Professional Knife Sharpening: When to DIY vs. When to Call the Experts

Keeping Your American-Made Knives Razor Sharp

Your premium chef's knife is only as good as its edge. Understanding when to sharpen at home versus seeking professional help can make the difference between a knife that lasts decades and one that's ruined in months.

Signs Your Knife Needs Attention

• Tomatoes crush instead of slice cleanly
• Paper tears instead of cutting smoothly
• You're applying more pressure than usual
• The edge looks chipped or damaged

DIY Sharpening: The Basics

Whetstones: The gold standard for home sharpening. Start with 1000-grit for regular maintenance, 400-grit for very dull knives.

Honing Steel: Perfect for daily maintenance between sharpenings. This realigns the edge rather than removing metal.

Pull-Through Sharpeners: Convenient but use sparingly - they remove more metal than necessary.

When to Go Professional

Seek professional sharpening for:
• Severely damaged or chipped blades
• Expensive Japanese or custom knives
• When you're unsure about technique
• Annual deep sharpening for heavy-use knives

Remember: A sharp knife is a safe knife. Regular maintenance keeps your American-made chef's knife performing at its peak.