Home sharpening methods can include using a sharpening steel, drawing knives across a flat sharpening stone, or using a commercial knife sharpener.
Sharpening Steel:
- Hold the steel - a metal rod designed for sharpening knives - in one hand.
- With the other hand, hold the knife by its handle.
- Place the knife just under the handle of the steel, with the knife handle touching the bottom of the steel handle.
- With the knife at a 10 to 25-degree angle to the steel, hold the steel rod steady and draw the knife blade down the steel.
- Repeat several times until the entire cutting surface of the knife has been drawn across the steel on both sides of the blade.
Sharpening Stone:
- Use a wet or dry sharpening stone.
- Place the stone flat on a stable surface.
- Holding the knife by its handle, put the blade at a 10 to 25-degree angle to the stone.
- Draw the knife toward you and across the stone.
- Repeat process on the other side of the blade.
Commercial Knife Sharpener:
- Review instruction booklet that came with sharpener.
- The process usually involves drawing the knife blade through the mechanism toward you until the knife is sharpened. This method is not recommended for fine knives.