Just realized how much knife sharpening has changed since I started 15 years ago

Back when I first started at a shop in Pittsburgh, I used a stone on a wet rag and just went by feel. It took like 20 minutes per knife and I still ended up with uneven edges half the time. Now I use a guided system with diamond stones that cost me about $200, and I can do a whole set of boning knives in 10 minutes flat. Anyone else switch from freehand to a guided system or do you still prefer the old way?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda_clark1mo ago

Stick with freehand here and don't plan on changing. There's something about feeling the edge grab across a stone that you just don't get with a jig. Yeah it takes longer and my results aren't always perfect first try, but I've learned to sharpen by touch and sound instead of relying on a gadget. Plus those guided systems cost a lot and take up counter space I don't have.

the_simon1mo ago

My first guided system was a lansky that I got for like 50 bucks back in like 2008 maybe. @linda_clark i totally get what youre saying about feel and sound, i miss that too sometimes. but for me it came down to speed and consistency since i was doing knives for a restaurant and couldnt afford to mess up. i still keep a couple stones around for touch ups on my personal knives though.