Why have my knives sharpened?
A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife†, more effective and just plain more enjoyable to use. Aside from more easily slicing tomatoes, using a sharp knife to cut onions will be less irritating and apples sliced with a sharp knife will resist turning brown longer.
† For details on how a sharp knife is safer than a dull knife – as well as tons of other good information – see:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/51/knife-safety-tips.html#sharp
https://www.cacfp.org/2025/04/08/culinary-basics-knife-skills/
What do I need to know about using my freshly-sharpened knives?
When you receive your sharpened knives, be careful with them! You may have adopted some habits in order to make your knives work as they dulled that can be dangerous with a sharp knife. It's likely you'll receive your knives back sharper than they were when they were brand new.
For your safety, be careful both using and washing/wiping them. It's a joy to use exceptionally sharp knives and, overall, they are safer – but they do require your respect.
Cleaning: DO hand wash and dry your knives immediately after use – DON'T leave them in your sink to surprise someone, DON'T run them through your dishwasher and DON'T leave them to air dry.
Storage: DO store your knives in a block, on a magnetic knife strip or in sheaths/sleeves – DON'T let them rattle around loose in a drawer.
Maintaining the edge: DO hone your knives regularly using a honing rod, also known as a sharpening steel – DON'T use glass, marble, or metal cutting boards.
How often should I get my knives sharpened?
How often you'll want to have your knives sharpened will depend on the knife itself as well as how much it's used and how it is used. Personally, I sharpen my most frequently-used knives approximately every six months.
How do I know if a knife needs to be sharpened?
Basically, if you notice your knife isn't performing as well as it once did, it's probably time for a sharpening.
Are my knives worth sharpening?
Maybe your knife is old or very dull or didn't cost much even when new - as long as it's not severely damaged and there's enough metal to work with, it's probably worth sharpening rather than replacing. In fact, your knife will probably be returned to you sharper than when it was brand new.
My knives are dull but I can't afford your service, what should I do?
Please contact us and let's try to work something out.
My knives are dull but I'd rather just sharpen them myself, what do you recommend?
Wicked Edge is now making a couple of less expensive models (Venture and WE-40) also the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition could be a great choice!
Will sharpening remove a significant amount of material from my knife?
Our precision manual process (no belt sanders are used) removes the minimal amount of material necessary to get your knife sharp in order to preserve its form and maximize its lifespan. Another benefit of the manual process is it's impossible to overheat the edge which can cause damage.
What tools do you use?
I use a Wicked Edge Obsidian (WE-66) and diamond stones from 50 to 2200 grit, a digital angle gauge and a digital microscope.
What's this about "sharper than new"?
Mass-produced knives typically ship with an edge that is sharp enough to be functional but not more than that. As a test, with my most recent knife, a $100 online-only chef knife, I opened and immediately cut a few slices from a tomato, cucumber and carrot for reference. I then ran it through my sharpening process and cut the remainder of those vegetables. The difference was dramatic.
Can you sharpen serrated knives?
Not at this time, no, but I expect to get the tools needed for that at some point.
Can you sharpen scissors?
Yes.
How can I get in touch?
Text or call 612-246-7192 or email [email protected] to reach us.