The Complete Guide to Becoming a Knife Sharpening Pro

Understanding the Principle of Knife Sharpening

The understanding of the concept of knife sharpening is a crucial step in maintaining and refining your tools. Sharpening generally involves removing a small amount of metal to create a sharper and keener bevel. Most sharpeners use a grain system that offers different levels of sharpening, ranging from small to large grains. This helps to achieve an ultra-precise and perfectly sharp cut.

Choosing the sharpening stone that suits you

When it comes to choosing a sharpening stone for your cutlery, it’s important to know the different shapes and features of sharpening stones. Stones can be made from silicone, diamond, ceramic or carbide. Some sharpeners are designed to sharpen the blade in a single continuous pass, while others offer more control and finesse by allowing shorter movements. You should familiarize yourself with the main features of the various stones before making your choice.

Silicone sharpening stones are the softest and therefore ideal for blades that dull easily. Diamond stones offer greater resistance, which is useful if the tip of a tool or pair of scissors has been damaged by improper machining. Ceramic stones can be harder to find, but offer a good compromise between softness and abrasiveness for all steel blades. Lastly, carbide stones offer a very fine finish to stainless steel and high carbon content blades.

Sharpening stones are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including round, square, rectangular, and triangular stones. The stones can be used to sharpen knife blades. Your essential preferences and needs will determine which stone is best for sharpening your cutlery.

Regardless of the sharpening stone you choose, the sharpening process is the same. Always use long, steady movements on the blade. Start with a very slight base angle and continue until you've reached the edge of your knife. Be particularly careful not to let your blade endure repeated blows that can damage it or cause it to bend. Once the steel is sharpened, examine it under a light source to ensure there are no unsharpened areas before you start using your cutlery.

Follow the steps to safely sharpen your knife

When it comes to sharpening knife blades, it's important to always exercise caution. Start by protecting your hands and work area with gloves and an apron. Now make sure the handle and the sharp part of the knife are dry before placing it on the sharpening stone. Then use your thumb and index finger slightly to hold the knife steady as you are going to rub the end on the surface of the stone to sharpen.

Repeat the sharpening process several times, ensuring not to tilt the cutting edges of the blades. A 20-degree angle is perfect for giving your strip a programmed shape except for Japanese knives that require a 15° angle. Once the knife is sharpened, use a pad or soft brush to clean it and keep its surface shiny and clean. It is important to keep knives out of children's reach, as misuse can cause serious injuries.

When sharpening a knife, it is essential to maintain a constant angle using a sharpening stone. These sharpeners are excellent for helping to achieve the right angle between the blade and the stone: they are designed to ensure that edge angles are identical during sharpening. Start by choosing the right side of your stone, depending on the type of steel found on your knife. You should then examine its blade and determine its angle accordingly. Comprehensive instructions on the knife sharpening process can be found on various specialized websites or from major manufacturers.

Regularly maintain your cutlery to keep them sharp and stay fine-tuned as long as possible

A simple way to keep your knives sharp is to clean them and do regular sharpenings. It is recommended to slightly sharpen your knife after each use, especially if it involves intensive use. Also always wipe your cutlery with a soft, dry cloth after finished cutting, which will prevent the formation of stains, that could ultimately change the shape of your cutting blades.

In order to properly maintain your cutlery and extend the life of your knives, we recommend using a sharpener to ensure precise sharpening. A good sharpener, equipped with the right abrasive stones or plates, will make it easier to get a cutting edge you will be proud of. Your cutlery will stay fine-tuned for a long time if this process is repeated for at least a few minutes each week on every knife. So always keep in mind that when it comes to the edge of these essential tools, careful and frequent maintenance will certainly yield the best results.