As a chef, a home cook or a lover of sharp knives, keeping your knives sharp is one of the most important things you can do in your kitchen. A dull knife is not only frustrating to use, but it also poses a safety hazard. In this article, we will explore the different techniques and tips you can use to sharpen your knives effectively and safely.
Understanding Knife Sharpening
Before we dive into the different techniques of sharpening your knives, it’s important to understand the basics of knife sharpening.
The Anatomy of a Knife
A knife consists of two main parts: the damascus steak knives and the edge. The blade is the entire metal piece, while the edge is the sharpened part that does the cutting. The edge is composed of two parts: the bevel and the angle. The bevel is the sloped surface that leads to the edge, while the angle is the degree of the bevel.
Types of Knife Sharpeners
There are different types of knife sharpeners available on the market, and each has its pros and cons. They include:
- Whetstones
- Electric sharpeners
- Sharpening steels
- Pull-through sharpeners
Techniques for Sharpening Your Knives
Now that we understand the basics of knife sharpening and the types of sharpeners available, let’s dive into the different techniques you can use to sharpen your knives.
Using a Whetstone
A whetstone is a traditional and effective way to sharpen your knives. Here’s how you can use it:
- Soak the whetstone in water for 10-15 minutes.
- Place the whetstone on a flat surface with the coarse side facing up.
- Hold the knife at a 20-degree angle to the stone and start running the blade across the stone.
- Continue to sharpen the blade, alternating sides until you have a burr (a slight ridge of metal that forms along the edge).
- Flip the stone over to the fine-grit side and repeat the process.
- Finish by honing the blade with a leather strop or a honing rod.
Using an Electric Sharpener
An electric sharpener is a quick and easy way to sharpen your knives. Here’s how you can use it:
- Place the electric sharpener on a flat surface.
- Turn on the sharpener and run the blade through the appropriate slot (coarse or fine).
- Repeat the process until you get the desired sharpness.
Using a Sharpening Steel
A sharpening steel is a long metal rod used to hone and sharpen knives. Here’s how you can use it:
- Hold the sharpening steel vertically with the tip resting on a cutting board or other flat surface.
- Hold the knife at a 20-degree angle to the steel and place the heel of the blade at the base of the steel.
- Pull the blade towards you, sliding it down the steel while maintaining the angle.
- Repeat the process, alternating sides until you get the desired sharpness.
Using a Pull-Through Sharpener
A pull-through sharpener is a device with two sharpening slots (coarse and fine) that you can use to sharpen your knives. Here’s how you can use it:
- Place the pull-through sharpener on a flat surface.
- Run the blade through the coarse slot a few times.
- Run the blade through the fine slot a few times.
- Finish by honing the blade with a leather strop or a honing rod.