how often do you sharpen kitchen knives?

[WhollyGhost]

Because we have never, ever sharpened ours...

Mine are all blunt and I have a sharpener that is like two discs that you rub the knife through. Still all blunt. Have actually considered an electric sharpener. Would love someone to knock on the door and sharpen all my knives and scissors. I think those days are over.

I would love...

You should sharpen your knives each time you use them - a couple of strokes on a steel will keep them in tip top condition. Blunt knives are dangerous as there is a greater chance of them slipping and cutting you. A sharp knife will bite into the food being chopped/sliced and not slip.

Try asking your local butcher to sharpen your knives - they will have the right skills and equipment.
HTH

Oh and clean after you sharpen and before you use them, otherwise you risk small bits of metal going into your food!

I do it when I feel they are not sharp enough.
have one of those round thingys similar to a nail file.

I do it when I remember - I've got one of those fancy flat whetstone things my daughter bought for me.

Oh dear. TIme to do ours, I fear.

I try to hone my knives with a steel everytime I use them...mostly I depend on one knife, this will maintain the sharpness for a while but eventually the knife needs to have the angle of its edge ground somewhere between between 6 months to a year depending on use and hardness of steel - basically when honing no longer works for more than a few chops.

I use a Chefs Choice 110, requires very little skill to get the angle right, magnets guide you - expensive investment but I couldn't find a local professional sharpener and blunt knives make cooking too much of a chore, knives are my top kitchen gadget.

If you live in London - Divertimenti on Marlebone High Street can do it for you for a small charge. Selfridges has a guy from Henkels who comes in some time in Nov so you might be lucky, all for a small charitable donation.

or take 'em to your butcher. Mine does mine for nowt!

Thanks for all the tips I have invested in a round nail file thing

if this is too hard, I'll try the butcher

You should do them every time you use them.

I have a sharpener that is mounted onto the kitchen worktop, by the hob, and it takes seconds.

Sharp knives are much safer than blunt ones, as well as being easier to use.

the nail file thing workd well if the blades are still thin. if they are not (anymore) better take them to the butcher or shoe repair shop to sharpen.

This is the one I have

Never. I think I need to start though.

I never do mine, i don't like them too sharp though, as would probably end up slicing my fingers off

When ever MIL is about to visit :)

Actually that is a complete lie, I love my mil and I never sharpen knives ever since having to take mum to A&E when she used a recently sharpened knife upside down, not a pretty sight