How to Sharpen a Chef Knife?

A sharp chef’s knife is, however, one of those things that are almost always necessary in any kitchen. Blades that are not sharp besides causing inconvenience in preparing food also make you more vulnerable to an accident. Sharpening preserves the quality of kitchen tools until you amass a set of kitchen knives. Here’s how to sharpen a chef knife!

Why Sharpening Matters

A dull knife can be frustrating. It requires you to apply much effort to cut through the food, which slows you down. In the worst-case scenario, a dull blade can slip and cause you some injuries. The ingredients that are supposed to be chopped or sliced should be cut pleasantly well by a sharp knife. Whether preparing or serving food like tomatoes or onions it is fundamental to apply a sharp chef knife that results in high precision and safety.

Tools You'll Need

Before that, gather the right tools. Here are some popular options:

• Whetstone: This one is the most traditional. They offer great control over the sharpness.
• Honing Rod: Also known as honing steel, it is used to maintain the edge of the blade as it is new.
• Knife Sharpener: These are manual and electric sharpeners suited for a rookie user.

Use the care suggestion from the high-end kitchen knife set manufacturer. Some knives like those in the collection by Knives Hive come with their care instructions.

Use a Whetstone to Sharpen Your Chef Knife 

1. Soaking a Whetstone

Drop the whetstone in water for 10-15 minutes. Soaking will aid in preventing overheating of the blade during sharpening.

2. Positioning the Whetstone

Place it on a stable surface, such as a countertop. You will need a towel below for added grip.

3. Finding the Angle

Most professional chefs have their knives sharpened at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees. Make sure you check the specifications of the knife to ascertain the correct angle.

4. Start Sharpening

Hold the knife firmly. Pass the blade over the whetstone in a sweeping motion. Use the coarse side for shaping up the edge and then the fine side for honing.

How to Use a Honing Rod

• Position the honing rod straight down against a stable surface.
• Hold the knife at a 20-degree angle.
• Draw the blade along the rod from heel to tip. Repeat on the other side.

When to Use a Knife Sharpener

Knife sharpeners are great when you want an instant reply. Cutlery also instructed that all you need to do is insert the blade through the sharpener and pull it back through the slots. However, this guard should not be applied too frequently on top of quality delicate knives like those used in your kitchen knife set. You will wear out the blade this way.

Tips for Better Knife Care

• Never miss the time to clean your knife after sharpening.
• Store knives in blocks or on a magnetic strip
• Use the wood or plastic cutting boards to prevent the blade from going dull

Visit knife care blogs at Knives Hive, if you would like to know more!

Final Thoughts

How to sharpen a chef knife? - Shaping is a craft that has to be done when one is using his or her chef knife. These include a whetstone, honing steel, or even a knife sharpener; they help you maintain your knife’s tools putting them in their best shape. You should learn the dedication time for sharpening your knife, making your cooking process smoother and much safer.

Read more on how to take care of your kitchen knife set and pick the best here at Knives Hive for upgrading your kitchen. A sharp knife is the greatest friend you will have besides yourself as a Chef!