Traveling Knife GalA knife is dull when it slides off a tomato skin or crushes an onion. To sharpen a straight edge, grind each side at a consistent angle (about 15 degrees per side for Cutco) on a whetstone or with a guided sharpener until you feel a slight burr, then refine and remove the burr. Serrated and Double-D edges need special tools; Cutco sharpens its knives free for life.
Is it dull?
- The tomato test: a sharp knife bites into the skin with almost no pressure; a dull one slides.
- The paper test: a sharp knife slices hanging paper cleanly instead of tearing it.
- Look at the edge under a light: shiny glints along the edge are rounded, dull spots.
The angle matters
Keep the same angle every stroke. Cutco grinds its straight edges at 15 degrees per side (30 inclusive); many German knives are closer to 20 per side. Matching the existing angle sharpens fastest.
Whetstone, step by step
- Soak or wet the stone as its maker directs; set it on a damp towel, coarse side up.
- Hold the knife at your angle and push it across the stone edge-first, sweeping from heel to tip. Repeat on one side until you can feel a slight burr along the opposite side.
- Do the same on the other side.
- Switch to the fine side and repeat with lighter strokes.
- Remove the burr with a few alternating feather-light strokes or a hone, then wash and dry the knife.
Pull-through and guided sharpeners
Pull-through sharpeners set the angle for you and are fast; use light pressure and few strokes so they don't remove more steel than needed. The Cutco Knife Sharpener is designed for Cutco straight-edge knives.
Sharpening Cutco knives
Straight edges (French Chef, Petite Chef, Santokus, paring knives) can be touched up at home with the Cutco Knife Sharpener. Double-D edges need Cutco's tooling. Every Cutco knife is sharpened free under the Forever Guarantee; bring them to Faith's service events or see how to get Cutco knives sharpened.
Questions
What angle should I sharpen my kitchen knife?
Match the existing edge. Cutco straight edges are 15 degrees per side; many German knives are about 20.
How often should kitchen knives be sharpened?
When honing no longer brings back the edge, typically every several months to a year for home cooks.
Can I sharpen Cutco knives myself?
Straight-edge Cutco knives can be touched up with the Cutco Knife Sharpener; Double-D knives should be sent to Cutco, which sharpens them free.
Keep reading
Sources: Cutco: Just the Facts · Cutco: Knife Sharpening & Repair