Home > How To Cook > How to Sharpen a Knife (VIDEO)

How to Sharpen a Knife (VIDEO)

How to sharpen a knife is an important skill that every cook should know. Watch the quick video tutorial on how to sharpen knives, how to hold a knife and keep a safe work surface. Learning these basic knife skills will make prep work safer and more enjoyable.

Once you learn how to sharpen a knife, you’ll want to practice your knife skills and make Spatchcock Chicken or our popular Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad.

How to sharpen a knife with a honing steel

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How to Sharpen a Knife

You should have your knives professionally sharpened at least once a year and more often if you cook frequently. We use Shane’s Sharpening locally (in Boise Idaho).

Even a great knife will dull over time. Between professional sharpenings, use sharpening steel or “honing steel” at least weekly to keep the edge sharp and straight. You will be amazed at how much easier and faster it is to slice with a sharp knife.

The Best Cutting Boards:

We have used our Boos brand cutting board (chopping block) for years and they only get better with time. They are heavy and sturdy and with proper conditioning, will last a lifetime. We oil up our board using either coconut oil, olive oil or this board conditioner. The darker 24×18 “Walnut” board is our favorite. If you have limited counter space or smaller sink, consider the 20×15 block.

Cook’s Tip: Keep separate boards for fruits and veggies so your watermelon will never smell like onions.

Boos block best cutting board

The Knives I Recommend:

My most important kitchen tools are knives. We currently use this Wushoff Classic Ikon set. They are excellent and can last a lifetime with proper care.

We have experimented with various knife sets and this set by Zwilling J.A. Henckels is equally good – these are the knives my Mother used in culinary school. Most knife block sets are sold with a sharpening steel.

If you want to start out with just one knife, a chef’s knife is the most useful and versatile.

wusthoff knife on cutting board with oranges and lemons

Basic Knife Skills:

Watch the video tutorial to learn basic knife skills including:

  • How to Stabilize your Work Surface
  • How to sharpen a Knife
  • How to Hold a Knife
  • “The Claw” position to keep your fingers safe

Cooking Tutorials to “Sharpen” your Kitchen Skills:

 

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

  • Avril Erasmus
    March 3, 2022

    Dear Natasha

    Thank you so much for all the tips. I love all your recipes. There’s one thing that frustrates me is a blunt knife. Whenever we have a family get together at my sisters then I get comments like …you brining your kitchen with…lol YES I bring my kitchen with because here you wont find a decent knife to chop or cut.. then we all end up laughing.. I know now what to get for her next birthday.. a new set of knives. Your recipes is the best. Thank you so much. With love from Avril all the way from Cape Town, South Africa

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 3, 2022

      That is a fantastic idea! I hope these tips are useful for you, thank you for your love and support!

      Reply

  • Janet
    February 27, 2022

    I absolutely love your recipes!
    One day I happened to come across a recipe from you and now I’m hooked!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 27, 2022

      Yay, I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!

      Reply

  • Diane
    October 24, 2021

    Merci encore merci.
    Tout est vraiment bien et bon j’aime tout tout.
    Votre présentation est superbe aussi avec les enfants et votre époux

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 24, 2021

      Thanks for your good feedback Diane. We appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Liz Evelyn
    February 22, 2021

    Hi Natasha,
    I haven’t been following you for very long, but I am enjoying your recipes, and tips. You are a delight to watch and learn from.
    Thank you
    Liz

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 22, 2021

      Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles

      Reply

  • maureen
    February 1, 2021

    Hi Natasha, how are you doing. once again thanks so much for your recipes and tips you have given me. I love every recipe you sent me. and I enjoy watching your cooking program. you are amazing cook. amazing amazing thanks for sharing it. be safe. 🙏👍👍👍👍

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 2, 2021

      Hello Maureen, I’m doing great! You’re very much welcome and thanks too for watching my videos. I hope you’ll love every recipe that you will try!

      Reply

  • DEB JUDISCH
    January 24, 2021

    Oh, one more question, Natasha…how do you feel about a bamboo cutting board?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 24, 2021

      Hi Deb, I have had one and our dry Idaho climate makes them crack and split. I love my John Boos one that I have in our shop.

      Reply

      • JUDY MORRIS
        June 12, 2021

        When my bamboo board starts to look dry, I oil it with mineral oil, let it sit overnight, and wipe off any excess. I have no problems with it cracking. I was told any wood board should be oiled periodically. I do the same for my wood utensils. I have arthritis and tendinitis of my thumbs so the board you recommend it way too heavy for me.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          June 12, 2021

          Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Judy! & that’s right, most cutting boards need to be “seasoned.”

          Reply

  • DEB JUDISCH
    January 24, 2021

    Natasha, Just love you!! I understand all you are saying, but the problem I have is this; when I am chopping veggies that are cut into strips first (using the 3-finger rule) how can I slide my fingers down the veggies? I have to keep a bit of a grip on them with my ring and pointer fingers. Do I just readjust my hand and then chop some more? So awkward! Is there a more proper way? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 24, 2021

      Hi Deb, I often re-adjust when cutting something awkward and go slower for safety.

      Reply

  • Maryanne
    December 22, 2020

    Hi ,you are a fun loving cook.My pleasure to watch you.I tru most of your recepies and succeed.
    Tks swty xx
    Happy festive season.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 22, 2020

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes, Maryanne! Happy Holidays!

      Reply

  • Efrain Arthur
    December 4, 2020

    Let me start with thank you . 2) you are Human a mom, wife , etc lol, make much better to follow you cook videos as a full time home dad and 5yo princess, we are engaged to cook with fun, well done Natasha. 3) thank to you videos , my level of fun cooking 🧑‍🍳 🥘 elevated from dad is cooking to DAD IS COOKING YUMMYYYYY !!! lol .

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 4, 2020

      I’m so happy you love our recipes! Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your encouraging words. I am smiling big reading your comment!

      Reply

  • Mary Zachariadou
    December 3, 2020

    You are the best Natasha because you explain thoroughly!

    Reply

  • Glenda cillo
    August 4, 2020

    Many thanks for the tutorial re: sharpening knives. As busy as you are to take time to reply to my question is better than great. Just love you & your recipes. Thanks again

    Reply

  • Charlie Adams
    July 27, 2020

    Did anyone use Cubikook Sharpener CS-T01 3 Stage before? Please let me know.

    Reply

  • Stephanie L Davis
    July 14, 2020

    Hi Natasha, I just recently joined your secrets to becoming a better cook and videos 1 through 3 have been very helpful. Did you make a video on how to chop and/or mince veggies? Knives and I don’t get along and I am always fearful about performing this task. Since you do it with ease, any tips or tricks for me to make it easier. Thanks so much! The avocado chicken salad is the bomb by the way! So yummy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 14, 2020

      Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for joining the video series! I’m glad they have been helpful! We do have that on our to-do list! Thank you so much for that feedback!

      Reply

      • Stephanie L Davis
        July 15, 2020

        Thank you Natasha for the response! I look forward to seeing those videos.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          July 15, 2020

          My pleasure, Stephanie. I will definitely continue giving you all more recipes to try!

          Reply

  • Serene Hofer
    May 24, 2020

    Love your blog! this was so helpful! thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 24, 2020

      Thank you so much Serene. I hope you love every recipe that you try!

      Reply

      • Serene
        July 27, 2020

        Some of our favorites are your Pavlova recipe and your panna cotta recipe… so, so good!

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          July 28, 2020

          Yummy! Those are our favorites too.

          Reply

  • Donna Pieron
    March 10, 2020

    My dad, a surgeon had to have sharp knives at home in the kitchen, so he was always sharpening them He was emphatic about washing the knife blade after sharpening to avoid any microscopic bits ending up on the steaks or roast. Please, please remind people to wash the blade after sharpening.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 10, 2020

      Thanks for the reminder, Donna. I’ll keep that in mind.

      Reply

  • Sylvia Casci
    March 5, 2020

    Hi Natasha
    I have always been afraid of cutting my hand while using a knife. Your video is really helpful. I will go practice now on some carrots. Thank you so much.
    Love Sylvia

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 5, 2020

      Thanks for watching Silvia. I hope you’ve learned something new today!

      Reply

  • Lapik Valentina
    January 15, 2020

    Natasha, you so cute & so beautiful! You definitely know what you doing!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 15, 2020

      Thank you for that wonderful compliment, Valentina!

      Reply

  • CHRIS COLLINS Collins
    January 13, 2020

    You are the best chef you explain everything it makes it very simple, Natasha have you a good recipe for Butter Chicken and lamb shanks kind regards

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 13, 2020

      I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed our blog and recipes. Thank you! Thank you for that suggestion! We do have this Lamb recipe here.

      Reply

  • James
    January 5, 2020

    It would be a good idea to move your thumb on the other side of the steel.By your fore finger. So if your knife goes back to far it will not cut the tendon in your thumb.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 6, 2020

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, James!

      Reply

  • Bill Poplaski
    January 3, 2020

    Natasha, what you are doing is not sharpening a knife your straightening the edge. After a blade gets used the blade gets wavy and the steel makes it straight again. To sharpen a knive you have to use a stone. The steel just maintains the edge. I love you and your cooking. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 3, 2020

      Thank you so much for your feedback, Bill!

      Reply

  • Adriana
    November 23, 2019

    Thanks fo much for sharing!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 23, 2019

      You’re welcome, Adriana! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.

      Reply

      • Nydia Ramirez
        December 30, 2019

        Thanks for Sharing!
        Happy New Year!

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          December 30, 2019

          You’re welcome! Happy New Year!

          Reply

  • Scott
    August 12, 2019

    Oh, sorry… you are always right on, but not this time. The steel is used to ‘hone’ the knife, not sharpen it. You use a stone with oil, or have them professionally done.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 12, 2019

      Thank you for sharing that with me Scott.

      Reply

  • Elena Lobatsevich
    August 6, 2019

    Natasha, you need to clean up your knife after sharpening, because a lot of metal particles are still on the blade there.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 6, 2019

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Beth Pierce
    August 1, 2019

    These are great tips! I usually take my knives in to the store for sharpening, but I think I will do this for myself from now on!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 1, 2019

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • julie
    August 1, 2019

    A sharp knife is always important to have in the kitchen! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 1, 2019

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Trang
    August 1, 2019

    I totally agree that knife skills are essential to cooking and I am so glad that you posted about this!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 1, 2019

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Kristyn
    August 1, 2019

    Great information to know for sure!! Thanks for sharing! I need to know how to do it right!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 1, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Brian F
    July 31, 2019

    Is there anyone more skilled than you and your cameraman? I think not! Thank you for sharing your talent.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 1, 2019

      You’re so nice! Thank you Brian!!

      Reply

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