Chip

Just bouight decent set of knives. Got a steel but wondering whether there are better ways to sharpen knives than by using a steel. Seen a few but not sure if theyre any good.

Chip.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Most steels are only good for honing the blade - essentially bending it back straight when it's been bent over during use. They can restore the use of a good edge when there's one there already, but don't remove enough metal to create a sharp edge where none exists already. There are exceptions, though.

To really keep them sharp you need a whetstone. I use two:

- one double-sided, medium on one side and fine on the other. This is good for putting an edge on a knife which has become dull and cuts very poorly.

- one super-fine (3000 grit), which puts a mirror finish and the final touch to a blade that's already sharp.

Use the super-fine grade regularly and you won't need the coarser grades. Mine are badged Global and came from Russums.

n one

iTrader: (5)

Chip, not gone to watch the rally then boyo

Freak

Plenty of knives flying about on MIG- eh chip

Chip

MIG?????????

Chip.

Chip

Nah, too much to do at home at the mo. Used to go every year without fail when Mikkola, Blomqist etc were still competing.

Chip.

STi-Frenchie

I use the diamond sharpening steel that came with my Wusthofs - it scratched the blade a little but by God/Allah/Mohammed once I'd used it, I had to be *extra* careful I didn't slice off my fingers when chopping vegetables. Sharper than a very, very sharp thing!

ajm

I use a steel for all my knives, even my fishing knives! The knack is keeping the steel at the right angle throughout the entire stroke, if you don't you end up curling the edge first one way, then the other. You should be able to get a razor edge - test on your forearm hair!

AlexM

The best one I've found (that is, one requiring no skill from the user!) is the Shinkansen water sharpener.

It uses two cermac disks with a v-shaped groove (coarse and fine). Ten passes of a very blunt blade through both disks will see it back with a very sharp edge that lasts well. I think the grooves are profiled to set the edge with two angles so that it stays sharp longer.

Cheers,

Alex