FAQ's

How often should I have my knives sharpened?

Well, that depends on how often you use your knives and how well you maintain them between sharpening.  Most home chefs should have their knives sharpened between once per month and once per quarter.  

Professional chefs and commercial kitchens should have edges sharpened a minimum of once or twice a month.

​

How do I know when my knives need to be sharpened?

The simplest way is to test the CuttingEdge of the knife on your fingernail or the side of a plastic ballpoint pen. (We also sell edge testers.) Be sure to do this on both sides of the knife. Hold the knife at a 45° angle to your nail or pen and if the knife slides off your nail or down the pen on both sides, it needs sharpening.  If it only slides on one side of the knife you should be able to hone the CuttingEdge back to life (see the knife care section below).  Also, are you able to accomplish your cutting tasks with minimal effort?  If not, it needs sharpening.  If your knife has never been professionally sharpened, it needs sharpening.  Because you are on this website, your knives need sharpening.  
Shall we go on?

​

How should I care for my knives between sharpening?

Only use your knives for their intended purpose - FOOD (that does not include chopping at frozen food or prying apart frozen food with the tip). Use a honing steel either before or after each time you use your knife. Only use your knives on wood or HDPE "plastic" cutting boards.  Don't put your knives in the dishwasher; although many knives are technically dishwasher safe - don't do it.  They can get banged around and become nicked and dull prematurely.  Wood handles are especially susceptible to degradation from the rigors of a dishwasher. Hand wash your knives and place them on a towel to dry.

It's best to store your knives on a wall knife magnet or in a wooden knife block. Placing them in a drawer willy-nilly will dull the edges quickly.

​

Why should I have my knives professionally sharpened?

Most new knives will be fairly sharp when you get them home but the factory only puts a primary CuttingEdge on knives. They will dull more quickly, will not respond to steeling, and will be much harder to sharpen for the do-it-yourself sharpener.  A professional sharpener will establish a secondary bevel and then put on the primary CuttingEdge (making them easier to keep sharp with steeling).  Professional sharpening achieves a level of sharpness that is hard to reach consistently. A good sharpening that extends the life of a beloved knife is one of the best investments you can make.  Norman Weinstein, knife-skills instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, recommends using a reputable professional instead of trying to sharpen your knives at home "because the learning curve for doing it yourself is so high."  (Wall Street Journal 1-21-2010).

​​

How do Prescott Meat Co. sharpening events work?

The idea is for you to drop off your items to be sharpened then go shop, eat, visit, have fun & pick up your items later. The amount of time it takes strictly depends on the number of orders before you.

- We take orders from 10a - 2p & stay until all orders are   
  sharpened. (No early drop-offs.)

- Pay at time of drop-off.

- Plan a three hour wait time. We'll contact you when your
  order is ready for pickup.

Since we're only at PMC the first Saturday of each month, we suggest you get on our monthly mailing list. It's been the best way for people to remember when we'll be there. If you are interested in being added to our 'newsletter', simply email a request to info@cuttingedgeblades.com

​

How long does sharpening take?

Restaurants on a mobile sharpening route are serviced on-site and it only takes between 30 to 90 minutes.  We do have loaner knives available for use while yours are being lovingly sharpened.  

​​

ACE Hardware in Chino Valley or Paulden: drop-off items by Saturday at close and we'll contact you when they are ready for pickup (by Tuesday at close).

​

Prescott Meat Co. is an in-person event the third Saturday of every other month (even months) from 10a -2p. It is same day service but ask that you expect a three hour wait time.