Is Your Knife Sharpener Efficient Enough?

It is essential to have a sharp knife not only for convenience but also for safety. Dull knives may cause accidents in the kitchen and make you exert more effort, causing you to be very tired by the time you finish cooking. To keep knives sharp, you need to have a high-quality sharpener in your kitchen. Every kitchen should have at least one knife sharpener that can handle a wide range of knives, especially the basic ones like the chef's knife. A sharpener is a crucial tool for regular knife maintenance, too.

Knowing the difference between honing and sharpening is important before you buy a knife sharpener. This way, you can be sure that you are buying something that is efficient and easy to use. Honing and sharpening are terms that may be used interchangeably, but they mean different things when pertaining to knives. Knife sharpeners remove metal particles from the knife while honing pertains to the straightening of a curved or bent edge. For regular kitchen use, you need an efficient knife sharpener that can prevent the edge from bending with constant use.

Knife sharpeners come in different types. Manual options are usually sold as sharpening stones and ceramic sharpeners. A sharpening stone is typically a solid block made of an aluminium oxide that is lubricated with water or oil, and others are made of diamond, which does not require any lubrication. Ceramic sharpeners are modern alternatives that are made of minerals and are less porous.

Electric knife sharpeners are recommended if you want a safer and easier way to sharpen knives. They usually come with mechanisms that will ensure a correct angle on the blade. Most electric sharpeners have two to three stages, often from coarse to fine, but be sure to read the user manual to learn how to use properly one. This way, you can prevent premature damage or wear to the knife. Some electric sharpeners use diamond, titanium, or ceramic plates.