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Why isKnife SharpeningImportant?

A squeaky door tells you it’s time to hit the hinges with lubricant. When a lamp starts flickering, you know you need to change the bulb.

Knives communicate in much the same way when their blades need sharpening—sometimes with visible nicks or chips, sometimes with a dull, rounded edge that can’t cleanly cut through paper.

Regular sharpening is a vital part of knife maintenance. Here’s why it’s so important.

A sharp knife is a safe knife. When your blade is dull, you’ll need more force to get it to cut, increasing the risk of slips and accidents. Working with a sharp blade gives you better control and precision, reducing the odds of a dangerous mishap.

Sharpening, Honing, and Stropping

Unless you’re content with replacing your knives every time the edge gets dull, you’ll need to practice knife edge maintenance. Sharpening is one way to do that, but frequent touch-ups with a honing rod or a fine abrasive material make it easier to maintain a razor-sharp edge.

What’s the difference between honing and sharpening a knife? Sharpening involves reshaping the blade’s bevel and removing material to create a new edge. Honing realigns the edge without removing much material, perfect for maintaining the edge between sharpening sessions.

And if you really want to bring back that mirror-like finish, stropping is a great way to polish and refine a blade’s edge. Stropping removes microscopic burrs and further aligns the edge for maximum sharpness, and it doesn’t require any fancy tools—a leather strop and some polishing compound are all you need to bring back the shine.

Whether you’re slicing tomatoes or opening packages, a sharp knife will outperform a dull one every time. A well-maintained edge is easier to use and results in cleaner cuts, which is especially important in food preparation, where a dull blade can bruise or tear delicate ingredients.

Next: The Mechanics of Knife SharpeningThe CRKT Knife Sharpening Guide