Keeping your kitchen knives sharp is essential for any home chef. Not only does a razor-sharp blade make cooking easier, but it also helps to reduce the risk of injury in the kitchen.
But just how do you sharpen kitchen knives? Here we’ll discuss all the tips and tricks you need to keep your knives as sharp as possible.
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Sharpening with a Whetstone or Honing Steel
The most common way to sharpen a kitchen knife is with a whetstone or honing steel. A whetstone can be used to sharpen both straight-edge and serrated blades, while honing steels are designed specifically for serrated blades.
When using either tool, start by wetting the stone or steel before running the knife along its length at an angle of 20-25 degrees from the blade's edge.
Do this 3-4 times on each side of the blade, making sure to keep your hands well away from the edge at all times.
Finally, rinse off any remaining sharpening residue and dry thoroughly with a cloth before putting away your tools.
Electric Sharpeners
If you don't want to manually sharpen your knives, electric sharpeners are an easy alternative. Electric sharpeners use diamond-coated spinning discs that quickly remove metal from the blade's edge while also polishing it at the same time.
To use an electric sharpener, simply turn it on and place your knife against one of the discs at an angle of 15-20 degrees from the blade's edge before gently pushing it forward along its length several times on each side of the blade.
Once finished, turn off and unplug the machine before wiping down both sides of your knife with a dry cloth and storing away safely until needed again.
Sharpening by Hand
For those who prefer not to use machines or specialized tools, sharpening by hand is still possible if you have enough skill and patience!
To do this, you'll need some fine sandpaper (1000 grit or higher). Start by holding one sheet of sandpaper flat against a cutting board before slowly running your knife along its length at an angle of 15-20 degrees from the blade's edge 3-4 times on each side of the blade.
Once finished, wipe down both sides of your knife with a dry cloth and store away safely until needed again.
Whether you choose to use a whetstone or honing steel, an electric sharpener or even just some sandpaper - taking care of your kitchen knives is essential for anyone who wants them to last as long as possible!
With regular maintenance like this routine outlined above, you can ensure that they stay in perfect condition no matter how often they're used in day-to-day cooking tasks!
So take some time now to practice these basic techniques so that when you next find yourself chopping vegetables or slicing meat - you know exactly what kind of results you will get!
In the market for a new knife? Check out our top picks!
