Have you noticed that your brand name Japanese knives aren’t cutting like they used to? Time withers all things, but thankfully there are several ways to keep your premium knives as sharp as the day you bought them.

Do you want to know how to get your knives to cut through everything like butter again? To preserve your blades sharpness, you need understand why they become dull in the first place, what equipment are available to sharpen them, and how to make them last as long as possible. You may never need to go knife shopping again if you understand how to maintain them properly.

What to Know About Keeping Knives Maintained

To start off, we should look into why you want your knives to always be in top shape. The simple answer is that you’ll save yourself time and money. You probably spent a pretty penny on that deluxe set of Japanese knives, so you’ll want them around as long as possible.

It can save you a lot of effort in the kitchen too. When you cut fruits, veggies, and meat, the most important tool is the knife. A good knife will get you a clean cut with minimal effort, but a blunted blade will make your cuts sloppy and take substantially more effort to go all the way through, especially for more challenging jobs.

What Makes Knives Actually Sharp?

The first thing to know when it comes to knives, is what makes them sharp or dull. A blade is sharp because the edge is actually made up of tons of microscopic sized notches. These notches are like teeth, they wear away at surfaces, making them easy to cut, but they get dulled and wither overtime. Once this happens, the blade loses its ability to cut as smoothly as before.

The blade can be built up of several materials like steel, which are naturally tough substances. Japanese blades typically have multiple layers and highly durable materials. These contribute not only to their higher price tag, but their overall build quality too. Proper maintenance can help these blades reach their full potential even when the edges have been worn away.

Keeping Yourself Safe

You can even avoid some risks with sharper knives. The kitchen is a dangerous place, and a blunt knife is actually more dangerous than a sharp one. With a blunt knife, you’re putting extra pressure which increases the chance the knife will slip and cause some serious damage.

If you keep your knives sharp, you’re not only keeping your kitchen more efficient and safe, you’re saving cash in the long run by not spending so much on knives in the first place.

What to Use to Keep Blades Sharp

There are tools that can help you keep your knives in better shape, done through the process of sharpening. This is the process of making your knives sharper yourself through honing the blade.

• Whetstone is a simple and cheap item you can buy at any hardware store. This is a stone you can sharpen a knife on yourself. Simply rub the knife back and forth a few times and you’ll be brandishing a blade that looks good as new. Whetstone has the advantage of being small and easy enough to use anywhere.
• An Electric Sharpener is a powerful and fast solution. This is a tool where you insert a knife, sometimes even multiple ones, and have them sharpen instantly. However, this tool probably shouldn't be used very often for your premium Japanese blades; they run the risk of causing long-term damage. On the other hand, if you just want a quick and simple sharpening, this may be the solution.
• A Knife Sharpening Service is also a great solution if you don't want to worry about damaging your blade. Some premium brand knives like Yoshihiro Cutlery or Japanese Knife Co. offer services where you can send in your blades to have them professionally sharpened.

With these around, you’ll have a lot of options when it comes to keeping your blades sharp and ready for every job, from a simple slice of fruit, to preparing gourmet meals quickly.

Make Your Knives Last Longer than Ever

Don't get rid of old blades. Knives, mainly Japanese knives, may have a remarkably long lifespan. Properly caring for your pair of blades can help them last a lifetime. Also, consider how much money you'll save if you don't have to replace your set every time it becomes dull. Most consumers are unaware of the significant difference in quality between a premium blade and a generic one, but over time, it becomes abundantly clear that investing in a good set of blades is well worth it.

How Often Should You Sharpen Japanese Knives

That's why you shouldn't throw away knives when they start to get dull, and sharpening, even on a semi-frequent basis can lead to great results. The most important thing to know about keeping your knife sharp is when to sharpen them. For Japanese blades, once every 6 months to a year, depending on how often you use them, should be more than good enough to keep your blades pitch-perfect for as long as you need them.

Keep Your Blades Working for You

To summarize, sharpening your knives is important since it will save you a lot of time and energy. A good knife will create a clean cut with little effort, and you will get your money's worth if you get a top quality Japanese blade, which is going to last for years.

By keeping your knives sharp, you not only improve the efficiency and safety of your kitchen, but you also save money in the long run by not spending as much money on knives in the first place.

To make sure your knives are always in good form, you should know why they become dull in the first place, what equipment you may use to sharpen them, and how to keep them sharp for a longer period of time. Keeping blades sharp may take a little effort, but it’s well worth it.