Knife sharpening
Discussion
21TonyK said:
Like most things. If you have a reasonable knife (or knives) its worth spending a bit of money making sure you have suitable kit to maintain it. if you are not minded to fiddle around with stones then the roller type sharpeners seem to be popular.
However, its also important to remember theres a balance between sharpness and functionality and practicality.
Once sharp a decent quality fine steel (not diamond) will keep the edge in order.
So with these roller sharpeners, you should use the grinding end maybe once every couple of years to get a decent edge, and then just hone occasionally with the ceramic end? However, its also important to remember theres a balance between sharpness and functionality and practicality.
Once sharp a decent quality fine steel (not diamond) will keep the edge in order.
I use a kitchen devils ceramic roller sharpener occasionally (brought because it was a which? best buy) and a honing steel before each use.
No idea how chefs like Gordon Ramsey hone with that sort of intensity, I followed a youtube video, knife at 90 degrees to the steel, then halve the angle and halve it again and run the knife edges backwards and forwards.
I take the ceramic sharpener on self catering holidays etc. Its small and light and makes quick work of sharpening the often criminally dull knives provided in the accommodation.
No idea how chefs like Gordon Ramsey hone with that sort of intensity, I followed a youtube video, knife at 90 degrees to the steel, then halve the angle and halve it again and run the knife edges backwards and forwards.
I take the ceramic sharpener on self catering holidays etc. Its small and light and makes quick work of sharpening the often criminally dull knives provided in the accommodation.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 8th May 17:14
RizzoTheRat said:
21TonyK said:
Like most things. If you have a reasonable knife (or knives) its worth spending a bit of money making sure you have suitable kit to maintain it. if you are not minded to fiddle around with stones then the roller type sharpeners seem to be popular.
However, its also important to remember theres a balance between sharpness and functionality and practicality.
Once sharp a decent quality fine steel (not diamond) will keep the edge in order.
So with these roller sharpeners, you should use the grinding end maybe once every couple of years to get a decent edge, and then just hone occasionally with the ceramic end? However, its also important to remember theres a balance between sharpness and functionality and practicality.
Once sharp a decent quality fine steel (not diamond) will keep the edge in order.
A course grind should only be needed if the edge becomes damaged and you need to repair the cutting edge.
Thats the theory.
After reading varying reviews of the different roller sharpeners, and no idea how tell them apart, I ended up buying the Horl 2 instead of a cheap copy. The magnets are absolutely rock solid, and no sign of the ends of the roller unscrewing which seem to be frequent complaints with the cheaper ones.
Had a go with it on my Santoku and didn't realise just how good a job it had done until I sliced a tomato the next morning!
Now to work through the rest of our knives.
Had a go with it on my Santoku and didn't realise just how good a job it had done until I sliced a tomato the next morning!
Now to work through the rest of our knives.
^^^^ Need to make sure they don't get abused!
I've just spent a relaxing couple of hours in the garden enjoying the sun while I reshape and fine tune one of my work knives.
Issues I discovered with sharp knives are... 1) they cut through knife rolls and 2) they create holes in the front of car seats
Lesson learned, I'm now using the very nice Wusthof knife case which came from a fellow PH'er and a couple of cheap blade guards off Amazon.
Also ordered a handful of 2-3000 grit diamond plates off Ali for a few quid which are less hassle than wetstones when working away.
I've just spent a relaxing couple of hours in the garden enjoying the sun while I reshape and fine tune one of my work knives.
Issues I discovered with sharp knives are... 1) they cut through knife rolls and 2) they create holes in the front of car seats
Lesson learned, I'm now using the very nice Wusthof knife case which came from a fellow PH'er and a couple of cheap blade guards off Amazon.
Also ordered a handful of 2-3000 grit diamond plates off Ali for a few quid which are less hassle than wetstones when working away.
RizzoTheRat said:
After reading varying reviews of the different roller sharpeners, and no idea how tell them apart, I ended up buying the Horl 2 instead of a cheap copy. The magnets are absolutely rock solid, and no sign of the ends of the roller unscrewing which seem to be frequent complaints with the cheaper ones.
Had a go with it on my Santoku and didn't realise just how good a job it had done until I sliced a tomato the next morning!
Now to work through the rest of our knives.
I did exactly the same. Very happy with the HORL2. Yes its not cheap, but its incredibly easy to use and gets my knifes sharper than they've likely ever been after 1st use. I expect it to last years as well given the quality of it. Happy customer.Had a go with it on my Santoku and didn't realise just how good a job it had done until I sliced a tomato the next morning!
Now to work through the rest of our knives.
Steve Campbell said:
I did exactly the same. Very happy with the HORL2. Yes its not cheap, but its incredibly easy to use and gets my knifes sharper than they've likely ever been after 1st use. I expect it to last years as well given the quality of it. Happy customer.
Agreed, although having now sharpened most of my knives, I hopefully will just need to hone them occasionally as they're all ground to the right angle for the Horl. Meaning one of the complaints about the cheaper models, that people didn't think the grinding disk would last all that well, probably isn't an issue at all.I'm really enjoying slicing a tomato for my lunch every morning when whichever knife I pick up just glides through it
wyson said:
I take the ceramic sharpener on self catering holidays etc. Its small and light and makes quick work of sharpening the often criminally dull knives provided in the accommodation.
Now this is a timely reminder - away for a weekend soon and always frustrated by the astonishingly dull knives in rented places!Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff