Sharpening Knives: Preparing for the New Year

I am very excited. I just got my knives sharpened. I liken it to getting a haircut or your eyebrows waxed because you just feel so differently about yourself. Sharpening a knife makes you feel so differently about preparing food and cooking. Suddenly your knife goes easily through an onion and your cuts become straighter and neater. No longer are you hacking at something that really shouldn't be cut with a piece of dull steel. A sharp knife is really a wonderful thing to hold and use.

Most people have some sort of "at home" knife sharpener they use, but most at home sharpeners can only partially straighten out the blade of your knife - they cannot resharpen the actual blade itself. They are great for touch ups between sharpening your knife, but for a real sharp knife, you should take your knife to a professional.

Now - this is for your average home cook - not for professional chefs alone. EVERYONE should get their knives sharpened - it will reduce your chance of injury and also it just makes cooking that much more fun.

I get my knives cut at Perfect Edge in San Mateo. Sur La Table at times offers free knife sharpening services, but as I do not know WHO exactly is sharpening my knife (much in the same way you like to go to the same hairdresser) I prefer to go to my guys at Perfect Edge. But look up a knife sharpening on either Yelp or your local yellow pages, and definitely have your knives sharpened.

Much in the same way you deserve a haircut, you definitely deserve a great knife.


My absolute favorite all purpose knife, now newly sharpened.


My favorite paring knife, also newly sharpened