Stones for sharpening are an essential part of commercial kitchen equipment that gives your chef’s knife a razor-sharp edge. Here are some key points that you need to know if you’re unfamiliar with these helpful tools.

1. What are the Different Types of Sharpening Stones?

These sharpening tools come in four main categories – synthetic, ceramic, natural, oil, and diamond. The type you choose depends on your personal preference, the knife you’re using, your level of expertise, and other factors. If you’re looking for high-quality sharpening tools for your kitchen, check out this wide range of durable Japanese whetstones from top-notch brands such as Naniwa and Kaiden. They offer stones for both beginners and experienced chefs. Read on to learn more about the different types available!

Ceramic

There are many different quality levels of ceramic stones out there, so it’s important to choose a reputable brand to avoid buying a tool that doesn’t meet your requirements. On one end of the scale, some are so soft that they wear out pretty quickly, while others are too hard and glaze over quickly. Before you use this tool, make sure to soak it in water for some time to fully saturate its pores.

Although there are no strict guidelines for usage, a ceramic stone performs better with certain types of knives than with others. For example, it’s most suitable for the Ao-ko and single-edged blades. For experienced users, I recommend the sharpening whetstones from Kaiden. This Japanese brand offers the fastest cutting tools in Australia.

Synthetic

Synthetic whetstones have gained a lot of popularity during the past few years. They’re typically comprised of white fused aluminium grit suspended in resin. Some of them must soak in water for a short time before use, while others only require a little mist before you start sharpening. You can choose from a wide range of synthetic sharpening tools, depending on whether you prefer a hard or soft feel.

However, some operate well with conventional Japanese single-sided blades as well. I advise using synthetic tools for stainless steel Western-style knives.

Natural

In the past, natural sharpening stones were used excessively in many parts of the world. Sadly, a lot of the Japanese mines that once produced them are now closed. There are several businesses that have a stock of these tools, but like every commodity, the cost is high and rising.

It’s a great pleasure to sharpen your knife with a high-quality natural sharpening stone. There’s almost a spiritual element to this practice of using something ancient to give your modern knife a crisp edge.

The grit size of these tools is unpredictable and provides a durable edge. In essence, the random grits produce uneven micro serrations in the blade that wear down at various rates, resulting in extended edge retention. I wholeheartedly recommend using this tool, especially when honing Japanese knives with a single bevel. Water and natural stones are far more affordable than sake.

Oil

This is the kind of sharpening stone that you’ll often find in the hardware store or in the back shed. In Australia, these tools tend to have a grittier surface. Oilstones tend to cut slowly, and the oil used in them quickly goes bad, so I wouldn’t advise using them often.

Diamond

Diamond stones are gaining a lot of popularity recently due to their capacity to cut quickly. I don’t advise using these tools often either, as they can do a lot of harm. Because of how sharp diamonds are at the Arato level, they can create severe scratches on your blade that will require vigorous polishing. Depending on your preference, you can use these tools with or without lubrication.

2. What Are the Grit Sizes?

There are several grit sizes for these tools. It’s important to mention that a #200 grit stone doesn’t equal a #200 grit piece of sandpaper. The greater the number, the finer the grit.

Stones are divided into three groups by the Japanese:

• Arato, which ranges in grit from 200 to 800 (this is generally a coarse stone);
• Nakato, which stands for “middle stone”, ranges in size from approximately 800 to about 1500;
• Shiageto, which translates to “finishing stone”, is a stone with a grit of up to 1500.

3. How to Choose the Best Sharpening Stones?

Both #400 and #1000 grit stones are excellent tools to start building your stone collection. For most western knives, this will allow you to polish the edge and fix any small chips. Of course, you’ll need a #3000 grit and potentially even higher if you have a single-sided knife like a Yanagiba, depending on how eager you are.

Purchase only stones with a large deck. To keep the knife balanced on the stone, aim for something that’s at least 70mm by 200mm in size.

There’s a vast difference in the quality of these stones on the market. Often local country distributors source cheap stones from China and print the name of the brand they distribute on the stone – with or without the endorsement of the knifemaker. This is why you should buy these tools from a reputable online provider.

The post The Lowdown on Sharpening Stones: Essential Tools to Keep Your Kitchen Knives Sharp appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, aprons have been used as part of uniforms and trades or as a fashion statement. Throughout centuries, the use of aprons has been affected by many industrial and lifestyle changes, however, these days the popularity of aprons only seems to grow.

Most often aprons are used in the food and beverage and hospitality industry by kitchen staff, chefs, bartenders and front of house staff. Choosing quality aprons for your staff or yourself is important for a few reasons.

Complete Your Job with Ease and Never Compromise on Style

Choosing the right apron mainly depends on its intended use and your style preferences. Most aprons these days are unisex, looking great on both men and women, and can be made of various fabrics. They are available in different colours, so you can find what suits your working environment the most.

If you’re working with raw meat, you’ll need the best possible protection for your clothing. A butcher style apron is a great choice as it provides excellent coverage for your upper and lower body and keeps your uniform safe from stains and splashes and your whites professional and hygienic.

However, it’s not only for meat preparation but does the job when you’re working with any type of ingredients. You can choose a butcher style apron to ensure maximum wash and wear durability and complete your modern uniform. It’s a heavy-duty and high-quality apron and you can complement it with a shirt or t-shirt.

Consider Apron Materials and Style

Aprons can be made of different materials and used for the needs of different professionals. To make sure your apron stays in a good shape for a long time, it’s important to read the care instructions before washing it. Most heavy-duty aprons are made of cotton, leather, denim or a blend of fabrics.

Cotton

Cotton aprons are durable and breathable, therefore, an ideal choice for a working day in the kitchen, an art studio or any other similar environment. They can be found in different styles and are convenient for frequent washings.

Leather

Leather is a popular fabric for aprons as it’s very durable and long-lasting. It provides protection for jobs where the staff member is exposed to sparks, fire and other dangerous elements.

Denim

Denim aprons, on the other hand, are a modern, comfortable and durable solution for your professional needs, whether you work in the kitchen, in the garden or in your art studio. They are strong and wrinkle-resistant and can be washed frequently.

Poly-Cotton

Blended fabric aprons are designed in a way that combines the softness of cotton and the wrinkle-resistance of polyester. They are lightweight, durable and machine washable, therefore, a good choice for different working environments.

Bib Style Aprons

Typically, butcher aprons are designed in the most traditional, yet popular style of aprons called bib apron. The design is practical, featuring pockets and adjustable neck loop and waist ties. Bib aprons are stylish and perfect for logos and name embroidery, mostly seen in the butchery, kitchen, garden as well as hospitality or art workshops. Most of them are manufactured to a standard size, however, make sure to check the length before you make a purchase to ensure it meets your needs.

Reasons Why Aprons Are Always Popular

Functionality

Aprons have many benefits, most importantly the functionality they provide. They are mainly used as a functional part of a uniform, offering protection to the wearer’s clothing from food, spills, dirt and germs.

Hygiene

An apron allows the staff to complete their duties in a safer working environment and protect them from spills, backsplash, dirt, heat, dangerous materials and more. Also, aprons are a great solution for keeping the hygiene level in our working environment.

Professional Look

Moreover, aprons with brand logos and names added provide a very professional appearance. They are comfortable and allow easy movement in your working environment, but also, they require low maintenance which can be very important if you’re working in a busy or messy environment.

That’s why it’s important to prioritise your needs and requirements when choosing an apron. No chef needs obstacles when doing magic in the kitchen, same as no butcher needs distractions when working in the back.

Protection

Protection needs are probably the most common reason why people wear aprons at their workplaces. A butcher doesn’t want to stain his or her clothes with blood, same as cooks and chefs in restaurants need a high-quality apron to keep their clothes from being soiled while they are preparing food.

Style

An apron is considered a fashion item these days, an expression of personality and style. It’s a representation of both modern lifestyle and a vintage buy and doesn’t seem to go out of fashion anytime soon.

That’s why it’s important to make sure you complement your uniform or the clothing you’re wearing with your choice of an apron. Bib aprons are available in many different colours, so you can choose the one that fits your style the most. If you want to achieve a more unique look, feel free to play with the adjustable straps and change the apron’s look as you prefer.

The post Butcher Style Apron: Maximum Wash and Wear Durability in One appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.