Knife Sharpening Guide

Knife Sharpening Made Simple

Hands sharpening a knife on a whetstone in a wooden holder
Photo: Didriks, source, CC BY 2.0. Illustrative scene, not a product we tested.

Most "dull" kitchen knives aren't worn out. Their edges are bent out of line, and a few strokes on a honing steel bring them back. When honing stops working, it's time to sharpen. That usually means once or twice a year for a home cook, according to Victorinox and Wüsthof.

Start here: new to this? Read whetstone vs. pull-through vs. electric, then choose with the beginner sharpener guide. Ready to try it? Follow how to sharpen a kitchen knife.

Why bother? Wüsthof notes that a dull knife needs more pressure, which reduces control and raises the chance of a slip. A sharp knife is easier to control.

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