Sharpening Knives

To sharpen knives, use a whetstone (a honing block used with cooking oil or water) or professional-style grinding wheel, or hire a professional service; some even make house calls.

Once your knives are sharp, keep them that way with the occasional use of a sharpening steel -- a ridged rod made of diamond-coated steel or ceramic.

Here's how to use the sharpening steel:

 

Step 1

1. Rest the sharpening steel vertically with the tip pressed against a stable cutting surface. Place the knife edge near the handle at a 20-degree angle to the steel near the sharpening steel's handle.

 

Step 2

2. In one smooth, slow motion, draw the knife blade gently down the full length of the steel, pulling the knife toward you as it moves down the steel.

 

Step 3

3. When you finish the stroke, the tip of the blade -- still at an angle -- should be near the tip of the steel. Repeat with the other side of the knife blade.