The spring is here, which means it’s a great time to refresh all aspects of your lifestyle, including your kitchen. Laguiole’s knives should be given special attention. These knives are not only useful but can also be a focal point in any home. For your knives to stay as sharp and as effective as the first time you used them, they must be maintained and sharpened properly. This guide will explain how to sharpen laguiole knives for spring.
The Tools You Need For Sharpening
You’ll also need the proper tools. Here are some essential items.
- Stone Sharpener: A sharpening rock of high quality is essential in maintaining your knife. Find a stone that has coarse and/or fine grits to suit different stages of the sharpening process.
- Honing Steel: A honing blade is used for re-aligning the knife’s edges, ensuring that they remain straight and precise between sharpening.
How To Sharpen Laguiole Knives: Step-By-Step Guide
- Prepare Your Sharpening Stone
Start by preparing your stone. If you have a sharpening stone made of water, soak the stone in water for 10 to 15 minutes until bubbles stop appearing. This ensures your stone is adequately greased and will prevent metal particles from blocking the surface. You can use an oil stone by applying a few droplets of sharpening lubricant to the surface.
- Determine The Correct Angle
Laguiole knives have a very fine, sharp edge. It is important to maintain this angle while sharpening. The angle at which to sharpen knives should be between 15 and 20 degrees. When you hold your knife at this angle, it will maintain its sharpness and durability.
- Sharpening Blade
Start with the coarse grit of the sharpening stones. Place the blade at the correct angle. Gently draw the knife along the stone from the heel up to the point. Use light, even pressure, to apply smooth, consistent strokes. Repeat the same process on one blade side for about 10 to 15 times before switching sides.
After using the coarser grit, turn the stone on its side. Repeat the process concentrating this time on refining edge. The finer grits will smoothen out any rough edges left by the coarser ones and polish the knife to a razor sharp edge.
- Honing Knife
Once the knife has been sharpened on the stones, you can now hone it. The blade’s edges are realigned during hone, which is important because they can bend when in use. To sharpen your knife, place the blade vertically in the honing wheel with the point on a solid surface. Position the blade with a 15-20° angle against the steel. Drag the blade all the way down the steel. Repeat the same process on both sides of the blade.
Maintaining the sharpness of Laguiole knives requires regular honing, even if you don’t sharpen them.
- Stropping In Order To Achieve A Razor-Sharp Edge
The blade can be sharpened even further by stropping it against a leather strop. This step is optional but recommended to obtain a razor-sharp edge. You can do this by drawing the knife blade over the leather strop and alternating sides. This final polish eliminates any microbursts remaining after sharpening or honing.
Laguiole Knives: After Sharpening, How To Take Care Of Them?
Maintaining the edge of your knives and their overall condition is important after sharpening. Here are a couple of tips.
- Wash Knives Only: Hand wash your knives and then dry them. Avoid putting knives into the dishwasher. The harsh detergents, as well as high temperatures, can damage blades and handles.
- How to Store Knives: Use a knife block. You can also store your knives on magnetic strips or in protective sheaths. Avoid storing the knives loosely, as this could dull the blades or increase the risk of accidents.
- Regular Cleaning: Maintain your knives’ edges by regularly honing them. You may need to sharpen them more often if you are using them frequently.
Conclusion
Sharpening Laguiole blades for spring involves more than maintaining their performance. It also means preserving both the craftsmanship and the beauty for which these knives are renowned. If you follow these steps and incorporate regular maintenance into your daily routine, your knives will remain sharp, efficient, and prepared for your culinary endeavors. When you are preparing for the next season, be sure to take good care of all your tools. Remember that a sharpened knife will help you achieve precision and excellence in cooking.
