How to Use a Knife Sharpener: 12 Steps (with Pictures)

Before you sharpen a knife with a manual sharpener, try holding up a folded sheet of paper and slicing down through it with the knife. If the knife can’t cut through the paper without stopping, insert it into the “coarse” slot on a manual sharpener. Pull the blade of the knife through the slot 3 to 6 times, following the contour of the blade and moving from base to tip. Next, pull the knife through the “fine” slot once or twice to refine the edge. When you’re done, rinse the knife and dry it with a clean towel before putting it away. For more tips, including how to sharpen knives with an electric sharpener or a whetstone, keep reading!