Kitchen knife sharpening

YorksLass

My late DH used to sharpen our knives and it's now something I'm having to get to grips with.  I use a steel that came with them and take it slowly.  I think the secret is, once a knife is sharp, it should be done every time after use.  This video might be useful:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIz8QNVb4P8  (hope the link works!)

danrv

YorksLass said:

My late DH used to sharpen our knives and it's now something I'm having to get to grips with.  I use a steel that came with them and take it slowly.  I think the secret is, once a knife is sharp, it should be done every time after use.  This video might be useful:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIz8QNVb4P8  (hope the link works!)

Wondering what the difference between that and a round file is other than a slight taper.
Have managed to get the cheap utility knife sharper now with perseverance on the whetstone.

Brie

Thanks @PipneyJane!!  Good point about the side pressure.  

CapricornLass

OH made a sheath for our knives out of hardboard and gaffer tape.  If we are taking them anywhere, they travel in that.  He also only uses a whetstone for sharpening our knives.  He brings them back with a plaster balanced on top.....

Gordon Ramsey told my son that kitchen knives should be sharpened professionally by a cutler every 3 months.  Try finding one!

goldfinches

For those interested in knives I've recently bought an excellent peeling knife with a very comfortable wooden handle which is on offer at a very good price here and I also plunged for a Kitchen Devils short santoku with a soft handle in the big Sainsby's on the ring road which I'm also finding very good for the price which was £10.

Katiehound

Didn't realise that Kitchen Devils are still going strong! I have a fair few of their knives with very pitted handles. Also loads of orange handled Fiskers scissors... they too are great, and probably verging on 'vintage'

Emmia

Katiehound said:

Didn't realise that Kitchen Devils are still going strong! I have a fair few of their knives with very pitted handles. Also loads of orange handled Fiskers scissors... they too are great, and probably verging on 'vintage'

I have left handed fiskars kitchen scissors and several pairs of their either handed scissors. I agree they're great.

Floss

When I lived in Blackpool, we used a mobile knife sharpening service. They either took them away for 48 hours, or worked in the van outside (presumably what they did for hotels in the wider Fylde coast area).

DullGreyGuy

Unfortunately there are no formal qualifications or certification for knife sharpening so I've always been wary of the mobile cold calling types after a group ruined knives when I was a youngster. A professional outfit that offer a mobile service is different. 

Normally sharpen them at home but have a couple of times had a chip or in one case the knife was dropped and the tip snapped and for those used a service of a London shop which either allows you to drop the knives in or post them. Neither are a great prospect but they did a great job of reprofiling them. 

danrv

goldfinches said:

I looked at the Victorinox knife you mentioned and noticed that they sell a sharpener they say is easy to use and perfect for keeping their knives in good condition so if you do buy that knife get the sharpener as well. I have a Victorinox Rex Peeler which is incredibly sharp and have also used their knives at a cookery class and they are very good so I think it would be a worthwhile purchase. 

Mercer Millenia range of knives are similar to Victorinox but half the cost.
Not sure if there's a difference in quality.
Considering the 8" chef's knife:
https://www.mercerculinary.com/product-category/cutlery/millennia-cutlery/