The difference in sharpening and sharpening Wusthof knives

While Wusthof knives are known for their amazing and long-lasting sharpness, with regular use, like any knife, Wusthof knives will require sharpening. Each edge of the blade has very fine teeth that bend to either side after a certain amount of cutting that cannot be seen without a microscope. These teeth can be realigned with a Wusthof sharpening steel to keep the edge sharp for a lifetime.

Sharp

Wusthof offers very fine steels to use in sharpening your Wusthof knives. These are similar to the ones that butchers use. The finer surface highlights a fine edge, but if used it should be used regularly. Japanese chefs are known for sharpening their knives on a daily basis. Simply guide the blade of the knife through the steel with light pressure in an arcing motion, from side to side at an angle of approximately 20 degrees. Pass the blade through the steel only once in a row and repeat the process six to eight times. Holding the tip down allows you to see the point of contact of the knife and the steel.

Sharp

When your knife blade becomes dull, you may need to sharpen it, as sharpening will no longer be effective. Sharpening is done with an abrasive surface tool and is designed to reshape the edge to its original shape and sharpness. There are several different types of sharpening tools:

Diamond Knife – This tool is coated with industrial diamonds and allows for the creation of a new edge quickly. It is used in a similar way to the burnishing tool.

Ceramic: Ceramic is a very hard material that is abrasive, but not as abrasive as a diamond sharpener. This provides a thinner edge. The ceramic rod should also be used as a honing tool. The ceramic wheels, two of which make a ceramic tool, offer the correct angle so you can smoothly run your knife to get a new sharp edge again.

Sharpening Stones – This is an efficient and professional way to sharpen your Wusthof knives. You can buy Wusthof sharpening stones in different grits for different finenesses on the edge of the blade. A coarser grit can be used to remove small nicks from the blade. The finest grain is used to complete the sharpening and polish the edge. The finer the sand, the smoother and sharper the knife’s edge will be.

Proper care of your Wusthof knife set will ensure a lifetime of use and pleasure with the Wusthof knives it contains.