DIY vs. Professional Knife Sharpening: What You Need to Know

Why Sharp Knives Matter in the Kitchen

When you have sharp knives in your kitchen, all prep work becomes easier. When knives are dull, not only is the work harder and the results less exact, but cutting is more dangerous since you have to exert more cutting pressure which cuts fingers and other accidents more likely. Everyone who cooks knows that sharp knives make cooking less of an effort and also more enjoyable. But knives, no matter how carefully maintained, do not retain their sharp edge forever. They need to be sharpened regularly. Many people think that doing their sharpening is something they need to do to be complete cooks. Not true. Knife sharpening requires professional knowledge and expertise. Going online to look for advice on doing your sharpening never gets you the quality of sharpening that a professional knife sharpening will provide. It can often lead to ruining a good knife.

The Benefits of Professional Knife Sharpening

There are many reasons why professional knife sharpening is best. These include:

You avoid mistakes and damage:

A good knife is not cheap and DIY sharpening can cause knicks, dull edges, blunt patches, and even cracks in the blade itself. Often these defects are difficult to spot and you continue to struggle with what you think is a sharp knife until good cutting is impossible or you hurt yourself.

There are problems you can’t see:

The problem may not be just a dull edge. There could be chips or other defects that affect the cutting. A professional will be able to identify these problems and also have the tools and expertise to fix them.

The life of the knife is increased:

Sharpening involves removing some amount of metal from the blade to create a sharp edge. Removing too much material or not doing it evenly will not only not produce a sharp edge, it will reduce the life of the knife. A professional will be able to produce the sharpest possible edge while removing only the minimum amount of metal. That will extend the life of the knife significantly.

You have access to expert advice:

Once you have a professional knife sharpener available, you also have access to expert knowledge on how to protect the knives, how to hone them to extend the duration of the sharpness, and more. The expert tips and tricks you have access to can make life in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable.

Getting your questions answered: 

You can search online for answers to your questions about any problems you are having with your knives. But how do you know if the advice you find is any good? When you have a relationship with a professional knife sharpener, you can get your questions answered by someone you trust.

Effortless Knife Maintenance with Professional Services

Getting your knives sharpened professionally used to be a hassle. You had to find the sharpening service, take the knives there, and then go back to collect them once the job was done. No longer. There are now professional knife sharpening companies that will collect your knives from you, do an expert sharpening job, check and confirm the quality of the work, and then bring the good as new knives back to you.

Cooking with sharp knives is a pleasure and with the availability of professional sharpening services that pick up, sharpen, and return, you can focus on the food without worrying about the mechanics of sharpening your knives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY knife sharpening safe?

DIY sharpening can be risky as it may lead to knicks, dull edges, or even cracks in the blade. Professional sharpening ensures safety and precision.

Why should I choose professional knife sharpening?

Professionals can identify and fix unseen issues, extend the life of your knife by removing minimal metal, and provide expert advice on knife care.

Can DIY sharpening damage my knife?

Yes, improper sharpening can cause uneven edges, reduce the knife's lifespan, and potentially ruin a good knife.

What are the benefits of professional knife sharpening?

It increases knife longevity, ensures the sharpest edge, and provides you with expert guidance on maintaining your knives.

How convenient is professional knife sharpening?

Many services now offer pick-up and delivery, making it easy to get your knives sharpened without leaving your home.