The right way to sharpen a knife
How to use a knife sharpener – this question is seen among many home cooks, chefs or beginners these days. Because cooking without a sharp knife is not only difficult, but also time-consuming. But you can very easily sharpen your knife with a good knife sharpener.
Within this guide, we shall understand in very simple terms how to use the various kinds of knife sharpeners. Which kind of knife to use with what kind of sharpeners and what products are the best available in the market.
What is a knife sharpener, & what purpose do we require it?
A knife sharpener is a tool that re-sharpens a knife when its sharpness decreases. A sharp knife means:
Easy cutting
Speeds up cooking
Safe (dull knives often cut hands!)
Many people think that sharpening a knife is difficult – in fact, it is very easy if you know the right tools and methods.
Types of knife sharpeners (comparative analysis)
1) Manual knife sharpener
It is operated by hand. Usually has two or three slots – coarse (rough edge), fine (smooth finish).
Suitable for: Home users, perfect for beginners
2) Electric knife sharpener
Sharpen the blade with the press of a button. Works very quickly.
Suitable for: Regular use in the kitchen, large families or cooks
Note: The price is a bit high, but saves a lot of time
3) Sharpening stone (whetstone)
This is the oldest but most professional way. The keenness of the blade is obtained by rubbing it on the stone at an angle.
Appropriate to: Pro cookers, people who like sharp knives.
Challenge: It takes a little time to learn
How to use it correctly – Step-by-step guide
With Manual Knife Sharpener
- Place the sharpener on a flat surface
- Insert the back of the knife into the coarse slot
- Pull with very light pressure (5–6 times)
- Then go to the fine slot and do the same
- Fipe the knife using a clean cloth.
Hints: Pulling should be done at low pressure. Too much pressure can damage the edge of the knife.
With Electric Knife Sharpener
- Place the knife in the specified slot
- Turn on the machine
- Pull the knife slowly – the machine will sharpen itself
- Both sides should be done evenly
- Wash the knife when finished
Tips: Do not put too much pressure on the knife. The machine will do the work itself.
With Whetstone (sharpening by rubbing hands)
- Soak the stone in water for 10–15 minutes
- Place the knife at a 15–20 degree angle and rub it on the stone
- Rub each side 10–15 times
- Then polish with finer grit
- Wipe and dry
Tips: Use coarse grit 1000 for the beginning.
When will I know that I need to sharpen my knife?
Having trouble cutting raw tomatoes
The knife slips while cutting onions
The blade does not cut when running it on paper
If you see these signs, you will know that your knife needs to be sharpened now.
Which knife sharpener should I buy?
If you are new: SafeGrip 3-Stage Manual Sharpener – Easy to use
Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener – For quick sharpening
For pro users: King Whetstone (Grit 1000/6000) – For professional knives
Chef’s Choice Trizor XV Electric Sharpener
All products will have fast delivery, return facilities and ratings mentioned. Place your affiliate link here.
How to keep a knife clean after lending it?
Wash it with mild soap and warm water
After lending it, dirt accumulates quickly – if not cleaned, the knife will be damaged
Never put the knife in the dishwasher
How often should you lend it?
If you use it every day for cooking at home – once every 15-20 days
If you use it occasionally – once a month
In a hotel or restaurant – every week
The more you borrow it, the more frequently you have to loan it out.
Frequently Asked Questions (General Questions and Answers)
Q: Does the lending of a knife spoil the knife?
A: Well, no, but the sharper it is not sharpened the worse the knife is.
Q: Would you want to put the knife in water prior to loaning it?
A: When you can use a whetstone only, you must not wet that, but the knife.
Q: Is lending dangerous?
A: Yes, not, so long as you do it right, but an unsharpened knife can be a dangerous thing.
Conclusion – Sharp Cooking, Smooth Work: Knife sharpening is not just about sharpening, it’s about speeding up cooking, working safely, and extending the lifespan of your knife. If you want to sharpen now, buy a good quality sharpener — and check out the products I recommend.