Sky > wrote:
>Yes, I know GIMF*, but sometimes it's far more responsive to ask a
>question here than to let my fingers do the searching.
>
>Anywho, my question about sharpening knives regards one of those
>circular sharpeners (is there a formal name for this 'thing'?)
>frequently found with sets of knives that include wooden storage
>blocks. Which way to I draw the knife along that circular sharpener.
>Do I pull the knife blade backwards up along the sharpener, or do I push
>it blade first downwards? Either way alternately? Not sure how to
>describe what I mean, and I hope I make sense. TIA.

A steel isn't a sharpener. It's a straightener for an
already sharp edge that you've deformed by using it for
cutting.

The technique is to "shave" the steel with the blade,
lightly, making sure the entire blade is used in making
the stroke. The blade isn't laid flat against the blade;
it is held out at about a 20-degree angle, as if you
were sharpening it.

Ignore the flashy nonsense that you see on the TV.

Do it carefully with light pressure. Again, all you're
doing is straightening the sharp edge.

You should do this every third or fourth time you take
the knife out to use it. Every 100-200th time you use
the knife you should have it sharpened.

--Blair