A knife sharpener is an innovative gadget that is made with advanced concepts to sharpen kitchen knives. There are majorly two categories of knife sharpener available in the market- the manual and the electric. A dull knife can present difficulties when you are completing your kitchen chores. Sharpening your knives is a culinary skill that increases their life significantly. Buying the right type of sharpener can be tedious. It is important to consider the cost, size, and time before making a final purchase.
Types of Knife Sharpener
Electric Knife Sharpener
The electric knife sharpener is the convenient and easiest way of sharpening your knives. Hold the handle of the knife in your hand with a strong grip. Insert the blade into the slots, and pull the knife through without applying a lot of pressure. Repeat this step 4-5 times for the entire length of the blade and ensure that the edges are clean and sharp.
Handheld or Manual Knife Sharpener
The handheld sharpeners are manual sharpening tools. You have to set the knife on a flat surface for handheld sharpeners. Hold the knife in your non-dominant hand and keep the sharpener in the other hand for sharpening the edges. Follow the procedure by inserting the knife into the slots and pulling them through 6-7 times.
Storing the knife safely and securely protects you from accidental injuries. Make sure you read through our blog that presents the ideal solutions to store Kitchen knives.
Sharpening Stones
Sharpening stones are used often by people all around the world. They are made of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. The surface provides a rough edge to effectively sharpen your knife.
Difference between Electric & Handheld Sharpeners
The electric sharpeners have many slots and help you attain a finer edge as compared to the other variants. Handheld sharpeners work in the same way but with a limited number of slots. Handheld variants are absolutely portable and you need a flat surface to sharpen your blades with them. They are easy to use and have high compatibility. Visit our blog on the advantages of electric knife sharpeners for better usage and understanding.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Knife Sharpener
Cost
The cost of a knife sharpener ranges from USD 10 to USD 150. You can go for the high-end ones if you use your sharpeners frequently. Consider your requirements and go for the best-rated sharpeners that are known for their excellent performance.
Time
We recommend you go for electric sharpeners for their high efficiency, especially when you want to save some time. Professionals do not mind running their knives through stones but not everyone prefers to spend ten minutes per blade. Electric sharpeners that include stainless steel blades will help you complete kitchen tasks quickly and safely. A model like Presto EverSharp Electric Knife takes less time because it works with electricity.
Size
Depending on your storage capacity and availability of counter space, look for sharpeners that can be easily accommodated inside drawers. Go for ergonomic and compact sizes that take up just a fraction of counter space.
How to Sharpen a Knife Without a Sharpener?
You can still sharpen your knife when you don’t have a sharpener and you are in urgent need of sharpening your knife. Use another knife or the rough rim of a ceramic mug or cup. This alternative isn’t that efficient but it can be a lifesaver in dire situations. That is why professional electric knife sharpeners are great for sharpening knives conveniently through a 3-stage process.
How Often Do I Need to Sharpen My Knives?
You need to sharpen your knives once or twice a year. It is important that you get your knives sharpened by a professional at least once a year. This also depends on your frequency of usage. You can do the honing of the blunt teeth of your knives much more often. Honing doesn't remove the knife steel material. It only re-aligns the teeth to create sharp edges. You can use an electric or pull-through sharpener for sharpening your knives.
Buy Best Knife Sharpeners
AccuSharp 001C Knife Sharpener
The AccuSharp 001C Knife Sharpener is a perfect way to get sharp knives in just some minutes. It is crafted from diamond-honed tungsten carbide that sharpens your knives with perfection. The precise range guides help you get the right edges and cuts. It makes your work complete quickly and safely.
Ulwae Upgraded Kitchen Knife Sharpener
The Ulwae Upgraded Kitchen Knife Sharpener is an important tool to sharpen your blades and knives quickly. The optimized knife sharpener has advanced carbide, fine abrasive, and ceramic for a burr-free edge on steel blades as well as extend the life of your high-quality knives. This is a lightweight model with 6.4 ounces of weight. It features a compact design that is safe and easy to use.
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener has a variable speed that makes it suitable for any sharpening job. The abrasive belts provide a razor-sharp convex edge that lasts for a long time. It also features a convenient angle guide that can be adjusted. It has a non-slip design and an ergonomic handle for easy control.
KITCHELLENCE Premium Knife Sharpener
The KITCHELLENCE Premium Knife Sharpener is a 4-stage model that comes with level 5 cut-resistant gloves for extra safety. You can use this sharpener to process any knife with straight edges. It can sharpen a pocket knife, chef knife, kitchen knife, and santoku knife. This model has an easy-to-hold handle for perfect grip.
Conclusion
Knife sharpeners are lifesavers especially, in a commercial kitchen where most of the initial food prep is done with clean-cut sharp knives. It is important to use a sharpener to maintain the longevity and shine of your knife. A dull knife can cause cuts and injuries and should be avoided at all costs. Do not procrastinate on buying a sharpener.
There are different types of kitchen knives available in the market. Check our buying guide to buy the best kitchen knives.
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