What knives don't need sharpening?

Author: Prof. Linda Lowe  |  Last update: Saturday, April 12, 2025

All metal knives will need sharpened periodically. Ceramic knives are usually never sharpened.

Is there a knife that never needs sharpening?

Ceramic Knives

Their edge can hold for virtually an infinite amount of time — given proper treatment, never rusts and remains stain-resistant.

Do all knives need to be sharpened?

Every blade must therefore be sharpened.

The ability to keep an edge depends on the choice and treatment of the material a blade is made of. Naturally, we can do our own part by taking care of and maintaining the blade and using correct cutting and chopping techniques.

Is there a kitchen knife that stays sharp?

Carbon steel is harder than most stainless steel, which allows carbon knives to get—and stay—super sharp.

Are there self-sharpening knives?

HENCKELS Modernist Razor-Sharp 7-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Set, Chef Knife, Paring Knife, Utility Knife, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.

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What types of knives Cannot be sharpened?

While most cheap serrated knives can be sharpened and made to be as sharp as more expensive serrated knives, micro serrated knives cannot be sharpened. These are recognised by the sharp jagged cutting edge.

Do self-sharpening blades really work?

Self-sharpening blades will also automatically fix any chips or nicks that may occur in the blade edge. This will give you a consistent clean cut, every time, and when working with important prints, this is a big deal. Here are some of the benefits self-sharpening rotary blades offer over non self-sharpening blades…

What knife does Gordon Ramsay use?

Gordon Ramsay

Ramsay likes Henckels knives. This is a German brand known for their toughness and bulky blades.

How do chefs keep their knives sharp?

By honing the blade with a honing rod, chefs realign the edge, ensuring optimal performance. When the knife begins to feel dull and honing no longer restores its sharpness, it's time for sharpening using a whetstone or other suitable sharpening tool.

What is the sharpest knife to ever exist?

Knives with an Obsidian blade are considered the sharpest in the world, but this material is not fit for making kitchen knives as they're extremely coarse and brittle.

What type of knife must not be sharpened using a steel?

We do not recommend using sharpening or honing steels on Japanese knives. That's because Japanese knives are made from very hard steel — alongside the tapered V shape, this harder steel contributes to the effortless feel of Japanese knives.

Can you ruin a knife by sharpening it too much?

It's crucial not to sharpen your knife too frequently or apply excessive pressure, as this can cause the blade to become thin and brittle.

Do expensive knives need sharpening?

While expensive knives might stay sharp longer and feel more nicely balanced in your hand, the real key to having a sharp knife is to sharpen it when needed.

Does rice really sharpen knives?

The rice will also help soak up any residual moisture on your knives, which will prevent the accumulation of mold and rust. For additional sharpening, you can repeatedly thrust the blades in and out of the rice, which will both hone and improve them.

Do they still make Ginsu knives?

In 2022 Ginsu expanded beyond knives and launched a Kamado grill in a partnership with MyDIY Center. In 2023, Ginsu knives were still manufactured and sold by Douglas Quikut and the Quikut brand is sometimes used as well. The company also manufactures ReadiVac and American Angler brands.

Do knife sharpeners ruin knives?

Electric pull through sharpeners remove way too much metal and shorten the life of your knife by years. Ceramic wheel sharpeners tend to take chips and chunks out of thin Japanese blades. Because of the mechanics of use, it is impossible to apply the same amount of pressure throughout the blade.

Why do chefs tap their knives before cutting?

To test knife sharpness, chefs might gently tap the blade. A sharp knife will have a clear, crisp sound. This technique ensures the knife is perfect for cutting tasks.

What chef knife stays sharp longest?

High-quality steels—like Damascus steel or other proprietary stainless-steel alloys like Blue Super—will keep a sharp edge longer, while also being easier to get back into top shape if they become dull. Cheaper, low-alloy steel on the other hand, is more difficult to sharpen and will dull faster.

What knife does Bobby Flay recommend?

The Best Celeb Chef's Knife: Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife. The knife that topped our testing is Bobby Flay's favorite, the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife. The heft and comfort of the handle, sharpness of the blade, and overall balanced proportions made it stand out against the others.

Are Wüsthof knives better than Henckels?

Henckels typically get a score of 56-57 on the scale and Wüsthof gets a 58, so technically Wüsthof is a slightly harder steel. This is good because it means Wüsthof knives vs. Henckels will hold their sharpened edge better. On the flip side, a softer Rockwell score means a knife is easier to sharpen.

What knife did Anthony Bourdain use?

That's how I landed on this golden oldie on Reddit: Anthony Bourdain talking about and using his favorite knife, the Global G-2 Chef's Knife.

What is the best tool for sharpening knives at home?

Straight to the Point

The SHAPTON Ha No Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone Set was the clear whetstone winner. It's an easy-to-use, two-stone set that quickly sharpens carbon and stainless steel knives. If you must use an electric knife sharpener, I recommend the Work Sharp Ken Onion Knife Edition Sharpener.

Should you push or pull a blade when sharpening?

Most pros would agree that pulling the blade edge across the whetstone produces the best results. Not only will it bring the knife to its sharpest but it's also a much more effective way to remove chips and imperfections from the blade.