Sharpening Knives
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We aim to introduce our customers to a knife sharpening guide to help them maintain the sharpness of their knives and prolong their enjoyment of cooking. Our hope is that our customers can savor the pleasure of using knives while enhancing their culinary experiences even further.
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The Importance of Sharpening Knives
With each cut, the blade of any tool encounters resistance and wears down. If left unchecked, the edge will chip, dull, or become unusable. The purpose of sharpening tools is to restore their sharpness and return them to their original condition. This is especially important for knives because their sharpness has a significant impact on the taste, texture, and quality of food. Professional chefs understand this impact. In fact, studies have used sensors to measure the taste of tomato extracts cut with both sharp and dull knives. The results showed that extracts from tomatoes cut with dull knives had more than twice the bitterness and astringency of those cut with sharp knives, with a slight increase in saltiness and a decrease in acidity. You may also have noticed differences in moisture release and shape integrity when cutting the same food with a dull knife versus a sharp knife. Understanding how this affects flavor and texture underscores the importance of sharpening knives to maintain their cutting edge.
Before You Start Sharpening Knives
In this section, we will cover essential knowledge for anyone who sharpens knives. By keeping these points in mind, you'll find it easier to address any questions or issues that may arise during the sharpening process.
Knife Sharpening Techniques and Grit Selection for Whetstones: Basic Steps and Considerations
The blog outlines key steps and grit selection for whetstone knife sharpening. It recommends starting with a coarse stone (240-600 grit) for basic sharpening, moving to a medium stone (800-2000 grit) for refining, and finishing with a high-grit stone (3000-8000) for polishing. Proper wetting, consistent angle maintenance, and even pressure are crucial for effective sharpening. Experience and adjustments based on the knife's specifics enhance the process.
Daily Care of Whetstone
While whetstones are crucial for knife maintenance, you might wonder if they require any special care themselves. Although they generally do not need much attention, the most serious issues they can encounter—akin to rust on knives—are warping and denting. It's important to know what to watch for to prevent these problems and ensure your whetstone remains in good condition for clean and effective use.
Would you like to experience the sharpness of handcrafted knives from Sakai City, used by 98% of Japanese chefs?
With our exclusive partnership with Shiroyama Japanese Knife Manufacturing, we offer top-quality knives, free Honbazuke, a protective Saya, and after-sales services for long-term confidence.
KIREAJI's Three Promises to You
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1. High-quality Japanese Knive
We offer knives crafted by craftsmen from Sakai City.
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2. Genuine Sharpness
To ensure you experience sharpness, we provide a free Honbazuke by our skilled craftsmen.
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3. Lifetime Knife Use
Every knife comes with a free Saya(Sheath) for durability. We also provide paid after-sales services with Sakai City Japanese knife workshop.