User Instructions and FAQs
User Instructions:
How do I detach sharpening discs?
How do I clean the sharpening discs?
Detach the sharpening disc as shown in the video above and wash with dish soap and water. Dry the disc completely before reinstalling.
How do I sharpen knives that are higher than the rolling knife sharpener?
How to use HONE Leather Strop?
How to use HONE Vertical Strop?
How to use HONE Fillet Knife Holder?
Why Your Knife Gets Sharper Over Time?
The 3-2-1 Method to Align Knife Apex in the Middle
Tips Sheet: HONE Knife Sharpener
Understanding Sharpening Angles:
- Most household knives are sharpened at a 20-degree angle. While any knife can be sharpened at any angle, knives made with ordinary steel won't retain sharpness at a sharper angle like 15 degrees.
- Damascus and Japanese knives are typically sharpened at 15 degrees. These knives can maintain sharpness longer due to the high-quality steel used in their construction.
Consistency in Sharpening Angle:
- Always use the same sharpening angle unless you intend to reprofile the knife to a different angle.
Using the Discs Properly:
- Initial Sharpening Process: Use Disc 1 (#400), Disc 2 (#1000), and the #3000 Ceramic Disc in sequence.
- Maintenance Sharpening: After the initial process, only use the #3000 Ceramic Disc for maintaining the knife edge, with occasional use of Disc 2 (#1000).
Final Sharpening Steps:
- Finish the sharpening process with five passes on each side of the knife using #3000 Ceramic Disc. If you have not purchased the #3000 Ceramic Disc, you can use Disc 2 (#1000) instead.
- This step is crucial because it aligns the knife edge centrally, ensuring it cuts very sharply. Without proper alignment, even a sharp edge can feel dull.
Popular Choices:
- The #3000 Ceramic Disc is favored by customers for polishing and maintaining a sharp knife edge.
Extra Sharpness:
- Use the HONE Leather Strop at the end for additional sharpness.
Re-profiling Damaged Knives:
- If your knife is in poor condition and requires edge reprofiling, use our #200 Disc to remove the damaged part and restore the edge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does the sharpening disc last?
It's typical for diamond sharpening discs to feel smoother after initial use as they undergo a break-in period. Subsequently, they stabilize to the actual grit size. For more information about the break-in period, please visit the following websites.
Diamond is among the hardest materials known to man and is considered to be the most durable sharpening material for high-quality kitchen knives.
Although the diamond sharpening discs don't need to be replaced with proper use, our innovative design allows for the replacement of the diamond discs instead of having to purchase a new sharpener.
It is unlikely that you will have to purchase new sharpening discs since our product includes two-sided diamond discs. By merely flipping the disc, you can continue using it for years.
How do I sharpen knives with the HONE Knife Sharpener?
The HONE Knife Sharpener provides a smart and intuitive way to quickly sharpen knives. Simply attach any metal knife to the magnetic knife holder and use the rolling knife sharpener to glide it along the edge of the blade for sharpening any household or kitchen knife efficiently.
How should I maintain my knife after the initial sharpening?
After your initial sharpening with HONE Knife Sharpener using the #400 and #1000 diamond discs which creates a clean, even edge; you can maintain that sharpness easily. For regular upkeep, use the #3000 ceramic disc, and occasionally re-use the #1000 diamond disc when needed.
Always finish with the #3000 ceramic disc for that razor-sharp result.
You’ll notice your knives stay sharper, and even get sharper over time with HONE Knife Sharpener. That’s because every sharpening uses the same consistent angle, so the edge becomes more precise and uniform with each pass. A stable angle equals a steadily improving edge.
Can I sharpen any knife?
The HONE Knife Sharpener is compatible with a wide range of knives, such as kitchen knives, cleavers, most hunting knives with a smooth edge, and folding knives with a smooth edge. However, it is not suitable for sharpening bread knives or scissors.
Can I sharpen ceramic knives?
Since ceramic is not magnetic, knives with ceramic blades cannot be attached to the magnetic knife holder, making the HONE Knife Sharpener unsuitable for sharpening ceramic knives.
Can I sharpen Damascus knives?
When it comes to resharpening Damascus steel knives, the high hardness of the blades can pose a challenge. However, with the high-efficiency diamond discs, which are harder than Damascus steel, even these exquisite knives can be effectively sharpened.
Additionally, the HONE Knife Sharpener’s constant angle of 15 or 20 degrees ensures that only the cutting edge is sharpened, preventing any damage to the expensive blade.
Can I sharpen my one-sided ground Japanese knife?
Indeed, it is possible to sharpen Japanese knives using the HONE Knife Sharpener. These knives are often sharpened on one side. The magnetic knife holder, which allows for both 15 degree and 20 degree sharpening angles, can be used for sharpening of only one side if desired.
How do I sharpen knives that are taller than the sharpening disc?
When sharpening taller knives, such as a large Chinese chef's knife, the rolling knife sharpener can be placed on top of a cutting board to elevate the grinder to the level of the cutting edge.
How long do I have to sharpen before my knife is sharp?
The initial step is to sharpen the knife at a constant angle of 15 or 20 degrees, which may take 2 to 6 minutes for most knives. It's worth noting that the factory-set angle on knives is not always consistent.
For special blades like those made of Damascus steel with high hardness, the initial sharpening process may take up to 10 minutes. After the first use, subsequent sharpening only requires a few back and forth movements with the fine diamond disc as the grinding angle has already been established during the first re-sharpening.
What is the difference between the 15° and 20° degree sharpening angle?
When considering altering the angle of your knives, it's important to keep in mind that Western knives are typically made with a softer steel that can't hold a narrow 15-degree angle for long due to the high-impact cutting style used in the West. As a result, changing the angle from 20 degrees to 15 will require more frequent sharpening.
In contrast, Japanese and Damascus knives are made from a harder, more brittle steel that can hold a narrower edge for longer. However, it's important to note that altering the angle of your knives will inevitably result in the removal of a significant amount of metal over time.
What is the grit size of the two diamond plated discs?
The side labeled with the number sign 1 has a grit size of #400, while the other side labeled with the number sign 2 has a grit size of #1000.
The Side 1 is used for initial grinding of the knife with a relatively coarse grit size, and the Side 2 is used for honing the knife with a finer grit size as the second step.
Is the HONE Knife Sharpener suitable for sharpening serrated knives, e.g. bread knives?
The HONE Knife Sharpener is not suitable for sharpening serrated knives. The serrated edges of bread knives can be damaged during the sharpening process, and the diamond sharpening disc wheel may also get damaged.