Sharpening a knife is essential, especially if you want to make perfect vegetable, fruit, and meat cuts. If you are an experienced cook, you probably already know the advantages of having a sharp knife in the kitchen. However, if you are just getting into cooking, this article will teach you and give you the information you need about sharpening your knife and how to choose the best knife sharpeners for your kitchen.
Why Do You Need a Knife Sharpener?
It is pretty straightforward that you need a knife sharpener to sharpen your knives. The real question here is what kind of knife sharpener is best for your home.
Types of Knife Sharpeners
Here are some of the most common types of knife sharpeners used in commercial businesses and homes. One of these may be the one for you, depending on your knives and your needs.
Whetstone
A whetstone, aka an oilstone or Japanese Waterstones, are gritty rectangular stones that use oil or water to sharpen your knife. There are two types of whetstones. The first one is a synthetic surface that uses water to sharpen a knife’s edges, and the second one is a natural oil-based stone. Both of which are effective in sharpening your knives for better use. The idea of whetstones is sharpening the existing edge of your knife instead of carving a new edge. If you are a beginner, you can start by using a whetstone first because using other types without experience might ruin your precious kitchen knife in the process.
Electric sharpeners
Electric sharpeners have a V-shaped notch that carves a new edge on your knife and discards the old one. This option is much more effective in keeping your knife sharp, and it kind of has the same idea as an electric pencil sharpener—meaning your knife will become shrink every time you use it. However, you won’t need to use one frequently if you have a High-quality knife made with the best type of steel. Most modern electric countertop knife sharpeners are easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about the angle you hold your knife in—just make sure you read the manual.
Manual sharpeners
Manual sharpeners are like electric sharpeners. However, instead of automatically carving a new edge on your knife, you will have to exert effort, which is pretty straightforward.
Steel Rod
A steel rod is a long rod that is coated with a ceramic finish. It is a great option to use after using a manual or electric sharpener to keep your knives straight for better slicing. If you want to keep your precious blades in their best state, it is ideal for you to own one of these to maintain the straightness of your edge in-between sharpening.
How to Sharpen a Knife
When using a whetstone, you will need your knife to pass through the coarse side first until the entire edge is sharpened. After that, you can flip it over to the fine side to even out the edges.
If you are using a manual or electric knife sharpener, just run your knife through and follow the manual so you don’t go too far. After sharpening your knife, you can use a honing steel to fine-tune the edges for better slicing.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Knife Sharpener
Size
The size is an essential factor to consider when purchasing a knife sharpener. Both small and large knife sharpeners work the same for any knife, but the question is—do you have enough space in the kitchen for storing a large option? If you have enough space in your kitchen, you can opt for a larger sharpener. But it wouldn’t be a problem if you have limited storage because you can purchase smaller options instead.
Grit
Various knife sharpeners come with different grit levels, regardless of their size. Most whetstones are double-sided, having a fine side and coarse side. The amount of grit can affect how much metal is shaven off your knife, and you have to be careful, especially when using an electronic sharpener because you might go too far. If you are looking to buy an electric knife sharpener, make sure you understand the settings. It is always better to have honing steel for finer grit and get a knife sharpener with medium to coarse grit settings.
Quality
Make sure the quality of the knife sharpener is good, especially if you own expensive knife sets. You don’t want to damage them further when using knife sharpeners that are not very effective.
Time
Some knife sharpeners work quicker than others. If you like to work fast, make sure you get a high-end electric sharpener that allows you to sharpen a knife in seconds.
Knife Sharpener Price Ranges
Depending on the type of knife sharpener, it can set you back at least $10 up to $150 for the electrical options. A higher-end model is recommended for more expensive knives, especially if you plan to use it frequently.
FAQ
What is the best type of knife sharpener?
The best type of sharpener is probably an electric knife sharpener. They are much quicker and getting the job done and getting it right. However, it is ideal to have a whetstone and honing steel, especially if you are quite a beginner. It is very easy to learn how to sharpen a knife so it wouldn’t be a problem.
Can you use a knife sharpener for sharpening scissors? Yes, as long as the scissors fit in a manual or electric sharpener, you can probably use it.