How to use a knife sharpener
To our good fortune, the protection of monarchs and castles no longer requires a razor-sharp sword of any kind. The most of the time, we just want to keep our knives sharp so that we can make clean, effortless cuts through a perfectly ripe tomato, finely chop a bundle of fresh herbs, or carve a roast or festive turkey without producing a shredded mess.
The majority of mishaps that occur in kitchens are due to the use of dull knives, which cause the user to exert excessive energy on the blade or cause the knife to slip off the food they are working on rather than creating clean, reliable cuts with very little effort required.
Investing in a knife sharpener that is user-friendly, dependable, and long-lasting is essential to maintaining the safety of your kitchen. This sharpener should be able to handle all of the knives in your kitchen, as well as any blades that may be stored in your garage or shed. A dull knife that requires pressure to make a cut or cuts unevenly down the length of the blade is considerably more dangerous than a knife with a particularly sharp blade. This is something that any experienced chef would confirm for you.
Always Put Your Safety First while using sharpner
Spend some time looking for a single sharpening tool that can be used on any of the knives in your collection and that will allow you to rapidly learn how to put a dependable and sharp edge on every blade when it is necessary to do so. The last thing any of us needs is another collection of hyper-specialized kitchen junk that prevents us from opening the drawer that is next to the sink.
Various Categories of Sharpeners
We have investigated the many distinct types of knife sharpeners that are sold on Amazon, including sharpening stones and honing rods, electric rotary grinders, sharpening systems, and manual pull-through knife sharpeners, amongst others. We discovered that the pull-through versions are the best buy in terms of convenience, quickness, and ease of use for the typical kitchen cook. This is despite the fact that each of the options has its own perks that are applicable to particular users or degrees of skill.
What Is a Knife Sharpener With a Pull-through Design?
A knife sharpener that may be carried in your pocket
A pull-through knife sharpener that is handheld can take the form of either an upright stand or a horizontal tool with a handle. This type of knife sharpener can accommodate anywhere from one to four abrasive rods that are positioned within sharpening slots that are at an exact angle. In a device with multiple slots, these can include things like sharpening, which uses the most coarse abrasive, polishing, and honing, each of which refines the edge of your blades in a different way.
Some pull-through models come equipped with a sharpener for your scissors; however, due to their unique edge profile, scissors cannot be sharpened properly using the slots designed for knife sharpening on a pull-through sharpener. Believe us when we say that there is nothing more pleasant than rediscovering the ease with which your scissors cut through paper and fabric, long after you have forgotten what they were like when you first purchased them!
A manual knife sharpener of high quality will feature a sturdy grip that won’t slide around and a slot or slots that have been meticulously designed to accommodate the specific angle of your knife. Each of the slots contains a unique abrasive sharpening surface that is either constructed of metal, ceramic, or a combination of the two.
Some pull-through sharpeners can be used for both western-style and Asian-style knives since they are designed with separate slots to accommodate the two distinct blade angles. Some variants come equipped with an adjustable wheel that enables the user to vary the angle of a specific sharpening slot. Some sharpeners are only able to hone a specific kind of blade, so it is important to choose the proper one for your collection of knives.
The Appropriate Lean
This is significant because different kinds of knives employ various kinds of angles. A blade angle of 20 to 25 degrees is usual for Western-style knives made by companies such as Wusthof, Victorinox, or Henkel. On the other hand, knives made to a more historically Asian pattern, such as the design of the traditional santoku, employ a blade angle of 15 degrees. It is vital to match the angle of the blade to the angle guide on the sharpener; if you fail to do so, you will end up with a knife that does not get sharp at all or one that becomes dull once again after just a handful of usage.
Since a pull-through sharpener does not have an electric motor to spin the abrasive material against the steel, the user is responsible for doing the laborious task of grinding away the metal. When using any pull-through sharpener, the fundamental procedure is the same: after positioning the blade so that it fits into the sharpening slot, you draw the blade toward you while providing a light amount of force. The usage of the knife causes the metal blade to develop a number of microscopic nicks and flat spots, which can be removed by grinding the blade with an abrasive, which also returns the blade to its original angle.
What to Search for When Purchasing a Pull-Through Sharpener
A comfortable handle that shields your fingers from the blade, a strong base that won’t slip, and sharpening holes that are labeled clearly for several levels of sharpening are all important aspects of this knife. A single sharpener can be used to hone, polish, and sharpen a blade all at the same time if it has many slots that hold different kinds of abrasives. Others sharpen and polish, but the finishing step requires a separate honing rod made of ceramic or steel.
You should also select a pull through knife sharpener that prevents the user as well as your kitchen surfaces from becoming damaged in the event of an unintentional slip. In order to avoid inadvertently dragging a fingertip across the edge of a handheld option, it is necessary to have a finger guard, which can take the form of a strap made of rubber or flexible plastic.
Some models are equipped with a suction cup that allows the user to attach the sharpener to a countertop in order to keep the device stable. Make that the sharpener is still attached to the counter before using it. If it is, check the suction. It only takes a little bit of moisture or an unintentional hit to break the seal.
How To Make Use Of A Knife Sharpener That Pulls Through
When you first obtain your new sharpener, it is a good idea to practice on a knife that is not as expensive as the one you intend to use it on. This will allow you to get a feel for how the blade moves across the abrasive and the action of your arm as you drag the blade through the slot.
The fundamental steps are the same regardless of the model that you go with.Test the sharpness of the blade by attempting to cut through a piece of paper or a tomato.Determine the appropriate cutting angle, as well as whether the blade should be set to coarse or fine, based on how dull it is.
Put the part of the blade known as the “heel” that is furthest away from the handle into the coarse sharpening slot.To remove the abrasive, glide the blade across it smoothly while applying a light amount of pressure.
If the knife has a curve to it, make adjustments as you go so that the metal remains even against the abrasive.After you have given your blade a good sharpening, take it and pass it a couple of times along the setting labeled Fine. This will give the edge a beautiful finish.
Run some water over your knife, then use a clean towel to dry and clean the blade.
See How You Stack Up
The sharpness of your knife may be checked in a number of different methods, all of which are risk-free. First things first, you should NOT run your thumb along the blade. Even if the majority of the blade is dull, there may still be some sharp edges that could inflict a serious cut.
Instead of causing damage to your skin, try using a sheet of paper, a ripe tomato, or an onion that has not been peeled. Any of those can be easily sliced through with a knife that is sharp enough.
If your knife is dull and in need of sharpening, you will be able to tell because the blade will jerk as it cuts the paper, it will mush the tomato instead of providing you a lovely thin slice for your sandwich, and it may not even be able to cut through the onion skin at all. Instead, because you are pressing down rather than slicing, your knife will slide off the onion, bounce off the cutting board, and put your fingers in danger. If any of those things occur, it is time to start putting your brand-new pull-through sharpener to use!
Putting the Edge Back on Your Sword
To begin, you will need to set the sharpener down securely on a surface that will not slide about and is at a comfortable height for working on a countertop. While firmly grasping the sharpener’s handle, insert the heel of the knife into the angled slot.
The heel is the portion of the blade that is closest to the sharpener’s handle. After that, using a slow and controlled motion, draw the blade towards you. After you have pulled it completely through, bring it out at the very end.
It is essential that you make certain that the blade is kept pressed evenly into the slot while it is being pulled through. You want the edge and the angle to be accurate from heel to tip for a clean, constant edge. This ensures that the knife will cut smoothly and cleanly no matter where it is used.
Keeping the blade flat as you pull it back is all that is required for a straight blade. If the blade that you are sharpening has any sort of curve to it, however, you will need to carefully modify the angle of the blade as it moves through the slot in order to maintain the blade firmly against the abrasive surface.
Take a glance at the blade right now, and you’ll notice that the abrasives have removed some of the dull or nicked metal, leaving behind a line of clean, bright metal in its place.
After each iteration, give it a clean.
After performing the procedure a couple more times, you should then test the blade once more by following the steps from the first technique. When you have had just a little amount of practice, you will get the hang of it, and using your pull-through sharpener to sharpen your knives will feel effortless and natural to you.
In a short while, you won’t have to test as frequently. You will be able to determine whether a knife has become exceptionally dull and requires a few additional passes through the sharpener, or whether it simply requires a couple of short passes across the abrasive to get it back into top shape. After around six pulls, the majority of knives will take on a good, sharp edge.
The blade should then be thoroughly dried after being thoroughly cleaned. After using the knives in the kitchen, you should always give them a quick rinse, pat them dry, and then quickly put them away. You will prevent the formation of the microscopic rust spots that dull blades and maintain the safety of your working environment. Also, a good kitchen knife should never be cleaned in the dishwasher.
One of Our Preferred Pull-through Knife Sharpeners
Knife sharpener RAZORSHARP
Following our research into a wide range of pull-through knife sharpeners available from a variety of suppliers, as well as the consideration of feedback from previous buyers, we are confident in recommending the RAZORSHARP Knife Sharpener.
We found the RAZORSHARP pull-through knife sharpener to be the one that offered the best balance of affordability, efficiency, and user-friendliness. The handle and case are made of a robust plastic that is resistant to cuts and nicks.
Even for someone who has never attempted to sharpen a knife before, figuring out how to use the sharpener was fairly simple, and the device appeared solid and risk-free to operate. In addition, the fact that the RAZORSHARP comes equipped with an adjustable wheel gave us the peace of mind that we had achieved the optimal angle for our blade.
It required very little effort to pull the knife through the sharpener because the blade slid so effortlessly and smoothly across even the coarse abrasive points in the Sharpen machine. At the same time, we were able to observe and listen to the abrasive doing its job. On its sharpening tips, RAZORSHARP utilizes diamond and ceramic abrasives of the highest quality and longest lasting possible.
In addition, as an added perk, the RAZORSHARP comes equipped with a slot for abrasive stones that may be used to sharpen scissors. Compared to knives, scissors have a drastically different blade angle.
However, you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Check out this comprehensive review for a detailed rundown on all of the features that make the RAZORSHARP pull-through knife sharpener our top selection.
The Answers to Some of the Most Frequent Questions Regarding Pull-through Knife Sharpeners
Why Is It Better To Use A Manual Knife Sharpener As Opposed To An Electric One?
Electric knife sharpeners are both effective and quick in their operation. But there is a cost associated with this, and that is the life of your blade. When you sharpen your knives with an electric sharpener, far more metal is removed from them than when you use a traditional sharpener.
Knives that are of high quality should have a lengthy lifespan. If you utilize an electric device instead of a high-quality manual pull-through sharpener, you will be able to change them far faster.
If I have a pull-through sharpener, can I use it on any blade?
You can achieve a nice sharp edge on any two-sided blade as long as you have a quality sharpener that has the correct angle on the abrasive sharpening tips. Some specialized one-sided blades, such those seen on Japanese Yanagiba and Deba knives, are incapable of being sharpened via a pull-through method.
Will My Pull-through Knife Sharpener Lose Its Edge Over Time?
It is quite unlikely that you will need to replace your pull-through knife sharpener any time soon because high-quality sharpeners use abrasive materials such as ceramics and diamond rods that are harder than the steel that they sharpen. When you see a buildup of black or gray dust on the abrasive sharpening points, use a stiff brush and some water to clear off the metal shavings and maintain the best possible shape for your edges.
How Many Times Do I Need to Pass the Knife Through the Sharpener Before It Is Sharp Enough?
How many times you should run your knife through the sharpener depends on how dull the blade currently is. To begin, run your knife through the sharpener anywhere between three and six times. Regularly putting the blade through the sharpener will ensure that it remains risk-free. If you happen to cut your hand while making meals, a sharp knife will cause less bleeding and scarring than a dull one would.
This number of strokes is usually sufficient for sharpening even the dullest of knives. On the other hand, if the blade is extremely worn down, you might need to pull it through the hole a few more times. Try one of the testing procedures described in the preceding section titled “Test Your Edge” if you are unsure as to whether or not you have given your knife an edge that is sharp enough.
