Do professional chefs use electric knife sharpeners?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 22, 2026
Any professional chef will tell you that good knives are only to be sharpened manually and with a whetstone — electric knife sharpeners are for the uneducated, who don't truly care about their tools. So like any self-respecting cook (someone who interviews chefs for a living!)
Are electric knife sharpeners good for knives?
Yes. If they're designed by people who work with knives on a regular basis, care both for knives and their users – electric knife sharpeners can be great.Are electric knife sharpeners better than manual?
Both manual and electric sharpeners have pros and cons. Manual sharpeners are generally less expensive, don't require a power source, and since they're not automated, offer better control. But they can take some experience to use effectively, and often don't work on serrated knives.What do professional chefs use to sharpen their knives?
A honing steel is a tool used by many professional cooks to realign knife blades.How long does a Wusthof knife sharpener last?
Knives should be sharpened every 6 months to a year with regular use. Either take it to a professional or learn to sharpen yourself. Although, you won't have to worry about sharpening for at least 6 months, you will need to do what is known as “honing” much more frequently.Why I do not use Electric Sharpeners
What knives does Gordon Ramsey use?
Gordon Ramsay uses both Wüsthof and Henckels branded knives; the brands are known for quality products, and they are two of the best knife manufacturers in the world. Wüstoff has been making knives since 1814, and Henckels has been around since 1895.How often do professional chefs sharpen their knives?
Your knives should only need to be sharpened every few months depending on how often they are used – I would also recommend having your knives professionally sharpened every 1-2 years.Do pull through knife sharpeners work?
Because of the mechanics of use, it is impossible to apply the same amount of pressure throughout the blade. As a result, the edge tends to go out of shape changing the original blade profile. There is absolutely no way you can sharpen a knife with a bolster using a pull through sharpener.Should you wear a mask when sharpening knives?
The key is to minimize your total quantity exposure over time. If you sharpen only occasionally as a hobby then you can probably disregard this dust as a minor factor.. However, if you are around this on a daily basis, or your exposure is continuous then you would be well advised to wear the appropriate respirators.Do knife sharpeners get dull?
If it's under frequent use, you will have to replace it in 5-10 years. With infrequent use, it can last you a decade or more. Though, once it no longer sharpens your knife, it's time to look for a replacement. In this situation, it means enough tiny diamond particles have scraped off of the steel.What knives does Bobby Flay use?
He's been using the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife for years, and it's always been his favorite. The Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife gives Flay a significant edge. The blade is made of high-quality Japanese VG-10 steel.What knives does Guy Fieri use?
The Official Knives of Flavortown: Guy Fieri Unsheathes New Knuckle Sandwich Knives
- ErgoChef.
- Santoku ErgoChef.
- Chef ErgoChef.
What knives do Michelin chefs use?
The Michelin two-star chef's favorites are the Maguro and Yanagiba knives made by Tatsuo Ikeda, a traditional, award-winning craftsman from Osaka, Japan.How much does it cost to get a knife sharpened professionally?
Professional knife sharpeners charge on average about $1 an inch, or $8 to sharpen an 8-inch chef's knife. This is a great option if you have want to offload the responsibility and ensure your knives get a tip-top treatment.What is the sharpest knife in the world?
Obsidian knife blades: overkill for slicing your sandwich. The thinnest blades are three nanometres wide at the edge – 10 times sharper than a razor blade. These are made by flaking a long, thin sliver from a core of obsidian (volcanic glass).What do knife makers use to sharpen knives?
Sharpening stones, also known as whetstones, are used to sharpen knife blades through grinding the metal. They can be made of natural quarried stone like novaculite (Arkansas Stone).What are the 4 basic knife skills?
The Four Basic Knife Cutting TechniquesWatch Chef Blake's video to learn the proper methods of dicing, mincing, julienne, and chiffonade.
How do you get good at chopping?
5 Ways To Improve Your Knife Skills
- Choose the right knife. Every cook should have a few different knives at the ready and be aware of their applications. ...
- Know the basic cuts. By mastering a few simple motions, you'll be able to cut items into pieces faster and more effectively. ...
- Grip properly. ...
- Focus. ...
- Maintain your blades.