The Best Way To Sharpen & Clean Knives (And The Worst) | Epicurious 101, by Epicurious on YouTube. 13 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Test if the knife is sharp by carefully slicing a ripe tomato or sheet of paper. If it slips or tears instead of cutting cleanly, it needs sharpening.
Soak the water stone in water for about 10 minutes until bubbles stop rising. Place it on a damp towel so it does not slide.
Hold the knife at roughly a 15 to 20 degree angle to the stone. Push the blade across the stone in smooth strokes, covering the full edge from heel to tip.
Flip the knife and repeat the same number of strokes on the other side. Keep the angle steady and keep the stone wet as you work.
Run the honing steel along the edge at the same angle, a few light strokes per side, to realign the edge between sharpenings.
If you use a manual pull-through sharpener, set it on a stable surface and pull the blade through the slot in one steady motion, following the maker's direction.
For an electric sharpener, switch it on and draw the blade through the slots slowly and evenly, then wipe off metal dust.
Wash the knife by hand with warm water and mild soap, dry it fully with a cloth, and never leave it soaking in the sink.
Store the knife in a block, on a magnetic strip or in a knife roll so the edge does not knock against other tools.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the stone wet while sharpening, since a dry stone can heat and damage the edge.
Hold a steady angle on both sides, as an uneven angle makes the knife cut crooked.
Do not put good knives in the dishwasher, because heat and movement dull the edge.
A ceramic plate can touch up an edge in a pinch, but it is not a substitute for a stone.
Questions
How often should I sharpen my kitchen knife?
Hone it every few uses and sharpen it on a stone every few months, depending on how much you cook.
Do I need to soak the whetstone?
Water stones need soaking for about 10 minutes before use. Oil stones use oil instead, so check which type you have.
Can I sharpen a serrated knife the same way?
No. Serrated edges need a tapered rod or a sharpener made for serrations, not a flat stone.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
