How to sharpen your kitchen knife
Sharpening kitchen knives can be an intimidating task for the novice kitchen enthusiast — it can be a challenge even for those who can confidently work their way around the kitchen with their eyes closed.
However, with the right knife sharpeners and proven techniques, you can have your kitchen knife set sharper than ever before in no time.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide for you at Kleva Range, so read on!
- Choose your preferred knife sharpener for the job
The first step to sharpening kitchen knives is to select the right type of sharpener for the job. Some kitchen knife sets already have their own sharpener, like our KlevaCut® Premium 3pc Knife Set and KlevaCut® Master Series 6pc Knife Set. However, this isn’t always an option, so you have to be familiar with the different types of knife sharpeners.
There are various types of sharpeners available, including electric-powered models and manual models. Electric sharpeners are great for quickly honing kitchen knives and making them sharp again. Manual sharpeners, on the other hand, provide more precision and give you better control when it comes to keeping your knives sharp.
- Ensure that your sharpening tools are compatible with your knives
Whether you’ve chosen to use a manual or electric sharpener, you'll need to ensure that it's compatible with your kitchen knife set. Fortunately, most kitchen knives and kitchen knife sets provide instructions on properly sharpening their products. If the set doesn’t already come with a sharpener, it will indicate the suitable tools you can't use.
For your safety, remember that if you purchased a manual sharpener or a multipurpose sharpening tool, it’s important to read the instructions carefully before using it. Electric sharpeners can do the job on their own, but taking precautions is still a must.
- Clean off any food residue on your kitchen knife
Prepare your kitchen knife for the process of sharpening by cleaning off any food residue or dirt that may have built up on its blade over time. This will ensure that your kitchen knife is free from any dirt or debris which could interfere with the sharpening process.
Once this is done, clear the surface of other kitchen utensils and cookware, then place your kitchen knife against a cutting board at a 90-degree angle. Make sure it’s snug, and secure it in place with either masking tape or a rubber band if necessary.
- Start sharpening your kitchen knives
Now, it's time to actually sharpen your kitchen knife set! For electric sharpeners, you can simply turn them on and follow their instructions as they guide you through all steps of the process until all your kitchen knives have been properly sharpened.
For manual sharpeners, the safest way to do it is simply by following the instructions as recommended by the user manual. With steady pressure and sharp focus, run each side of the blade across the sharpening block or stone in alternating motions until all desired edges are honed and polished properly.
- Take good care of your kitchen knife set
Once your kitchen knives have been sharpened according to their user manuals, rinse off any excess residue from each blade under running water, then dry them immediately with a clean cloth or towel as advised by the user manual for proper maintenance and care.
For safety purposes, store the sharpened kitchen knife set in a secure location away from children and other household members until ready for meal preparation use.
If you’re looking to buy new kitchen knives, look no further than Kleva Range. Browse through our shop or contact us for enquiries on a full kitchen knife set!
