How Often Should You Sharpen Your Kitchen Knives?

Knives are arguably the most used tools of any kitchen, but boy do they go blunt super quick! A sharp knife is not only better for chopping down food it is also safer as well. So, keeping them sharp is essential. But, figuring out how often to sharpen kitchen knives is something that we all struggle with. 

Depending on their size, what kind of food you cut with them, and how frequently you use them, you should sharpen your kitchen knives at least twice a year. But, sharpening it once or twice a month is more ideal. 

In this article, I will go more in depth on how often should you sharpen your kitchen knives and talk about their importance. I will also talk about various ways you can do it. So, I urge that you keep reading for a proper idea on sharpening kitchen knives. 

Learning When to Sharpen Your Knives 

Knowing how often you need to sharpen your knives is the key to keep them operating at the best possible level.

Depending on their size and how frequently you use them, you should sharpen your knives every few months. 

But if you have to use it quite frequently to chop up veggies, sharpening it twice every year will do the job. Nonetheless, you will need to sharpen your knife at least once or two times a month if you use it to slice up chicken or red meat every now and then.

If your knives are quite old, you can sharpen them every time they get blunt. Wondering how to figure out if your knives are sharp or blunt? Just run it through a piece of paper and voila! If the knife smoothly glides through the paper, then it’s sharp enough to be used in the kitchen. But if it doesn’t cut through paper, then it’s time to sharpen the knife up!

However, make sure not to overdo it. Every time you sharpen a blade, you end up removing some of the material from it which deteriorates its lifespan. According to experts, it’s always better to sharpen your knife when it’s necessary. 

Why Should You Keep Your Knives Sharp? 

Before we delve deeper into the details, it’s important to address why you should sharpen your kitchen knives in the first place. 

• To cut things evenly 

Thanks to its slim edge, a sharp knife performs way better than a blunt knife. It also allows the knife to have less resistance which helps cut the object easily. 

A sharp knife also makes the cooking process convenient as it helps cut ingredients evenly and cook them at an even rate. 

• To minimize the risk of accidents 

Knives are dangerous in general, but a blunt knife can elevate the risk of injuries a notch higher. Blunt blades tend to be more slippery than a sharp blade, making it even more hazardous when you press it harder. 

You might think that a blade that is too dull to cut through food might not be dangerous at all. Sorry to burst your bubble, but a blunt knife can cause more damage to the skin due to its rough edge. 

• To save up on the repair cost

A high-end knife can cost as much as $100 or even more. Not sharpening it regularly may push it to a point where it is beyond repair. 

To make your knife last longer and save up on the repairing cost, sharpening it once in a while will surely help you down the road. 

How to Sharpen Your Knife Easily?

There are so many ways to sharpen a knife. Here is a video on basic ways to sharpen a kitchen knife:

https://youtu.be/Wk3scs5FqCY

If you don’t have a traditional knife sharpener, then below is a list of DIY ideas that you can easily pull off using everyday objects! 

Using Sandpaper

While it might not be your conventional “everyday” item, it surely does a good job honing blunt blades. All you have to do is, place the sandpaper on your table and run your knife across the paper for a few minutes on each side. 

For the best result, start with the lower bottom and work your way up to the blade in a circular motion. Repeat the process until you achieve the preferred outcome.  

Using Nail Buffer

Nail buffer not only does a great job polishing your nails, but it also comes in handy to smooth out the blunt edges of a blade. This has to be the next best thing after sandpaper that will help you sharpen your knife on a whim! 

Place the edge of the blade against the buffer and run it all over the buffer until the blade smooths out and that’s it! A razor-sharp knife should be all set to use.

Using Cardboard 

Don’t have a nail buffer at home? Cardboard got you back! Take a cardboard box and place it on the ground. Now, all you need to do is stroke the blade on the edge of the box back and forth. 

Cardboard might not be as effective as sandpaper or nail buffer, but it will still get the job done, no doubt about that. 

With A Stone

Yes, you read it right! Random stones scattered around your front yard will work as fine as a knife sharpener. 

You just need to find a smooth and flat stone and soak it in water for a while. Once the stone seems lubricated enough, keep stroking the blade on the stone until it appears to be smooth. 

With Broken Glass Bottle 

Don’t have the budget to splurge on a knife sharpener? Broken glass bottle to the rescue! Unpolished glass is nothing short of magical when it comes to sharpening your knife. 

Break a glass bottle in half so the edges remain unpolished. Take your knife and glide it through the uneven glass until it becomes sharp. But make sure to wear a rubber glove beforehand and watch out for broken glass shards while sharpening! 

Hacks To Keep Your Knife Sharp 

Knowing how to take good care of kitchen knives can save you tons of bucks down the road. When you have the right trick up your sleeve, there’s a good chance you won’t encounter any trouble with your knife. Have a look at our list below to know how it’s done! 

• Store them properly 

Never mix your knives in with other kitchenware. Your knives should have a complete storage area to themselves. If possible, store them in a wooden drawer in your kitchen cabinet. 

You can also go for a magnetic board so you can have access to them immediately all the while making sure that they remain in place. 

• Wash them using your hand

Tossing it in the dishwasher is one of the worst things you can do to your kitchen knife. Strong detergents can make the knives go blunt really fast. And that’s why experts cannot stress enough the benefits of cleaning knives using your hands. 

Soak a cotton dishcloth in soap and gently wipe off the dirt before running it in the water. However, always keep your fingers off the sharp edges of the knife blades.

• Always pat the knives dry after washing 

Water is no friend of steel. Thus, keeping your knives away from water should be a priority. 

When exposed to water and air, it only takes a couple of days for the knives to rust. Keeping it wet can also lead to mold and bacteria growing all over it. Therefore, always pat the knives dry after washing them. 

Conclusion 

It would not be an exaggeration to call a knife the best friend of a home cook. Thus, knowing how and when to sharpen it is essential. We hope now you have a good idea of how often should you sharpen your kitchen knives. 

Just be careful when using sharp tools in the kitchen. Thanks for reading.