With many years of experience as a content and copywriter for her family business Urban Media Publishing, Gemma has written articles and blogs on travel, the outdoor industry, parenting and finance. A knife is arguably the most important tool in the kitchen, but it's essential that the blade is sharp. When blunt, you have less control and are more likely to see the knife slide off the food, thereby making cooking a more hazardous process.

Answer: I would not use this to sharpen the following knives: ceramic, serrated and single sided blades (like sushi blades). I would also refrain from using this to work on any tools (scissors and shears). Waterstones come with different grit counts, indicating the level of coarseness. Around 1,000 grits (measured by number of grits per unit) is ideal for sharpening a knife blade. You can then use a finer stone – 6,000 grit, say – to get a nice polished finished, though this isn't strictly necessary. A larger version of the original minosharp water sharpener. It is suitable for both European and Japanese style knives, so long as they have a straight edge. Not suitable for serrated knives or for knives which are sharpened on one side only.This depends on how often you use them and the style of cooking you’re doing. Ideally, it would be best if you honed the blade of your knife after every use, as this will mean you won’t have to sharpen it more than once or twice a year. What are the different types of knife sharpener? V-sharpeners If ease of use is your primary consideration, one of these hand held sharpeners is the perfect sharpening tool for you. There are three different models, the MinoSharp, the MinoSharp Plus and the MinoSharp 3. All models can only be used for knives that are equally sharpened on both sides. They cannot be used for serrated knives or knives sharpened on one side like the Bunmei knives. All of the MinoSharps use ceramic wheels for sharpening. The MinoSharp Shinkansen Knife Sharpener was designed specifically to work with high-end Global knives. The water sharpener method is effective and powerful without the risk of cutlery damage, which is especially important when you're working with pricey knives.

A very efficient ceramic roller knife sharpener from Japan. It includes medium and coarse rollers and a water bath system. The design, which is based on the Japanese bullet train, includes a very comfortable handle. It is important to note that there are three models of this knife sharpener. The SH220 Minosharp is only suitable for Global knives. These guide rails are designed to help maintain the correct angle for sharpening knives when sharpening with a whetstone. The angle is between 10 and 15 degrees. This great value set includes a sharpening stone, a polishing stone, a sturdy bamboo stand, an angle guide and a leather strop — basically, everything you need to learn this ancient process. Reviewers report that using these stones is complicated but deeply satisfying. Transparency is really important to us, and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones our users recommend to their friends and family.A good knife sharpener will bring out the best in your knives and help you create delicious meals for your family effortlessly. It should be sturdy, offer excellent value for money and create a razor-sharp edge in moments. Gemma is a mum of two grown-up children, has two dogs and a tortoise. Alongside her writing, she spent many years as a home and travel expert and breastfeeding counsellor at a leading nursery retailer. Gemma is also a sensory analyst (chocolate taster!). Sharpening or honing?: Sharpening | Holding method: Handheld and non-slip base | Type: Manual What we like This stylish sharpener is small, so it is easy to store, and it looks and feels as though it has been expertly constructed and will last for years. Why, then, do so many of us shy away from the task? To put it bluntly, it's because it's a rather daunting process for the beginner. Your image of knife sharpening may consist of a hyper-masculine chef slashing away violently at a steel rod ( we're looking at you, Gordon). Conversely, you might have seen cooks meticulously and methodically stroking their blade up and down a Japanese waterstone with more intricate attention to detail than a Flemish landscape painting.