it will not work cut without effort.
- Hand hair. For the experiment, you need hair on your own hand. Swipe blade against hair growth. Be careful not to get hurt. If the blade is really sharp, the hair will be easily cut. And if blunt, then the hair will simply bend.
- Thumb. To use this verification method, you must possess certain skills. Spend careful movements across the thumb, without touching the very edge, so as not to cut yourself. The sharp blade is characterized by a clear edge, and a blunt - oval.
Experts recommend using musat only as a preventative fix. If you carry out these actions regularly, the knives will last a long time.
But for deeper sharpening such an accessory will not help, it will only damage the coating. Here you can recommend the use of special grinding machines. Also, do not use musat for wavy and serrated blades.
Do not forget about the proper storage of musat. After he has fulfilled his functions, he must be kept in limbo. Just hang it on a hook or put it on a special stand. Wash the instrument by any means using a sponge or soft sponge. These actions are important to increase the service life of the device.
In the next video, you will learn how to edit a knife on a ceramic muscat.