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Page Contents:
-Keeping a Sharp Edge... an Introduction
-Chef's Choice Electric Knife Sharpeners
-Kershaw Electric Knife Sharpener
-Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
-Manual Knife Sharpeners
-Ceramic & Crock Sticks
-Sharpening Stones
-Honing Oil
-Steels
-Crystal Crafter
Related Pages:
-Knife Storage
-Cutting Boards
-Knife Guide
-Ceramic Knife Sharpening
-ChefsChoice
Sharpener Comparison
-Smith's
Abrasives Sharpening Instructions
 Home
Sharpeners
Keeping a Sharp Edge:
To maintain the edge on your metal knives, realign the edge on a regular
basis, using a medium-abrasive steel.
A steel is a rod, usually made of chromed steel or ceramics, and attached to
a handle with safety guard. Plated with a chromium-based metal, a realigning
steel is just a few Rockwell degrees harder than the cutlery, so that it can
only remove small burrs and straighten the edge.
A fine, smooth whetstone can also be used to regularly realign an edge.
A few gentle strokes of the edge, alternating sides, holding the edge at
about a 20-degree angle from the steel or stone, is all it takes to keep it
sharp.
If you find using a steel difficult, there are fixed-angle units, and units
with miniature steels or ceramic discs aligned at the proper angle for
foolproof maintenance.
Most chromed steels are magnetized, and most ceramic steels are coarse
enough so as to collect the fine bits of metal removed from the knife edge.
All must be cleaned regularly.
A steel ideally removes only a minimal amount of metal from the edge. Over a
period of time, however, perhaps a year or two under normal household use,
enough metal is removed that the edge requires sharpening by grinding.
Aggressive use of knives on hard surfaces and using a steel incorrectly
will require more frequent edge grinding.
From Dull to Sharp:
When a steel no longer keeps the edge sharp, put a new edge on your metal
knives using a grinding tool that is capable of reshaping the metal.
A grinding tool can be made of stone, ceramics or metals. The grade of
abrasion, or the degree of hardness and coarseness, determines how much
metal a sharpener is capable of removing.
Grinding to reshape a blunt edge takes many strokes of the tool.
Electrically driven grinders make the work faster.
A manual tool that is lighter than your knife can be worked over the blade;
work the blade over heavier sharpening tools and into electric grinders.
Maintain an angle of 15-23°, depending on the sharpness desired. To help you
maintain the correct angle, use sharpeners with the sharpening elements
placed at fixed angles.
Steels that are made of ceramic material, or embedded with diamonds, are
coarse and hard enough to grind metal, and are not easy to control in
maintaining the right angle.
Whetstones, or "stones", are available in "hard" (fine) to "soft" (coarse)
abrasions. Maintaining the correct angle requires some skill. Work the edge
into the stone. Use with either water or honing oil to maintain a scum-free
abrasive surface and to prevent clogging of surface pores. Natural
whetstones have longevity, can be used on any type of blade, and can reach
places other sharpeners can't. Fine natural whetstones not only hone, but
also polish the edge.
Composite whetstones are also available in various abrasions and are
inexpensive. Usage is similar to natural stones, but they clog more easily
and wear more quickly.
Other composite surfaces may be diamond permeated or contain other natural
or synthetic substances.
Watch Those Angles:
Maintaining the right angle usually requires some effort and a good bit of
practice. Use sharpeners with fixed-angle surfaces for greater accuracy and
ease. When manually grinding an edge, the grinding angle should be more
blunt for chef knives and others that are usually used against a cutting
surface. Make the edges sharper for knives used to slice, fillet, pare, etc.
Important Note regarding Ceramic Knives:
Ceramic knives require special sharpening equipment and should never be
steeled. (See details)
We sharpen knives. In-store, usually while you wait. Cost is
only a couple dollars per metal knife. Usually additional
fee and must-leave for chipped edge and broken point repairs. (Directions and store hours.)
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Chef'sChoice Electric Knife Sharpeners
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ChefsChoice
EdgeSelect Electric
Sharpener, Model 120
$129.99
#1291
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The three stage Diamond Hone® Sharpener-Plus incorporates conical
100% diamond coated disks in Stage 1 and 2 and a stropping/polishing
Stage 3, to create, in just seconds, a sharp and durable edge. The
highly polished fine edge can be customized to suit the cutting task.
Precision elastomeric angle guides eliminate all guesswork. 3-year
limited warranty.
 Made in USA
 ChefsChoice
EdgeSelect Model 120 Sharpener Manual |
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Chef'sChoice
Professional Sharpening
Station, Model 130
$159.99
#122239
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For sharpening, steeling and stropping all types of knives, sharpens
both straight edge and serrated blades. Three stages: Diamond abrasives
in Stage 1, super-hardened steel abrasives in Stage 2, and flexible
stropping in disks in Stage 3. Precision angle guides.
Assembled in the USA
Cook"s Illustrated
Essential Kitchen Equipment #38 |
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ChefsChoice
Diamond Hone Electric
Sharpener 3-Stage, White, Model 110W
$79.99
#3372
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This professional electric sharpener safely and quickly gives
kitchen and sports knives an incredibly sharp, longer-lasting edge with
no guesswork. Patented 3-stage process, 100% diamond abrasives and
magnetic guides create razor-sharp edges. Sharpens the entire edge of
kitchen, fishing, hunting and pocketknives. Safe for quality knives.
2-year limited warranty.
Made in USA
Frequently Asked Questions |
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Kershaw Electric Knife Sharpener
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Kershaw
Shun AP119 Electric Knife
Sharpener, Black
$69.99
($88 List Price)
#122157
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5-3/8 x 4-3/8" base,
4" high,
Ceramic sharpening wheels in removable cartridge,
Coarse and fine aligned together for single-pass sharpening,
Cartridge can be removed for rinse cleaning and is replaceable,
Includes plastic top-cover (not shown),
Cord storage underneath,
Instructional CD included,
 UL Listed, 120v, 60Hz, 60 Watts
1 year limited warranty
Made in China |
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Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
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Kyocera
Electric Diamond Knife Sharpener
Model DS-50
$79.99
#1683
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Sharpener is for ceramic knives only.
Blade guide assembly lifts off to re-position for right- or left-hand
use, with reverse-motor switch.
Grinding discs assembly removes for easy cleaning.
Run button with on-indicator lamp.
DC 6.0 volt motor.
Uses four AA Alkaline (aka LR6) batteries, not included.
7" x 5.75" footprint, 3.25" high.
#600 grade industrial diamond stone.
ABS resin body.
For use only with ceramic knives that are thin, straight-edged,
and beveled on both sides. (See Spec
Sheet)
The handle on short knives can prevent the edge from reaching the discs.
Guaranteed for use only with Kyocera ceramic knives.
5 year limited warranty.
Made in China
 See
Flash Video Demonstration
Kyocera
Electric Diamond Knife Sharpener Instruction Manual
Spec Sheet |
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Replacement Discs Set
$19.95
#DS-50 R |
Replacement discs are available by Special Order. Contact us. |
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Manual Knife Sharpeners
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Chef'sChoice
AngleSelect 4623
Diamond Hone
Knife Sharpener
$29.99
#1246
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Double bevel 3-stage sharpening slots,
15° slot for santoku and slicing knives,
20° slot for kitchen and sports knives,
Third slot for honing and for serrated knives,
Diamond abrasives,
Slip-resistant rubber feet,
7.6" long,
1 year limited warranty,
Made in USA
ChefsChoice
AngleSelect 4623 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener Instructions |
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Wusthof
2-Stage Knife Sharpener
$19.99
#121911
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8" long,
1.7" wide,
3.5" high,
Soft grip handle,
Carbon coarse stage,
Ceramic fine stage,
Fine stage can also be used to hone serrated and scalloped edges,
Made in China
Wusthof
2-Stage Knife Sharpener Use & Care Guide |
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Henckels
Twinsharp Select Knife Sharpener
$24.99
#122242
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7-1/2" wide,
Steel wheels for coarse sharpening,
Ceramic wheels for fine sharpening and smoothing,
Hand guard,
Non-skid feet,
Stainless steel and plastic
Made in Germany
Henckels
TwinSharp Select Knife Sharpener User Manual |
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Chef'sChoice
Manual Diamond Hone Scissor
Sharpener, Model 490
$19.99
#19778
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5-3/4 x 2-1/4" wide,
2-stage sharpening system,
Coarse pad for very dull or damaged edges,
Fine pad for honing,
Magnet holds pads in place,
Pad storage area underneath,
100% diamond abrasives,
Includes 3 angled guides for edge positioning,
Guides slide onto sharpener,
For right- or left-handed use,
1 year limited warranty |
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Smith's
3-in-1 Sharpening System #CCD4
$19.99
#5556
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8.2" long,
2" at its widest,
4x1" diamond stone (750 Grit Fine),
V-shape tungsten carbide slot (Coarse),
4" long ceramic rods (Extra Fine),
Storage area underneath for rods,
Non-slip rubber feet
Made in China
Ceramic rods can be positioned to sharpen either straight or serrated
edge knives.
Smith's
3-in-1 Sharpening System User Manual |
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Smith's
Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener,
Model PP1
$14.99
#1046
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3.2" long,
1.1" wide,
0.4" thick,
Carbide blades for edge grinding,
Ceramic stones for edge finishing,
2" long tapered diamond rod for serrated edges,
Made in China
Diamond rod can be used to sharpen many serrated knives |
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EdgeWare
V-Slot Knife & Scissor Sharpener
$8.99
#1884
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6" long,
V-shaped knife sharpening slot with carbide sharpening blades,
Floating ceramic scissor sharpening rod,
Pre-set angles on blades and rod,
Soft-grip handle,
Made in China |
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EdgeWare
Edge Grip Knife Sharpener
$5.99
#1898
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3.75 x 2",
1.5" high,
V-shaped coarse carbon blades,
Ceramic fine honing rods,
Pre-set angles on blades and rods,
Soft-grip and slip-resistant,
V-grip underside keeps sharpener steady when used along a countertop
edge,
Made in China
Watch
Video |
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Ceramic Crock Sticks Sharpener
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Lansky
2-Stage Crock Stick Sharpener
$39.99
#11034
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11" x 2" base,
9" medium and fine crock stick pairs,
Ceramic crock sticks,
Wooden base,
Hand guard,
Storage for rods under holder
Made in USA
♦ Use coarse pair with narrow (20°) angle to thin and tune edge,
then/or...
♦ Use fine pair with wide (25°) angle to sharpen and hone.
Insert rods in appropriate holes, seat them properly, and place hand
under the Lexan hand safety guard.
 Holding
the knife perpendicular to the counter, draw the blade down the left
rod, from heel to tip, as if slicing bread.
 Repeat
above step down the right rod. |
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Sharpening Stones
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3"Lansky Pocket Arkansas Sharpening Stone
Fine Grit
$9.99
#1654
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3" x 1",
1/4" thick,
Shaped from Arkansas novaculite,
Has grooves for sharpening pointed objects on one side,
Flat surface on opposite side,
Includes 4" x 2.25" leather pouch,
Made in USA
Instructions on Using a Pocket Stone |
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6 x 2" Hard Natural Arkansas Bench
Sharpening Stone
$19.99
#11038
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6 x 2" stone,
7 x 3" wooden base,
1-1/4" high overall,
Used to achieve an exceptionally fine edge
Made in USA |
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6 x 2" Soft Natural Arkansas Bench
Sharpening Stone
$24.99
#11037
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6 x 2" stone,
7 x 3" wooden base,
1-1/4" high overall,
Used to achieve a fast, sharp edge
Made in USA |
| (similar to above, except with brown
wooden base) |
8 x 2" Soft Natural Arkansas Bench
Sharpening Stone
$27.99
#11040
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8 x 2" stone,
9 x 3" wooden base,
1-1/4" high overall,
Used to achieve a fast, sharp edge
Made in USA |
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Smith's
Tri-Hone Knife Sharpening System
$34.99
#5550
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Stones are 5-7/8 x 1-1/2 x 3/8",
Medium (soft) natural Arkansas stone,
Fine (hard) natural Arkansas stone,
Aluminum oxide (bonded abrasive) stone,
9 x 3" plastic base with non-skid feet,
1 oz premium honing oil bottle included,
Use medium and fine on a regular basis,
Aluminum oxide for realignment and to remove nicks,
Smith's Tri-Hone Knife Sharpening System Instructions
Made in USA and China |
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Smith's
Diamond Sharpening Stone, Fine
Grit
$34.99
#5567
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750 grit surface,
6 x 2-1/2" surface,
6-1/4 x 2-3/4" base,
Non-slip rubber feet,
Micron-sized monocrystalline diamond surface,
Stone is removable from base
Instructions included
Made in China
Smith's Diamond Sharpening Stone Insructions |
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Smith's
Diamond Sharpening Stone, Coarse
Grit
$36.99
#5566
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325 grit surface
6 x 2-1/2" surface,
6-1/4 x 2-3/4" base,
Non-slip rubber feet,
Micron-sized monocrystalline diamond surface,
Stone is removable from base
Made in China
Smith's Diamond Sharpening Stone Insructions |
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Honing Oil
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Nathan's
Natural Premium Honing Oil
$3.99
#11039
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4 oz plastic bottle with flip-top lid,
Highly refined mineral oil,
Use only a few drops to lubricate stones and hones
Made in USA |
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Steels
| HENCKELS
SHARPENING STEEL DEMO - WMV VIDEO |
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Fante's Pro Line
Hard Chromed Steel, 10"
$24.99
#7517
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Medium grit,
15-1/4" long overall,
5-1/4" long handle,
Plus 1" hanging ring,
7/16" thick tapered rod,
Hard chromed steel,
Magnetic surface,
Polypropylene handle,
Stainless ring
Made in Germany |
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Henckels
Hard Chromed Steel, 10"
$39.99
($60 List)
#6962
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Medium grit,
15" long overall,
5-1/4" long handle,
Plus 3/4" hanging ring,
1/2" thick tapered rod,
Hard chromed steel,
Magnetic surface,
Polypropylene handle,
Metal band and ring
Made in Germany |
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Wusthof
Hard Chromed Steel, 9"
$19.99
($30 List)
#1434
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Medium grit,
14" long overall,
5" long handle,
Plus 3/4" hanging ring,
3/8" thick rod,
Hard chromed steel,
Magnetic surface,
Polypropylene handle,
Stainless ring
Made in Germany |
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Lansky
Sharpening Crock Stick
$11.99
#11035
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Medium grit,
12" long overall,
4-1/4" handle,
Alumina ceramic rod,
5/16" thick,
Solid hardwood handle
Made in USA |
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Chef'sChoice
EdgeCrafter Diamond
Sharpening Oval Steel, 10"
$39.99
#21654
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15-1/4" overall length,
5-1/4" long handle,
Diamond coated steel,
Realigns and hones,
Non slip textured handle,
1 year limited warranty
Made in USA |
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Lansky
Diamond Butcher's Rod, 13"
$49.99
#1666
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18.5" long overall,
13" long rod,
7/16" rod diameter,
Permanently studded fine diamonds on heavy-duty steel,
Rubberized handle,
Hard acrylic hand guard,
Hanging ring |
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Smith's
Diamond Sharpening Oval Steel,
10"
$37.99
#5569
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15" overall length,
5" long handle,
Diamond coated nickel,
Interrupted surface catches shaved metal,
Realigns and hones,
Oversized safety guard,
Non slip handle
Made in China
Watch
Video |
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Crystal Crafter
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Chef'sChoice
Crystal Crafter™
$19.99
#1188
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8.25" long overall,
4" long rod,
0.25" wide,
100% diamond abrasives,
Plastic handle,
Made in USA
ChefsChoice
Crystal Crafter Instructions
Smooth away sharp nicks, chips and jagged edges of crystal and
glass, ceramics and pottery, as well as edges of cutlery. |
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