How to Sharpen a Knife the Easy Way

This is the easy way to properly sharpen a knife with a knife-sharpening steel.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Smooth-blade knife
• Sharpening Steel

1. Put down a dish rag or towel, and fold into fours to put down as a pad for supporting the steel and not scratching the countertop.

2. Carefully put the steel, point down into the middle of the pad.

3. Angle the steel 45 degrees.

4. Hold your knife, blade down, perpendicular to the countertop (blade pointing straight down) and starting from the back of the knife, and the top of the steel, "cut" straight down to the countertop, pulling the knife from back to front as you do. Do not let the blade go from side to side. Hold it steady and repeat this in smooth strokes, applying some pressure as you go down to the countertop.

5. Alternatively, angle your sharpening steel 45 degrees the other way and repeat, the same number of strokes, on the other side of the blade.

6. When finished, clean your blade carefully and test!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use steel wool or anything too abrasive to clean your knife blade. Refer to manufacturer's suggestions if you own a high-end knife like Shun or Global.
• You can also sharpen your other knifes such as pocket knifes, and fishing knives in a similar fashion. Just be mindful to clean both the blade and sharpening steel when finished.
• This WILL sharpen your knife considerably so be careful of the razor-sharp blade.

[Surfthetide]

on 8/15/2009 Good step by step approach to sharpen a knife the esay way. 5* and an R

[jwvanno]

on 8/13/2009 Sounds much easier than holding the blade at a consistent 45 degrees. I'll try this, this weekend. THANKS!

[michelleperez]

on 8/7/2009 Good discription, better than paying someone else to do it!

[saveitnow]

on 8/7/2009 Thanks, I'll try this.