For avid cooks, having a sharp knife is essential for preparing meals quickly and safely. Dull knives require more force and can be dangerous when used with slippery ingredients—so if you’re serious about cooking, it’s important to regularly sharpen your knives.

But how do you do that?

Luckily, we are here to guide you through the basic do's and don'ts of knife sharpening!

The Types of Knife Sharpening Tools

There are several different types of knife sharpening tools available on the market. The most common include whetstones (a flat stone used to sharpen knives), honing rods (rods made of ceramic that help prolong the edge), electric knife sharpeners (self-contained units that feature two slots for stropping and honing blades), and professional guided knife sharpening systems.

Each type has its pros and cons, so it's important to research all your professional knife sharpener options before deciding.

Knife Sharpening Do's & Don'ts

When it comes to sharpening and maintaining your knives, there are several things you should keep in mind.

Don't use electric sharpeners on damaged blades or any blade for that matter.

Never use an electric sharpener if your blades have been damaged or bent—these machines can actually make the problem worse. If your blades are damaged, take them to a professional service instead. Electric sharpeners lack adjustability to customize the sharpening angle, this results in electric sharpeners removing way more metal than is necessary reducing the lifespan of your knife. It is common for consumers to initially be impressed with how quick and easy it is to use an electric knife sharpener, but after resharpening their knives 3 or 4 times the excitement quickly turns to regret when they realize how much metal they have removed.

Do use the right sharpening tool

It's important to use the right sharpening tool for your knives—this will help ensure that you get the best possible result. For instance, electric sharpeners will quickly sharpen blades with minimal effort and produce crude results, while whetstones are better suited for those who want a more precise finish.

Guided sharpening systems can typically give you the best of both worlds: convenience and excellent results. If you want the best knife sharpener money can buy, check out the Pro 3 Kit - Professional Model Edge Pro Sharpening System. The Pro 3 Kit is one such tool that provides high-quality results, thanks to its adjustable angles and five different water stones.

Don't sharpen your knives with zero knowledge going in

Don't purchase an expensive sharpening tool only to not do any research on how to properly sharpen your knives. Not only will you waste money, but you can also damage your knives if you don't know what you're doing.

Douse the right technique

We recommend researching sharpening techniques before attempting to sharpen your knives yourself. This includes watching online tutorials (preferably tutorials directly from the manufacturer) and reading up on the process so you can do it correctly and safely.

And always make sure that you use the right technique when sharpening. Pay close attention to the instructions and take your time to ensure that you get the best results.

Don't put your knives in the dishwasher

It might seem like a good idea to throw your knives in the dishwasher for cleaning, but it can actually ding and damage the blade. The harsh detergents and heat can also cause the blade to warp and dull over time. You may try to avoid throwing your knives in the dishwasher by soaking your knives instead, but this can be a bad idea as well. Soaking your knives can cause rust on the blade and damage the handle.

Do wash your knives by hand

It's best to hand-wash your knives with warm water and soap, dry them with a cotton towel, and store them on a magnetic holder. This will help preserve the sharpness and integrity of your knives.

Don't speed through the sharpening process

Whether you're in a hurry or want to look like a master chef, it's important to take your time when sharpening. If you rush through the motions, you may end up with an uneven edge or a dull blade. Or even worse, you can accidentally cut yourself depending on which technique you are using.

Do take your time when sharpening

Sharpening knives is not a race—take your time and use the right technique. Don't rush, and make sure to follow the instructions that come with your sharpening tool. You'll get better results and a longer-lasting edge if you take the time to do it right.

Don't use your knife on certain surfaces

It may be tempting to use your knife on whatever chopping board you have lying around, but some surfaces can cause your blade to dull quicker than others. Plastic, glass, granite, marble, and stone cutting boards are all hard surfaces that can damage your blade.

Douse a high-quality wooden cutting board

It's best to invest in a quality wooden or bamboo cutting board. Wood is a softer material and won't damage or dull your knife as quickly. Plus, it's easier on your hands when you're doing a lot of prep work.

Don't assume your knife can last a lifetime

While knives are strong, they can dull fast, especially if you cook often. It's important to sharpen your knives regularly to ensure that you always have a sharp blade when you need it.

Do sharpen your knife regularly

If you want your knives to stay sharp and last a long time, it's important to sharpen them on a regular basis. Some people may need to sharpen their knives every two weeks while others twice a year, depending on how often they cook. You can use a ceramic honing rod (LINK) as a touch up tool in-between sharpenings.

The Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener Money Can Buy

Keeping your knives sharp is essential for any kitchen. Sharp knives make cooking easier and help to ensure that you are able to prepare food safely. The good news is that there are tools available like The Pro 3 Kit - Professional Model Edge Pro Sharpening System that can help make this process easy and straightforward—even if you have little experience in knife sharpening!

Let’s break down why this tool is a must-have for sharpening your knives.

Features of The Pro 3 Kit

This guided sharpening system is designed to provide users with a comprehensive sharpening experience. It comes with everything you need to sharpen your knives, including water stones, polish tapes, mounting blanks, ceramic hones, a microfiber towel, a water bottle, and even an instructional DVD and manual instructional videos are also available online (link to video page). This tool also features adjustable angles so that users can easily customize the angle of their knife blade for optimal sharpness.

A great feature of the Pro 3 Kit is that it includes five different water stones which range from 120 grit coarse up to 1000 grit ultra-fine. This allows users to take their knife from dull and damaged to razor-sharp in no time at all!

Additionally, it comes with 2 packs of 15 polish tapes each (2000 grit, 3000 grit), which allow users to really fine-tune their knife's edge for maximum sharpness.

It also comes with a 10" 1200 grit ceramic hone, allowing users to quickly resharpen their knives.

Need help learning how to use your tools? No problem! With the instructional DVD and manual and videos online, you can quickly learn the ins and outs of using your sharpening system.

Do’s and Don’ts While Using The Pro 3 Kit

Knife sharpening requires patience and precision—you don’t want to rush this process.

Don't assume you can ignore the instructions

Don't assume you know exactly how the tool works if you've never used it before, watch videos about it, or read the instruction manual.

Do read manuals and watch instructional videos

When using the Pro 3 Kit, it's important to follow the instructions carefully and pay close attention when making adjustments. It's also a good idea to watch online tutorials and read up on the process so you can do it correctly and safely. By spending a little time doing your research, you can ensure that you get the most out of this professional knife sharpener.

Don't over sharpen the blade

There is a limit to how sharp a blade can get. Over-sharpening will only cause unnecessary wear to your knife and sharpening stones.

Do sharpen frequently and correctly

Regularly sharpening your blades is important and using the Pro 3 Kit can help you do it correctly. Take your time and be sure to follow the instructions carefully and you'll have a sharp blade in no time!

Why you need the best

Ultimately, The Pro 3 Kit is a great investment for any home cook looking to keep their knives sharp and in perfect condition. With its comprehensive set of tools, adjustable angles, and easy-to-follow instructions, it's no wonder this sharpening system is one of the best on the market!

Just remember: always exercise caution when attempting any type of knife sharpening as it does require patience and precision! Once you master these techniques though you'll be able to keep all your kitchen knives nice and sharp for years to come!

Conclusion

Even if you don't consider yourself much of a cook, having a few quality kitchen knives can make meal prep easier and safer. To get the most out of those knives, though, it's important to keep them properly sharpened with the right tools and techniques. With these tips in mind—from choosing the right type of sharpener down to the dos and don'ts—you'll be able to enjoy perfectly sharpened blades whenever you need them!