How often do the knives need to be sharpened? Maintenance guide

Feb 2, 2025

A sharp knife is not only easier to use – it's also safer, more precise and enhances your eating experience. Here's our guide to how to care for your knives so they stay sharp and ready to use.

Sharpen your knives regularly

Knives need regular sharpening to maintain their sharpness. We recommend sharpening every 6 to 12 months, depending on how much the knives are used.

During sharpening, small amounts of metal are removed from the blade to form a new edge. This can also remove nicks and burrs, and even repair broken tips. The result is knives that are sharper than new!

At Tomatosharp, all knives are professionally sharpened on Japanese wet stones. This gives us the ability to customize the sharpening for each individual knife, and also offer repairs and additional maintenance if the knife needs it.

Sharpening: home maintenance

After sharpening, it is important to sharpen the knives occasionally to maintain their sharpness. Honing does not remove any material from the knife, but will help maintain the sharp edge created when sharpening the knife. For sharpening, we recommend our leather strap or a ceramic sharpening rod. If the knife is dull, it must be sharpened before the sharpening will have any effect.

We recommend sharpening the knife regularly - about once a week, or more frequently if you use the knife often.

Proper use of knives

Knives are designed for specific tasks, and it is important to use them correctly to avoid unnecessary wear and tear:

  • Do not use kitchen knives for tasks such as opening cardboard boxes or cutting through bones and frozen foods.
  • Make sure you have the right knives available so you can tackle different tasks efficiently.
  • Not sure which knife is right for what? Explore our knife guide at tomatosharp.no .

Safe storage

Proper storage protects both your knives and yourself. We recommend:

This prevents the knives from hitting each other or other utensils, which could damage the blade.

Cleaning the blades

Proper cleaning is essential to prolonging the life of your knives and maintaining their sharpness. Here are some simple but important rules:

  1. Do not use the dishwasher!
    Dishwasher detergent is very abrasive, and the movement inside the machine can damage both the blade and the handle .

  2. Wash knives immediately after use.
    Use warm, soapy water and wash the knives gently by hand.

  3. Wash one knife at a time
    Putting multiple knives in the sink can cause them to hit each other, damaging the blades and increasing the risk of injury.

  4. Always keep the blade away from you.
    This reduces the risk of cuts during cleaning.

  5. Use the right technique
    When washing, wrap the cloth or sponge around the back of the knife (the blunt part) and wipe from the heel towards the tip. Avoid rubbing directly on the edge.

  6. Rinse thoroughly
    Be sure to remove all detergent from the blade to avoid damage to the metal.

  7. Dry the knives carefully
    Dry the knife immediately after rinsing with the same care as when washing. This will prevent water spots and rust.

Tomatosharp: Your partner for sharp knives

At Tomatosharp, we understand how important it is to have sharp and well-maintained knives. Our experts offer professional sharpening and advice, so you can focus on cooking. Order sharpening today and experience the difference!

🔪 Order knife sharpening

🔪 Sign up for a basic knife sharpening course


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