How do you keep your knives sharp?

You always have to sharpen, but in the meantime, always handwash your knives and then place them in the block blade-side up. Maybe that's common knowledge, but you know, it wasn't for me when I learned it and I've had the same relatively cheaper set for quite a while now.

 

Hey Zeke.

Like you, I have a bunch of different knives in the kitchen (fine-edge; hollow-ground; old school chromium; restaurant supply-house discount/institutional), and like you find that routine (2 or 3x/year) sharpening is pretty monotonous with nothing but a whetstone. I've been shopping for a decent electric that won't overheat the blades or chew 'em up. Found this at Consumer Reports:

If you want an electric knife sharpener:
Chef’s Choice Professional Sharpening Station, $140
Russell Hobbs Classic Satin, $70

These have three guide slots for different sharpening stages. The Chef’s Choice’s tight slots ensured even, sharp edges. The Russell Hobbs didn’t sharpen and hone quite as well but is a good buy.

I imagine you can find them at varying prices around the internet. Good luck.

 

These folks have the Chefs' Choice at 109+. $9 shipping.

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=C130

 

Thanks, jg.

I think that's going on the birthday list...

 

I can't stand the sound, so my wife sharpens them with a whetstone.

 

blade side up? doesn't sound like a good idea if you have kids around.

i have mine on a magnet bolted to the wall. but once the little one arrives in the fall and is old enough to start walking around and reaching for stuff will get a block.

that said, i use a global water sharpener. it seems to work fine. we have a guy who drives around our neighborhood in a mobile knife sharpening van. i've seen him drive past twice in two years but have never been quick enough to catch him in time.

 

One word. GINSU!!!!!!!

 

What I mean by blade-side up is: the blade still goes into the block, just the cutting side is toward the ceiling, not the floor; it prevents it from dulling each time you pull it from/place it back into the block.