Using a blunt knife to chop your ingredients is frustrating and unsafe. You can use a knife sharpener to ensure maximum kitchen safety and to give your kitchen tools crisp, clean edges. Sharp blade edges make chopping and slicing quick and easy so you can create the perfect dishes for family gatherings.
There are lots of different knife-sharpening gadgets on the market nowadays. While it’s great to have plenty of choices, this can also make It challenging to choose the best type of knife sharpener for your needs.
Below, we have discussed some of the most commonly used knife sharpeners and their benefits and uses.
Whetstones
A whetstone, also known as a sharpening stone or honing stone, is a tool that you can use to sharpen and hone the edges of your knives. They’re made out of coarse, abrasive materials, usually silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or even diamond.
Whetstones are available in various grades, ranging in coarseness. They are often preferred over other knife-sharpening tools because they allow for a high level of control and precision.
They also enable a higher level of customizability. You can adjust the angle and pressure of your strokes to better suit the specific blade and edge that you are sharpening.
Electric Knife Sharpeners
Electric knife sharpeners are one of the most popular choices in the modern day because they are easy to use and sharpen knife blades quickly and precisely.
They use spinning wheels to sharpen the blades and usually have several different settings for sharpening and honing. However, it’s important to note that electric knife sharpeners may not be suitable for all types of leads.
Sharpening Systems
Sharpening systems are designed to be all-in-one solutions for sharpening and honing knives of all kinds. They usually have multiple grit sharpening stones and honing rods, and they’ll come with a guide to show you how to sharpen at the correct angle for precise results.
Although sharpening systems can be expensive and more complex to use, they are highly efficient. They’re a great investment if you are a keen cook and want to ensure that your knives are always nice and sharp.
Maintenance of Your Knife Sharpener
Once you’ve found the perfect type of knife sharpener for your needs, you’ll need to make sure you take the appropriate steps to maintain it.
Take a look at the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to properly use, clean, and maintain your knife sharpener. However, here are some general tips to prolong the lifespan of your knife sharpener, regardless of the time of tool you’ve chosen:
- Make sure to thoroughly clean it after use
- Store it in a dry, cool place that is not prone to moisture
- If you’re using a whetstone, make sure to keep it as flat as possible
- Oil your knife sharpener if recommended by the manufacturer
- To maintain the sharpness of the blades of your knives in between uses, you can use a honing steel or strop. This will extend the lifespan of your knives and your chosen knife sharpener
