How to Use an Electric Knife Sharpener: The Complete Guide

Having sharp knives makes cooking easier, safer, and more enjoyable. An electric knife sharpener is a simple way to keep your kitchen knives in top shape. This guide will show you how to use one properly.

Why Sharp Knives Matter

A dull knife requires more force to cut. This increases the risk of slipping and injury. Sharp knives cut cleanly and make food prep faster. With the right tool like a Work Sharp knife sharpener, you can maintain sharp culinary tools at home.

Understanding Electric Knife Sharpeners

Electric knife sharpeners use motorized wheels or belts with abrasive surfaces to sharpen blades. They take the guesswork out of the process that manual sharpening stones require.

Types of Electric Knife Sharpeners

Most electric sharpeners fall into these groups:

• Multi-stage sharpeners: Models like Chef’s Choice have different slots for grinding, sharpening, and honing.
• Belt sharpeners: The Work Sharp knife and tool sharpener uses flexible abrasive belts.
• Single-stage sharpeners: Basic models like some Presto EverSharp electric units focus on simple sharpening.

Before You Begin

Safety First

1. Place your sharpener on a stable, flat surface.
2. Keep the power cord away from the working area.
3. Never test blade sharpness with your fingers.
4. Unplug the sharpener when not in use.

Know Your Knives

Not all knives should be put through an electric sharpener:

• Good for electric sharpening: Most kitchen knives, including chef’s knives and utility knives
• Better with other methods: High-end Japanese knives, serrated knives, ceramic blades

Steps to Use an Electric Knife Sharpeners

1. Set Up Your Sharpeners

• Place the sharpener on a stable surface at comfortable height.
• Ensure it’s clean with no debris in the slots.
• Plug it in and turn it on if needed.

2. Identify the Stages

Most quality sharpeners like Chef’s Choice have multiple stages:

• Stage 1: Coarse grinding (for very dull knives)
• Stage 2: Sharpening (creates the main edge)
• Stage 3: Honing/polishing (refines the edge)

The Presto EverSharp electric models typically have two stages, while more advanced units offer three or more.

3. Check Your Knife

Before sharpening:

• Clean and dry the knife.
• Look for any damage like chips or bent tips.
• Identify what type of knife you have.

4. The Sharpening Process

For a typical three-stage electric sharpener:

Stage 1 (If Knife is Very Dull):

1. Hold the knife handle firmly with your dominant hand.
2. Place the heel of the blade (part closest to handle) into the slot.
3. Pull the knife through slowly and steadily, applying light pressure.
4. Take about 3-5 seconds per pull.
5. Alternate sides, doing the same number of pulls on each side (usually 3-5 pulls per side).

Stage 2 (Main Sharpening):

1. Follow the same process as Stage 1.
2. Use lighter pressure than Stage 1.
3. Pull the knife through 2-3 times on each side.

Stage 3 (Honing/Polishing):

1. Use very light pressure.
2. Pull the knife through 1-2 times on each side.
3. This stage creates a smooth, polished edge.

5. Test Your Knife

A properly sharpened knife should:

• Slice through paper easily
• Cut a tomato without squishing it
• Feel smooth when you carefully run your thumb perpendicular to the edge

Tips for Best Results

Proper Technique

• Maintain a consistent angle by letting the sharpener guide the blade.
• Use light pressure let the machine do the work.
• Pull at a steady, moderate pace.
• Always pull, never push the knife through the slots.

Frequency of Sharpening

• Regular kitchen knives: Every 2-3 months with normal use
• Professional or heavy use: Monthly or as needed
• Use the honing stage more frequently to maintain sharpness

Electric vs. Other Sharpening Methods

Electric Sharpeners vs. Sharpening Stones

While traditional sharpening stones give more control, they require skill and practice. Electric sharpeners like the EverSharp or Chef’s Choice models make the process much simpler and faster.

The best knife sharpeners for most home cooks are electric because they offer:

• Consistent results
• Preset angles
• Quick operation

However, sharpening stones may still be better for specialty or high-end knives.

Electric vs. Manual Sharpeners

Manual pull-through sharpeners work on similar principles to electric ones but require you to provide the motion. Electric models create more consistent results with less effort.

Popular Electric Knife Sharpener Brands

Chef’s Choice

Chef’s Choice (sometimes written as “Chef schoice”) offers precision-engineered sharpeners with diamond abrasive wheels. They’re known for durability and excellent results on most kitchen knives.

Presto EverSharp

The Presto EverSharp electric models provide affordable options with simple two-stage sharpening. They work well for basic kitchen knife maintenance.

Work Sharp

Work Sharp knife and tool sharpener units use flexible abrasive belts that can sharpen a wide variety of blade shapes. Many models can handle kitchen knives, scissors, and even garden tools.

Maintaining Your Electric Sharpener

To keep your sharpener working properly:

• Clean it regularly by turning it upside down and gently tapping to remove metal shavings
• Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth
• Check for wear on abrasive wheels/belts
• Replace parts as needed according to manufacturer instructions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too much pressure
2. Rushing the process
3. Skipping stages
4. Using the coarse stage too often
5. Sharpening knives that shouldn’t be machine-sharpened

When to Use Professional Sharpening

Consider professional sharpening for:

• Expensive, high-end knives
• Severely damaged blades
• Specialty knives with unusual angles
• When you want to preserve the original factory edge

Conclusion

An electric knife sharpener makes it easy to maintain sharp knives at home. The key is using the right technique and understanding how your specific model works. Whether you choose a Chef’s Choice, Presto EverSharp electric, or Work Sharp knife sharpener, the process is similar: start with the coarsest stage needed, use light pressure, and finish with the finest stage.

Sharp knives make cooking more enjoyable and safer. With regular maintenance using your electric sharpener, you’ll always have the edge you need in the kitchen.

Remember that different knife types may need different approaches, so always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for both your knives and your sharpener. With a little practice, you’ll be keeping your kitchen knives perfectly sharp with minimal effort.