How to Sharpen Knives – Top 3 Ways to Sharpen Kitchen Knives

As a Chef of 17 years, I am often asked how to sharpen knives. One of the most frustrating and dangerous things in a kitchen are blunt knives. A sharp knife is a chefs best friend, so it’s helpful to know not only how to sharpen knives, but also how to keep them sharp.

Let me explain just how easy it is to sharpen kitchen knives. There are a few different knife sharpening methods.

• You can draw your knife across a sharpening steel. This method is really only suitable for maintaining an existing edge.
• You can rubbing your knife on a sharpening stone. This takes a little practice and patients, but you will get there over time.
• Or you can use knife sharpening machines or sharpening devices. Often the easiest.

1. 1. How to Use a Sharpening Steel Assuming you’re right handed, hold the handle of the steel in your left hand out in front of you. Holding the knife in your right hand (by the handle of course) you now need to place the cutting edge of the knife onto the steel at a 90 degree angle to the steel. Now lower the blade toward the steel by half, and then by half again. This will give you the correct angle at which you will draw the knife across the steel. Now that you have figured out the correct angle, place the heel of the knife at the tip of the steel and slowly draw it down to the base of the steel, ensuring you take care to draw the entire length right to the tip of the knife. Now simply repeat the process on the opposite side. Do this about 8 times on each side. Be careful though, you can injure yourself if you’re not careful. Watching a video on how to sharpen knives will make it a lot easier to pick up..
   2. How to Use a Sharpening Stone The best way to sharpen kitchen knives (if you know how) is to use a sharpening stone. Place a damp cloth on the kitchen bench. Place the stone on the cloth to prevent it from sliding away. Use the same method as above to work out the correct angle. Once done, you can draw the knife across the face of the stone in a forward motion away from you. Starting at the tip and working the entire blade to the heel, gently work even swipes on each side being careful not to change the angle too much. This method, much like a steel, takes some time to get the hang of. So be patient and work at it bit by bit
   3. Knife Sharpening Machines – Which One is The Best One? Which ones are the best and how do you use them? There are so many types and models that do different things for different knives. So how do you know what one to choose? Easy. 99% of Chefs will sharpen their knives on a stone, but there are some great knife sharpening machines available that are recommended by Chefs. Not everyone has the skill or confidence to use a steel or stone, so finding the best knife sharpeners to sharpen kitchen knives is a good start. I personally like the Chefs Choice brand. The name says it all. They’re easy to operate and easy on the budget too.

A sharp knife is a chefs best friend, so it’s helpful to know not only how to sharpen knives, but also how to keep them sharp. By practicing these basic methods you should be able not only save money on professional sharpening, but also prevent a nasty cut because of a blunt knife.