How to Sharpen Your Kitchen Knives at Home

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If you're an enthusiastic home cook, a top-quality kitchen knife is one of the essential pieces of equipment. All well-maintained knives can offer you years of high-quality cuts, but if you want to keep your knives in their best shape, a sharpening stone is a tool you need to learn how to use. Follow the guidelines below to sharpen your kitchen knives so that they'll always be ready for your next meal prep.

Understanding Knife Edges

Before you begin, it's essential to recognize what you're trying to accomplish and what materials to use. Knife edges can deteriorate over time, and if the blade is too dull, it will be dangerous and perform poorly. To understand your knife blade, look at the bevel, or the angle that the edge is ground. The bevel angle will differ based on the knife's intended use; for comparison, a meat cleaver will have a broader, more acute angle than a chef's knife. Using a sharpening stone, this edge will become a V-shape that extends from the edge's tip to the spine's back.

Using a Sharpening Stone

Sharpening stones come in several forms, sizes, and gritty textures. The grit rating you use will depend on the knife design or how dulled the blade is. With a less abrasive coarse grit, you can first work out the bulk of any corrosion. The medium grit then can be used to sharpen the blade, and the fine grit will refine the edge created. Here is what you'll have to do:

1) Begin by soaking your sharpening stone in water for a time period of at least 20 minutes. The water ensures the motion of the stone, stops corrosion and even avoids smearing of the blade.

2) Place your sharpening stone, flat side down, on a counter and then hold the blade at a 20-degree angle with your dominant hand.

3) Starting the sharpening process, apply a small amount of pressure to the blade and pass it over one side of the stone's surface.

4) To sharpen the other side of the blade, switch hands and repeat on the other side of the stone.

5) To refine your edge, use the fine grit formulated stone and continue the same process last used.

Maintenance and Storage of Your Knives

Blades that have been sharpened still need maintenance to remain their best over time. When you're not using your knives, it's necessary to store them correctly. Avoid leaving them in places where they might scrape against one another, as they can defect the edge you just crafted up. Use a blade protector or a knife block to prevent edge breakages.

Final Thoughts

By following these procedures, you can prevent spending money on costly knife sharpening services and keep your knives in top condition for years to come. The sharpening process can be simple and quick, but it takes balance, patience, and practice. Your knives will soon thank you for putting in the time and energy.