Where to get Kitchen Knives sharpened

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scoots

Well-known member
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Oct 21, 2008
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Location
Chattanooga TN
Back in the day...

When kitchen knives got dull you'd take them up to the butcher's shop at Safeway and ask the man behind the counter to sharpen them. Apparently that doesn't happen any more since I've been turned away more than once this month.

Covid, don't you know.

So two questions:

1) Where do non-knife people go to get their knives sharpened?

2) Is there a YouTube video that you kitchen-folk approve of so I can learn to do this myself?

I'm sorry to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I suspect that this is something that needs to be learned as a technique, not taught as a procedure.

My Dad ruined all my Mom's knives over the years from ham-fisted grinding. I'd like to try to get this technique straight in the long-run and do it myself, but right now I have a crisis with knives that just don't cut.

Thanks -
 
I received an electric knife sharpener for Christmas 3 years ago from my husband.  I’ve sharpened all of our knives with it, following the instructions to a tee.  What a difference it made!

 

 It was easy and fairly quick, plus I can sharpen them now any time its needed.  I’ve only needed to sharpen a couple of my most used knives twice in 3 years, and I use my knives daily. I wish I’d asked for this gift a long time ago.

 

It’s BOL Chef’s Choice and I’ve included the info in the link.

 

HTH,

Eddie

 
I also

endorse the Chef's Choice line of sharpeners. America's Test Kitchen endorses them.

Also, the Sur La Table cookware stores used to offer sharpening. No idea if they still do, but if there is one in your region, call and ask.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
I've been using a higher end Chef's Choice sharpener for over a decade, with excellent results. It's the one with three slots/wheels: coarse for dinged edges, then medium for routine sharpening, followed by very find (like stropping) for the finish. It gives a two angle edge that works extremely well in the kitchen.

Come to think of it, time to resharpen a couple of paring knives. I should probably stop using them to open letters <g> ...
 
I've has a couple of Chef's choice sharpeners over the years and liked them.  Their name recognition has gone to their CEOs head and they are greatly over priced at the moment.  Before tossing them out, I had an old one tucked away and when the newer one failed I decided to pull the motors out "just in case".

 

What I found is there is no wheel only a diamond encrusted bar about 2" long that goes back and forth on an eccentric drive.  There are some powerful magnets surrounding the slots that I harvested. This was the basic version with 2 slots. All the replacements I found where in the $100 range, I think I paid $30ish for the one I had, so I decided on the Presto version on Amazon for $39.  Jury is still out on it, this one appears to have rotating wheels but it does not hold the knife firmly at the correct angle, and tends to stall quite easily so light pressure is required.  I think I'm past the return window and I'm stuck with it and will have to learn how best to use it.

 

Moral of the story- don't cheap out but see if there is a knock off version of the chef's choice out there.
 
The model Chef's Choice I have is the "EdgeSelect 120, Diamond Hone Sharpener Plus.

The model I have has a nice chrome plated exterior, which has held up very well over the years. I notice newer models have a cheaper looking gray matte finish.

As I recall, Chef's Choice touts the "Trizor Edge" its sharpeners can deliver. I guess that's three angles: the steep primary grind, then the less steep secondary grind, and finally the even less steep final "hone". The gradations are gradual and give a good razor sharp result.

I've put the link for the 120 from Amazon below. I *think* I got mine at Costco many years ago for about $90. Maybe a lot less, since Costco routinely discounts stuff. Now they are going for $130 to $160, if you can find one. Apparently the quality isn't what it used to be. Have had zero problems with mine.

Also found an image online of the exact model I have...


sudsmaster-2021042918454508669_1.jpg
 
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Kitchenaid ceramic knife...

Awesome knife, works great for me and NEVER needs to be sharpened.

Except for some guests that used them to cut hard stuff or dropped them. In 4 years i had probably 8 knives broken (I broke ONE stupidly trying to use the knife tip as a screwdriver for my barbecue grill light battery compartment.

Anyway, now I have a brand new (a few months old) Kitchenaid chef's knife (also ceramic) and I tell everybody that arrives here that "if you don't want me to cut a certain small part of your body and give it to my dogs, don't you dare to think about touching my knives.
 
Agreed about the various independent butcher and grocer option.  A small grocer near me has a guy set up in a tent every Friday for knife sharpening.  Farmers' markets are another place I've seen this offered.

 

Several years ago I bought a NLA attachment for my KitchenAid mixer that has been the best knife sharpener I've yet to use, but given the remarks about Chef's Choice, I could be overstating things.  Regardless, I leave the sharpening attachment on all the time so it's ready when needed.  It's easy to use and my knives have been a pleasure to use ever since I nabbed this attachment on eBay. 

 

I don't have a picture of it, but I do have a picture of the instructions that I was able to lift from another eBay listing that gives you an idea of what it looks like.

rp2813-2021042922290109504_1.jpg
 
Mom used to take ours to the sewing machine shop she frequented. They sharpened scissors and knives. At that time they charged $1 each. I bought a sharpener on Amazon that does pretty well as well.
 
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