Sharpening vs. Honing

Knife Sharpening

Running your knives back and forth over a steel, a long, thin, metal rod usually with a plastic or rubber handle, thinking that you are in fact sharpening your blade is a myth.

Running your knife over a honing steel does NOT sharpen your knife.

Sharpening a knife can only be accomplished by actually grinding or shaving off tiny bits of the blade’s metal, giving the blade a completely new edge. You need professional sharpening equipment, a whetstone, or a professional knife sharpening service to actually sharpen you knives. 

What your honing steel does is help keep the blade straight. Every time you cut, chop or slice, the blade of your knife is bent ever so slightly as a result of coming into contact with the food and your cutting board. The more you use your knife, the more tiny twists and turns for your blade. A honing steel literally moves your blade back into place. It straightens the blade, but doesn’t sharpen it.

Why use a Professional Knife Sharpening Service

Knife Sharpening

Every client that calls me says the same thing. ” I didn’t think this service was available until I googled knife sharpening long island”.

Well, knife sharpening services are out there and for your more expensive knives, you should have them sharpened at least twice a year. Even the most expensive knives get dull over time, and yes, dull knives are still very dangerous.

Before you hire a knife sharpener, ask how they sharpen the knives. Be very cautious if they say anything about belt sanders and grinders. That can destroy your knives.  Even though it takes skill and time, I only sharpen by hand and treat every knife like it was my own.

A Blog about Knife Sharpening?

Knife Sharpening

Sure, why not. people have blogs about everything else. Smokin Knife Works is a Long Island NY based knife sharpening service. We can come to your location and sharpen your kitchen knives, hunting/sporting knives, shears and scissors.

I remember the old days when the guy in the old ice cream truck used to drive around ringing his bell and I would run out thinking he was a ice cream man. Only to turn around to see my grandmother walking right behind me with a hand-full knives and scissors.

Well I don’t have a old ice cream truck but I will come to your house or business when you call and sharpen your knives.