Sharpening is timeless!
Having the most beautiful Kitchen knife set but without maintenance, the effectiveness and the pleasure will disappear therefore kitchen knife sharpening information will help you to choose the best sharpening tool.
Sharpening is timeless!. Did you know that sharpening is a profession which goes back to the Middle Ages. Knights used skilled sharpeners to sharpen their swords. In the 17th century the first travel-sharpeners went from door to door to offer their services. nowadays you will find the most advanced tools to sharpen your knives.
1900 till 1970
Pick your choise: Manual or Electric
A relaxed way of sharpening your knife. It’s not a hasty job .Have patience.
Before starting using your knife honing your knife with one or two strokes and the result is amazing.
You will do the entire job with your own hands. Controlled wrist maneuvers will be essential.
Simply pass the blade through the abrasive part and job done with great results.
How to use the whetstone!
- First wet your Whetstone in cold water for one minute.
- Place your whetstone on a wet towel so the stone will not move.
- Each whetstone has two sides. On the side you will find two numbers ( per example #300 and # 1000) the lowest number is your starting side.
- Face knife away from you and place handle end on whetstone at the angle of your blade. Place the blade on a 20 degree angle.
- Place other hand in the middle of the flat side of the blade. Please stay away from the edge with your fingers.
- Draw the blade very slowly from top to the bottom down to the stone in a wide, circulair manner. Do not rush the movements. Repeat this several times. Mostly 3 or 4 times will be enough.
- Clean the knife with water and turn the whetstone with the highest number on top.
- Now repeat the same movements as you did before. 3 or 4 times will be enough.
- Clean the knife with water. Cut a potato in half. Take one half and rub along the blade a few times. Do the same for the other side of the knife.
- Now you will have a “new” knife and if you are not tired you will have some other knives waiting for you!
Using the Honing Rod!
- Looks scary in the beginning but after a few minutes you will master this as a pro.
- Choose a rod with at least 9 inches long. the are available from 8″ till 12″.
- There are multiple sorts of metal and grit fineness. You can choose: steel, ceramic or diamond coated steel.
- My advice use only a honing rod with fine grit. Using a rough one will damage your blade very easy.
- Are you ready!… There are two ways to do this.
- A: two arms in the air and hone the knife. This looks spectaculair and nice to impress your family but it’s less effective.
- B: place the Rod on a kitchen towel hold the rod straight up. Start at the top of the rod in a 15 degree angle then draw the knife smoothly and fairly lightly down the rod. Use the whole blade when you are bringing your knife down. Start all over again for the other side.
- Repeat this between 5 and 8 times for both sides.
- Clean your knife with water.
Using the manual knife sharpener!
- Best Tip: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Every brand has its own instructions.
- Put the sharpener just in front of you and put your left hand over the handle. Take the knife in your right hand.
- Generally start at the bottom and push gently towards the top and then with the same motion pull the knife towards you.
- The manual knife sharpener is relative cheap compared with his electric brother.
Using the electric knife sharpener.
- It will be working for almost every kitchen knives.
- Look for a machines with different slots (20 degrees and 15 degrees)
- Reminder: 20 degree Western style knives and 15 degree for Japanese style knives.
- Some has a special slot for very damaged knives.
- Hold your knife securely but lightly and pull the blade through the desired slots slowly and smoothly.
- Alternate sides for sharpening both sides of your blade.
- Chef’sChoice® Trizor XV® Sharpener is without any doubt the best electric sharpener in the market. Pro chef’s are recommending this electric sharpener.
Conclusion !
There is no #1 and there is no #2. It all depends on your personal preference. If you want to feel completely Zen go for the Whetstone. It’s a perfect way to calm you down. The rod is for a quick job and if you want to impress friends during a BBQ. Two hands in the air and start the show. The choise between a manual or an electric one is a matter of budget. If you have the money go for the electric sharpener.
