Let's Talk BBQ
Tips, Tricks & Just Good Advice! => Good to Know! - A collection of How-To's & Sage Advice => Welcome to Outdoor Cooking! => Topic started by: deestafford on June 06, 2015, 09:13:59 AM
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One of the most important things we cookers have are our knives. We have some folks here on the forum who are really experts in this area and have demonstrated their knowledge at a couple of the Gatherings.
Yesterday, I received the most recent issue of Cook's Illustrated, July & August 2015, and it has a great article on knife sharpening and knife sharpeners. As many of you know, there are basically two degree angles of sharpening kitchen knives: the Western is 20* and the Asian is 15*. The latter is thinner and sharper. The majority of knives we buy have the 20* angle; however, some European manufacturers including Wusthof, Henckels, Messermeister and Mercer have launched their own 15-degree knives and sharpeners. In fact, Wusthof and Henckels have discontinued their 20-degree knives.
From everything I read there is a tremendous difference in the sharpness of the two angles.
With this knowledge many people, including myself, want to convert our 20-degree knives to 15-degrees. Cook's Illustrated tested nine models of knife sharpeners to evaluate. After indepth testing, to include using MIT's high-powered laboratory microscope to see the edges in great detail, they rated various knife sharpeners.
The top manual and the top electric were both Chef's Choice: The manual was Chef Choice's Pronto Manual Diamond Hone Asian Knife Sharpener ($49.95) and the electric was Chef's Choice Trizor XV Knife Sharpener ($149.95). From what I read the electric is the way I want to go. There seems to be numerous advantages to the electric model if you have to take a nick out of your knife and also converts easier from 20-degrees to 15-degrees.
I recommend going to your nearest news stand and getting this July-August issue of Cook's Illustrated if you are interested in making sure your knives are in the best shape possible.
I'm far from an expert, more of an intermediate novice, in this area. We have some folks here who are true experts. So, take my comments from my level of knowledge and check things out for yourself.
Dee
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Great information, Dee. Most of my knives are Shun and they include free sharpening service. BUT, I have to pack them up and send them off for at least a couple weeks, plus there is the shipping cost both ways. If this sharpener can do the 15* angle, it sounds like a great investment.
Thanks!
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I am so ghetto when it comes to sharpening knives...........I just sharpen em on the bottom of a coffee mug.....it has the unglazed ring and my knives can cut the mustard so to speak.........................
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The most dangerous tool in the kitchen is a dull knife or The Smoke sharpening knives on a coffee mug.
I have all 20 degree knives I think. This interests me. Thanks for posting.
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I have the Henckels, they an older set. How do I confirm the correct sharpening angle?
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I have the Henckels, they an older set. How do I confirm the correct sharpening angle?
Email them. That's what I did. Only 90% sure I remember the answer :P
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I have been using the Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener for over a year now and it is the best sharpener for the price that I have used. I can set the angle from 15* to 30*, it has variable speed control and the belts go from 220 to 6000 grit plus a leather strop belt. About 5 minutes and a knife goes from no edge to shaving sharp.
Also shown is my Kalamazoo 1x42 with a leather belt. This thread got me interested in belt sharpening . http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/776367/tp/1/
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Thanks highball. Took a look at the Ken Onion - looks very interesting. I might pull the trigger on this one.
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If you get one make sure its the Ken Onion Work Sharp, it is a huge upgrade to the original
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If you get one make sure its the Ken Onion Work Sharp, it is a huge upgrade to the original
Thanks for the heads up!
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If you get one make sure its the Ken Onion Work Sharp, it is a huge upgrade to the original
I have the original work sharp. It does to a great job
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I have the Henckels, they an older set. How do I confirm the correct sharpening angle?
Email them. That's what I did. Only 90% sure I remember the answer :P
Pappy is wise ;)
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I have seen the Ken Orion and it really looks good. Cabela's carries them. I almost bought one and never got around to it. I think I will go with the Chef's Choice because of the simplicity. The Orion has a great video and it made to more as bigger knives such as hunting and machetes and even other things that need sharpening. If a person needs more than just kitchen knives it maybe the way to go. Tee and Art had some great comments on knife sharpening a couple of years ago. Maybe they will come online and give their opinions soon. Dee
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I am so ghetto when it comes to sharpening knives...........I just sharpen em on the bottom of a coffee mug.....it has the unglazed ring and my knives can cut the mustard so to speak.........................
Ok sounds great Smoke. How close is your local hospital and do you have medical insurance?
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I have seen the Ken Orion and it really looks good. Cabela's carries them. I almost bought one and never got around to it. I think I will go with the Chef's Choice because of the simplicity. The Orion has a great video and it made to more as bigger knives such as hunting and machetes and even other things that need sharpening. If a person needs more than just kitchen knives it maybe the way to go. Tee and Art had some great comments on knife sharpening a couple of years ago. Maybe they will come online and give their opinions soon. Dee
Advice?...Sharper is better. :D
Seriously - the Work Sharp is a good - albeit un-orthodox way to sharpen. The Ken Onion unit is nice, but it was a lot extra...and I don't remember what the extra features were.
If you prefer a manually ( non-electric ) tool - The Apex knife sharpener is awesome. Now, you can get a MUCH cheaper version available all over e-bay. The difference is the stones. The stones that come with the Apex are excellent quality. The cheap ones...are cheap.
I recommend you buy the knock off sharpener, and then order the Apex stones. You will find that once you practice a little - you can sharpen any blade to a razor edge.
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Ordered and just received the KO Work Sharp - who would of thunk you'd need a tool to remove it from the cardboard base. I haven't seen this much packaging in a very long time. While it is very well protected, I think my PBC used less cardboard and was not only as well or better protected, but so much easier to unpack. Heck, my last laptop came in less packaging! Seriously, you need a pliers or adjustable end wrench to remove this from the cardboard backing - there are two screws and nuts locking the unit to the cardboard they are NOT able to be loosened by hand... And that is after taking off the other layers of packaging and the cardboard "quick start" to get to the DVD and real instructions... seriously? so, maybe tomorrow...
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David, Bet they don't have any returns because of "damaged in shipping". Dee
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Dee, I am sure you are right!
BTW - not only is the packaging industrial strength - this seems to be an incredibly solid and well built tool - I am impressed! Plan to spend the weekend playing with my knives... :) :) :)
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Dee, I am sure you are right!
BTW - not only is the packaging industrial strength - this seems to be an incredibly solid and well built tool - I am impressed! Plan to spend the weekend playing with my knives... :) :) :)
I believe I have the same one. It does serrated knives too