How to Use a Wusthof Knife Sharpener in 2023

Wusthof knife sharpeners are renowned for their high-quality craftsmanship. These sharpeners help you keep the kitchen knife up to any task. Moreover, your knives are well-maintained when you use them. But the crucial thing is you will need to know how to use a Wusthof knife sharpener to keep your knife in tip-top shape.

Different knife sharpeners are available in the market made by Wusthof, including whetstone, steel honing rod, handheld or manual and electric knife sharpeners. Each type has a different using procedure. 

Keep reading to learn more about what is the correct way to use a Wusthof knife sharpener.

What are the Types of Wusthof Knife Sharpeners?

You can sharpen a knife using 3 different types of Wusthof sharpeners. Let’s dive deep into these most common types.

Wusthof Whetstone

Whetstone is a traditional, gentler, and popular way of sharpening Wusthof knives. The word “whet” is pretty similar to the way we say “wet”, which refers to friction or grinding.

Wusthof whetstones have 2 sides: finer and coarser. If you require to hone a knife, use the finer grit. Whereas coarse grit is suitable for sharpening. Lubricants like water and oil are necessary while sharpening a pocket knife with a whetstone. Otherwise, proper sharpening will be quite impossible.

Generally, ceramic is used to make Wusthof whetstone sharpeners. Also, some whetstones are diamond-coated. These whetstones require less or no lubrication. But they need to be soaked in hot water after using them. Other Wusthof whetstone types need lubrication before proceeding to the sharpening process.

Wusthof Sharpening Rod

Wusthof sharpening rods are made of different metals like steel, ceramic, etc. Some are diamond-coated, facilitating the sharpening process.

Honing or sharpening rods remove burs, nicks and chips from the blade’s edge. It means they don’t usually sharpen a dull knife but realign the edge.

Wusthof Knife Sharpener

Wusthof knife sharpeners are in 2 types: manual and electric. They have zero learning curve and require minimal effort to use.

Most of these devices come with incorporated guides, allowing you to adjust the knife angle immediately.

How to Use a Wusthof Knife Sharpener

If you buy a Wusthof knife, you will also have to buy a Wusthof knife sharpener. Are you wondering what the importance of a knife sharpener is? A sharpener will come in handy when you need precision cuts from a sharp knife.  

How to Use a Wusthof Whetstone for Knife Sharpening

Sharpening with a whetstone is a simple task. Here is what you need to do.

Step #01: Soak the Whetstone

Completely sink the whetstone into a bow of water roughly for 15 – 20 minutes. Check whether air bubbles are floating anymore after the required time. If not, be sure that the whetstone absorbs enough water.

Take the whetstone out. Then place it on a sturdy and even surface. The coarse grit should be faced up.

Step #02: Start Sharpening at the Correct Angle

Move the blade from tip to toe several times, maintaining the correct bevel angle. Pour a few drops of water over the whetstone when sharpening.

Small particles can make the sharpening process ineffective if you don’t do so. Repeat the same process on the other sides of the blade.

Step #03: Rinse the Knife

Finally, flip the stone to its finer side. Follow the same process that you did on the coarser side. Nicks and chips will be removed by doing so. Complete the sharpening process by rinsing the knife under running water. Then, clean and dry the blade with a clean kitchen towel.

How to Use Wusthof Sharpening Steel

In order to keep your knife sharp, the Wusthof sharpening rod is worth the price. Carefully follow the below steps.

Step #01: Buy the Right Sharpening Steel

You can’t buy any sharpening steel to sharpen your knife. Buy one that has the same length or longer compared to the blade.

Then, hold the rod facing down with your non-dominant hand. Make sure to rest it on a solid surface. With your other hand, grab the knife and position it against the rod at the right bevel angle. If unsure of the angle, consult the knife manufacturer or read the user manual.

Step #02: Sharpen the Knife

Gently rub the blade to the rod. The sharpening rod is faster, and 3-4 repetitions are enough for one side. Do the same thing to the other side. This will ensure even sharpening.

Then wash the knife with running water. Excess steel and small particles will be removed.

How to Use Wusthof Modern Knife Sharpener

Wusthof modern knife sharpeners can be manual or electric. These are innovatively designed and handy devices letting you sharpen efficiently.

Step #01: Place the Knife on the Sharpener’s Counter

Start with placing the sharpener on a solid and stable surface. Maintain a comfortable sharpening angle. For instance, if you position the sharpener horizontally, moving the knife straight back will be more comfortable.

Moreover, don’t use the device in midair. Safety and stability are ensured by placing the sharpener on a counter. In addition, controlling the angle becomes convenient.

Step #02: Use Your Dominant Hand to Hold the Knife

Although Wusthof knife sharpeners are extremely easy to use. At the same time, ultimate safety needs to be ensured. For this, grab the knife confidently by using your dominant hand. While your non-dominant hand should be holding the sharpener’s handle.

In fact, hold the knife in such a way that you are cutting through the sharpener.

Step #03: Align the Sharpener Blades and Knife

Now proper positioning of the knife is the key.

Wusthof sharpeners are designed with 2 blades intersecting to create a valley. Rest the knife into the valley in a straight position. If the blade is not straight enough or you position it at the wrong angle, you will end with an improper sharpening result.

Step #04: Drag the Knife Through the Sharpeners

Once the knife is properly aligned with the sharpener, you are ready to go. Remember the following instructions,

• Start sharpening, providing little pressure
• Sharpen following a single direction

The knife’s edge will be damaged if you sharpen the knife sawing back and forth. Drag the blade through the sharpener from top to toe.

Step #05: Repeat the Process to Get the Expected Sharpness

You will have to slide the knife between the valley of the sharpener to get the required sharpness. Three to four swipes are enough to make your knife well-sharpened. However, more swipes may be required based on the dullness of the blade.

Can I Use a Wusthof Knife Sharpener to Sharpen Other Knives?

Yes, Wusthof knife sharpeners are compatible with other knives. However, it will be a wise decision to use Henckels knives or Wusthof knives for sharpening. Don’t forget to maintain the below caution.

• The knife’s steel has to be softer than the sharpener’s steel blade. As long as you ensure this, using a Wusthof knife sharpener to sharpen other knives will be no issue.

What if I don’t know the hardness of my knife? Using a knife sharpener of the same brand is the safest option. In ensuring so, you know the knife blade will be adequately maintained.

FAQs on How to Use a Wusthof Knife Sharpener

Last Words

A dull knife won’t do any good when you need it most in the kitchen. Wusthof manufactures several sharpeners to meet a chef’s requirement. Whether you enjoy using the honing rod, stone, or modern knife sharpeners, you will always be satisfied with the performance.

Sharpening and maintaining the blade will be a breeze when you know how to use a Wusthof knife sharpener. Every kitchen knife, bread knife and cleaver must be maintained for the best cutting result.