How to Hone your Knife

Typical knives; do not hone a serrated knife.

By Craig Deppe

Knives are, by far, the most used tools in the kitchen. We rely on them to cut efficiently, cleanly and with a minimum of effort. This means that keeping them sharp is probably the most important bit of kitchen maintenance we can perform.

It may sound a little odd but keeping your knife sharp does not involve sharpening them very often. What you do need to do often (as in every time you use a knife) is hone it. This realigns the edge and keeps it cutting beautifully between actual sharpenings.

Here’s how it’s done….

Craig Deppe developed his skill and passion for all things culinary at an early age, under the guidance of his French mother. After college, he spent 15 years traveling the world as a professional sailor, sampling myriad cuisines and replicating them in many a ship’s galley. The birth of his son led Craig to forgo a seagoing career to pursue his interest in cooking and writing. He now organizes and caters culinary events in San Francisco and works as a chef’s assistant at Sur la Table.

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