Quickly Sharpen Dull Box Cutter Blades With A Common Household Item

In a pinch, many people might reach for their car keys, a pair of scissors, or a regular old kitchen knife to help them open boxes. While these substitutions for box cutters might be able to get the job done, they're likely not nearly as efficient as an actual box cutter, which is a tool that every homeowner should have. Like most blades, your box cutter will eventually get dull, and you'll want to make sure to sharpen it. A dull box cutter is not only difficult to use, but it's also far more dangerous than a sharp one. This is because you'll need to put a lot more force behind a dull box cutter for it to work, and the blade will in turn be more likely to slip and cause harm. While the easiest and most recommended way to sharpen a blade is with a sharpening stone, not everyone has one of these on hand. Instead, you can turn to a common household item you almost definitely already have — a ceramic coffee mug.

This hack works because ceramic is great for sharpening blades. In fact, many sharpening stones are made of ceramic. However, this hack won't work with all ceramic mugs. It will work only with ceramic mugs that are not glazed on the bottom, because you need that abrasive edge for sharpening. You don't specifically need a coffee mug either. Any plate, bowl, or mug made from ceramic with an unglazed bottom will do.

To sharpen your box cutter with a ceramic coffee mug, flip the mug upside down so the abrasive ring is facing up, and lightly dampen the ring. Then, place the blade against the ring and tilt it so the sharp edge is on the ring at about a 20-degree angle. Once the blade is angled properly, run the edge against the ring in nice, smooth strokes. Repeat the process on the other side of the blade, and dampen the ceramic when you switch sides. To check if the blade is sharp, you can have a go at slicing a piece of cardboard. If it cuts easily, your box cutter is sharp! If not, you can repeat the process. Keep in mind, you can also use a coffee mug to easily sharpen your kitchen knives.

Ceramic dishes aren't the only common household items that can be used to sharpen your box cutter. You can also use a nail file, sandpaper, or even a leather belt. It's even possible to sharpen a box cutter or dull knife with aluminum foil — although it's possible this trick can cause some damage to the blade. When attempting any DIY blade sharpening hack, you want to be extra careful — not just so you don't damage the blade but also so you don't hurt yourself. With this particular hack, be careful not to apply too much pressure to the ceramic mug to keep it from shattering.