Knives are basic equipment in every kitchen. It is frequently used to cut, slicing, and chop numerous food items such as vegetables, fruits, and meat. If you often use knives, you must know the importance of having a sharp one. It is incredibly annoying if your knife doesn’t work optimally. Frequently using knives makes them dull. Thus, they lose their efficiency and effectiveness over time, making it a challenge in day-to-day kitchen activities. However, the best knife sharpener for Japanese knives gives them a sharp, steely edge in no time. With your set of Japanese knives at home, you must have high-quality sharpeners on hand that can be used for them.
| PRODUCT | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | KitchenIQ Knife Sharpener |  | Check Price |
 | Chef’s choice knife sharpener |  | Check Price |
 | Global Stage 3 Sharpener | | Check Price |
3 Types of Knife Sharpeners
Whetstones
These are often referred to as oil stones or Japanese water stones. This type of knife sharpener is rectangular and require water or oil to activate the surface for sharpening. Some people prefer the synthetic surface of the Japanese water stones while others like natural stone required for oilstones. Both these types work when you sharp existing edge of your knife instead of carving out a fresh one. To utilize the stones, you will need to hold your knife at the optimum angle as you start down the stone. It may require you to make several passes over the stone before your knife is completely sharpened.
Manual and electric sharpeners
In contrast to stones, the sharpeners utilize a V-shaped notch to carve a new edge into the steel. You will also find top electric sharpeners that use a wheel that rotates to grind out the new edge. These designs are super quick and efficient because it will only require several passes through the sharpener. Because the angle is already set at an optimum angle, you don’t need to be hassled about holding the knife the correct way.
Honing Steel
Honing steel is a long rod that is typically coated with a ceramic finish. It helps straighten bent blades without chipping away at the metal edge. If you have super expensive knives, you should definitely own honing steel to keep your blades straight and narrow in between sharpening. It will only take several seconds to run the knife along the surface, so a majority of professional chefs use their honing steel daily.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Knife Sharpener for Japanese Knives
Grit
No matter the type, every knife sharpener comes in various levels. A majority of stones are double-sided, and the manual and electric sharpeners often utilize at least a couple of settings. The level of grit will depend on how much metal is scraped off the knife during the sharpening process. Coarser grits, which is often referred to as 1000 for Japanese water stones, can be utilized on damaged knives that incurred nicks or chips. Medium grit, which is referred to as 1000 to 3000 grit is able to make the knife seem brand-new. Finally, the finest with which is 4000 to 8000 grit is comparable to honing steel and is utilized to refine the edge of your knife.
Size
The size is a top consideration when buying a knife sharpener. Although the size of the sharpener will not affect its ability to sharpen, it can definitely have an impact on how you store it. Do you have storage space for a super large electric sharpener? It is a disadvantage if you have tight spaces. A majority of stones and manual sharpeners are tiny enough to be stored within a drawer. Look at the dimensions of the knife sharpener and consider how you can store it before your buying decision.
Time
A majority of knife sharpeners will get the job done optimally. But some models will get it done much more speedily than others. If you are a professional chef, you may have to spend a minimum of 5 minutes per knife sharpening it on a whetstone. It may not be fun for you, so you should shop around for a manual or electric sharpener that only requires several passes through the surface. It gets the job done much speedily.
Price
Knife sharpeners can cost anywhere from $10-$150. You must factor in your budget and purchase the best-rated sharpener on the market at the price range your budget allows. If you plan to use the sharpener several times, you may want to get a higher quality model that’s built for the long-term. But if you’re only using it for a certain season, such as the holidays, you probably don’t need something super expensive.
Ways to Keep a Knife Sharp
Grip a honing steel
Grip honing steel vertically and allow the tip to rest on a stable surface. Handle the grip firmly with one hand. It is crucial to keep the polishing rod as upright as possible since you will require a constantly straight edge.
Slide the length of the knife
You must identify the part on the steel where the metal is textured. This is the area you want to sharpen your knife against. Press the bottom of the knife of the blade or the thickest part against the honing steel and begin sharpening it at a 15 to 20° angle.
Repeat the same on the other side
Keep your knife in the same hand and repeat the motions on the other side of the knife with the other edge of the blade.
Repeat up to 8 times on every side
It is crucial to keep this motion switching the sides for 8 strokes each. With enough practice, this will begin to feel almost natural.
Sharpen your knives once per week
Once you have mastered the motions, you will have become an expert in sharpening your knives. You’re able to correct small imperfections on the knife and refine the blade, which will improve its ability to chop dice and slice anything you want. It is crucial to stay vigilant. Although you can get away with sharpening knives just once per year, it is ideal for honing your knife once per week, especially before major cooking events.
How to Mitigate Chest Knife Care Mistakes
Chopping board materials
Wooden and plastic chopping boards will have a little give. It is kind on a knife’s edge. Completely hard surfaces can cause dullness on the blade.
However, the downside to these materials is they cannot be manufactured in different colors for food hygiene purposes.
Chopping boards are made of steel, and ceramic are harder and can cause your knife to chip and nick.
Washing your knife with other utensils
If you soak a knife in the sink for long periods, it can result in rust. Even though the majority of knives are made from stainless steel, the stainless component is merely a coating which if soaked for a long time and fade off and deteriorate. Once the chromium fades, the knife is at risk of becoming rusty. The knives can scrape against other cutlery in the dishwasher or bowl, guaranteeing eventual dullness and damage. It is crucial to apply hot water, so better wash your knives right after using them.
Top 3 Best Knife Sharpener for Japanese Knives
OUR TOP PICK!
OUR TOP PICK!
Product Name: KitchenIQ Knife Sharpener
Product Description: This best knife sharpener for Japanese knives brings state-of-the-art technology for knives that have been damaged. This amazing sharpener utilizes a patented edge with features that makes way for the effortless sharpening of knives by putting the sharpener on the table or countertop for convenient use. The sharpener can be set in a couple of ways, fine and coarse. It can accommodate users by allowing them to sharpen every type of knife. The design is compact and provides effortless honing and storage. It utilizes carbide blades that offer quick edge settings and also have ceramic rods for holding a knife’s edge.
Availability: InStock
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Materials
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Durability
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Construction
Overall
Summary
The sharpener also has a nonslip design, which offers extra stability and control along with a firm grip rubber handle. The sharpener also comes with straight edge blades and a serrated edge blade that can refine your knives and blades typically used in kitchens.
The sharpener is an awesome tool for kitchen use and quickly sharpens every type of knife. You can make a steely edge and give your dull knives a new lease on life.
Pros
- Nonslip design
- Extra stability
- Sharpens every type of knife
Cons
- No negative reviews so far
Runners Up
Chef’s choice knife sharpener
This best knife sharpener for Japanese knives is able to convert your dull knives. It utilizes a state-of-the-art patented technology dubbed as the edge select. There are 50° angled edge gives optimum performance than the traditional 20° angles utilized in other models on the market.
The knife is able to sharpen blades optimally. It can sharpen both straight edges and serrated blades.
The sharpener is effortless to use since it carries a patented flexible spring guide that allows for automatic adjustments and precise controls, which facilitate the sharpening of the angle utilizing the simple on and off switch.
The tool offers 3 levels of sharpening for optimal versatility and gives an awesome edge to each stage. It utilizes a flexible abrasive system not only to polish but to make them durable as well.
This combines strength and durability with an almost flawless sharp edge. It will only take you 1 minute to sharpen the knives and will take you hardly several seconds for re-sharpening and finishing.
Since this is an electric sharpener model, it provides you effortless cutting and ease in sharpening in numerous ways. This may just be one of the best investments you can purchase for your kitchen.
Global Stage 3 Sharpener
This best knife sharpener for Japanese knives can add additional life to your old knives that have been sitting on your drawers for years. It can bring back its functionality. The design of the sharpener is user-friendly. It utilizes a handheld sharpener that equips a water reservoir within the innovative ceramic wheels. It helps completely sharpen knives at the correct angle.
The sharpener has 3 color wheels that offer different sharpening settings, including rough, medium, and superfine. It allows users to use whatever setting for their needs. It utilizes global engineering to sharpen all types of knives and offers smooth operations while sharpening the knife edge.
Global can provide a manual sharpener that requires no batteries nor electricity. It is simple and doesn’t require much effort. This saves you time in sharpening knives. It is the best product to hone blades and knives safely and efficiently. The sharpener is almost weightless and affordable to purchase. Knives fit instantly into the sharpener. The sharpener does an awesome job for sharpening knives and can work optimally for any old knife. If you are searching for a functional, weightless, and reliable product, this best knife sharpener for Japanese knives is highly recommended.
Final Thoughts
To eliminate frustration in the kitchen, it is crucial that you have equipment in top form. A knife is something you use in the kitchen daily. Ideal knives are sharp and can cut through the toughest ingredients effortlessly. However, to keep them in tip top shape, you need to invest time in sharpening them. The best knife sharpener for Japanese knives however, can minimize the time you need to maintain your knives. It will only take several minutes per week to make sure that your knife performs as expected.
