Unusual Methods for Honing and Sharpening Knives

/ Ben / 4 Comments
Sharpen Knives without Sharpeners

Long before commercial knife sharpeners, people around the world used rocks to put an edge on their blades. That still holds true today. (Shutterstock photo)

TLDR: Anything as hard or harder than steel can sharpen a knife. Softer materials, such as newspapers, can hone.

In honor of my recent binge of MacGyver on Netflix (viva technology!), I’d like to share with you the secret about sharpening and honing knives: harder objects will sharpen softer objects, and softer objects can hone harder objects. Voila! You are now smarter than 90 percent of the consumer knife market.

I’m oversimplifying here, but it’s true. If your character is in a pinch and needs to sharpen or hone a knife using only mundane objects (i.e. not traditional knife sharpening equipment), here are a few suggestions. Continue reading →

Join Me at the 2016 Writer’s Digest Conference

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Writer's Digest 2016 Manhattan New York City

Cool deal: Use code SOBIECK16 when registering for $25 off!

To prove once again to my peers, the government, blood relatives, my creditors and other interested parties that I am indeed a real person and not a figment of an overactive imagination, consider this your official reminder to come see me at the 2016 Writer’s Digest Conference on Aug. 12 to 14 in New York City. All the information you need is right here. Continue reading →

What’s the Deal with that iPhone Gun? Answers for Fiction Writers

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Concealed smartphone gun folding pistol

That this could all be malarkey actually plays to your advantage as a writer. (Image via Ideal Conceal)

TLDR: Not much.

Earlier this year, a company near me in the Upper Midwest called Ideal Conceal debuted a firearm that bears a striking similarity to a smartphone. Designed to fire .380 caliber ammunition from two separate barrels, Ideal Conceal’s firearm folds into a square reminiscent of an iPhone, allowing it to slip into a pocket like any other mobile device.

This so-called “cell phone gun” or “iPhone gun” entered the news cycle with plenty of controversy, especially given the focus in recent years on officer-involved shootings, self-defense laws and firearm legislation. One senator even called for a pre-emptive investigation into its legality.

Does this mark the beginning of firearms hidden in everyday objects? Will this make it easier for people ineligible to own a firearm to carry one in public? And what does this have to do with writing fiction? Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading →

Why Would Someone Need to Aim a Shotgun?

/ Ben / 4 Comments

writing shotguns in fiction tips

Isn’t this good enough? (Shutterstock photo)

TLDR: Shotguns aren’t idiot-proof, and they’re only as accurate as the people/characters using them.

Shotguns are supposed to be the White Castle Crave Case of firearms: they’re a hit every time. (If you don’t like White Castle, pretend that you do.) It’s a matter of pointing the firearm in the general direction of the thing that needs to be shot, pulling the trigger and letting a flock of shot (aka BBs or the small, spherical projectiles fired out of shotguns) do the thinking for you. Right?

If you know this blog, you know the answer isn’t that clear cut. Shotguns firing shot (I’ll skip slugs for now) still need to be aimed. Here’s why. Continue reading →

Honing vs. Sharpening Knives: What’s the Difference?

/ Ben / 3 Comments
Writing fiction tips knives

(Photo by Bob Knight via sxc.hu)

TLDR: “Honing” doesn’t remove metal from the blade. “Sharpening” does.

I wish I had a crisp $100 bill every time I read a piece of fiction that used “honing” and “sharpening” incorrectly when depicting a character handling a knife. (Why cut myself short and settle for nickels and dimes?) I’d have enough to retire on a choice Greek island. These terms describe similar actions, but are different in one major way. Continue reading →