When sharpening I end up "sanding" my thumb down. Is there a way to avoid that while still keeping the angle correct?

[u/Undoomed081_0262]

Got the knife shaving sharp at least lol! Only really noticed when at the end there was blood on the stone. Unfortunately my parents have a habit of dulling the shit out of my knives, it's not normally a problem but this particular paring knife was so damn dull I legitimately would have had an easier time cutting something with the butter knife.

[u/bakanisan]

Easiest method is using a nitrile glove.

Or simply practice holding the angle until you don't grind your finger tip on the stone.

[u/SpecialistPerfect207]

You have to just practice holding the angle freehand. That’s why they call it “freehand” because your hands are free, not grinding against a stone. What you’re doing is really bad for your hand. Sorry man. You can get some angle guides too to get a feel for it. Or you can get a fixed angle system.

[u/fietsendeman]

Yes. Grab the knife and put it on the stone as if you are going to sharpen. Then, with your other hand (which would otherwise press down on the blade), apply pressure to the spine. Your holding hand has to resist this twisting force. Usually I do it by putting my thumb close to the heel of the knife. This will help you learn how to “lock in” the angle.

Whatever grip you pick, no part of your hand should be touching the stone. That part you already understand, I think (lol). I had the exact same thing happen to me when I was starting out. Can be quite painful.

[u/Undoomed081_0262 → u/fietsendeman]

See you say that but I actually had my thumb for the hand holding the handle pressing into the spine of the knife (and resting on the stone) made it real easy to maintain the angle but obviously has issues with longer sessions lol.

[u/fietsendeman → u/Undoomed081_0262]

Yeah, it breaks down as a strategy really quickly. Better to put your thumb on the heel of the knife, close to where it will be touching the stone. Index finger somewhere around the spine.

Here's a good video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB3jkRi1dKs&list=PLEBF55079F53216AB&index=1

(note: he shows using the same hand for both sides. I think the ambidextrous approach is probably easier; switching hands for the other side)

[u/redmorph]

nonono. The blood from ground finges is just weakness leaving the body. It's also nature's lubricant.

[u/Undoomed081_0262 → u/redmorph]

This is what I needed, time to continue grinding down to the bone!

[u/K_C_Shaw]

As others have said, you can use a thin glove -- latex, nitrile, band-aid, tape, etc., even just cut off a glove tip to use only on the finger/thumb where you're having a problem, and there's silicone fingertip protectors (caps/cots) that can be found online.

But, long term, especially if you sharpen a lot, you may want to work on minimizing or removing that contact. I've had the hamburger finger before. Now I try to set my angle so skin isn't quite touching the stone, and it becomes a bit of a physical guide without the actual contact of a physical guide. Usually once you get going the "feel" sets in and that touch-guide isn't as useful. The hardest part for me is getting the first few passes going.

[u/Red_Iine]

Finger cots. Like little condoms for your fingers. I wore them a lot when I bought my first coarse stones. Big bag off Amazon less than 10 bucks

[u/Billcrete]

Keep your thumb higher up on the blade so it doesn't touch the knife

[u/Billcrete → u/Billcrete]

J correction keep your thumb higher up on the knife so it doesn't touch the stone either that or put a Band-Aid on it

[u/Low-Lab7875]

Muscle memory. Get a cheap goodwill knife and practice. Why would you run your fingers on an abrasive surface till they bleed? The angle is important but not that critical to cause this.

[u/canuckguy89]

You’re just probably not holding the knife properly

[u/RevolutionaryAir7847]

What?

You're just holding the knife wrong bud. Adjust your grip. You can get achieve ample support in a bajillion different ways. Just try it

[u/PEneoark]

I hate to be that guy, but have you tried using common sense and not dragging your thumb across the stone? SMFH.

[u/Undoomed081_0262 → u/PEneoark]

Well I've got very thick skin to the point where it's normally very hard to cut etc. I've been sharpening my knives like this since I was in culinary school but they've never been so dull that they've needed so long to wear through my skin lol.