Our Sharpening Services

Some Advice On Keeping Sharp Edges

Keep a sharp edge on a knife: good ones are not inexpensive so they’re well worth the effort

Cut On The Right Medium

The surfaces that you choose to use for cutting directly affect the condition of your knives. You want to avoid hard or metal surfaces, such as stainless steel, granite and aluminium. On the other hand, cutting on wood, plastic or polyethylene is usually just fine. You are likely to be safe as long as you are using a cutting board made out of the proper materials.

Wash Knives by Hand

Many people put their sharp knives in the dishwasher without a second thought. While this might seem like a great way to get your knives properly clean, the barrage of heat, water and detergent across your blades dulls them quickly. Instead, take the time to thoroughly wash your knives by hand. Although it is good practice to sharpen your knives before each and every use, washing them by hand should help them to retain a sharper edge for longer periods of time.

Store Your Knives Properly

In addition to throwing knives in the dishwasher, some homeowners also put their good knives in with many other kitchen utensils in the ‘knife drawer” But it’s best if your knives have a dedicated storage spot all to themselves. You can dedicate a whole drawer just to your knives. Wooden blocks or knife inserts for drawers are a good investment being ideal for storage. Many private and commercial kitchens use a magnetic wall mounted strip so that their knives are available for quick access with almost zero chance of edge damage. A magnetic system is not really ideal for homes with little children or pets.

Taking Care of Your Knives

When you take the time to take care of your knives, then you are less likely to run into problems, such as when ingredients tear when you are trying to slice them. Knives are a very important part of food preparation . Like any other tool that you use around your home, you need to make sure they are in good condition so as to produce the results you seek. Keep your knives sharp, store them properly and use them on the appropriate surfaces, they will serve you for much longer. It is good practice after we have sharpened your knife, rinse it with water (stay away from that edge - use a brush) and dry it with a soft towel, this to remove any excess metal shavings that we may have missed.
Enjoy the new sharpness of your blades and experience the results in easier preparation.

Scissors

The only way to help your scissors keep their edge is to clean them after use.
Cutting aluminium foil will not sharpen them, adjusting the screw ever more tightly may well hasten their eventual demise.
Never sharpen them from the inner faces, that will turn them into so much scrap metal.
If your scissors are quality take them to a professional sharpener, if you are skilful with a abrasive stone you may get a slight improvement, but it has damage risks.
If you use scissors in your work it’s best to go to a pro to get them sharpened 

Hedge Shears

Clean after use - each and every time, spray with GT85 / WD 40 or similar before storage, when the edge gone off take the machine to a pro sharpener such as ourselves,  who for a few pounds you will give you a real ground edge at the right cutting angle.  Always lubrcate your blades frequently when in use. The best lubrication for tha machine is chain oil as used in a chainsaw, this is very “sticky" so will not get fling off the blades and importantly it is bio degradable, much better than any other form of lubrication for these machines.