When you think of things you "need" to be a better cook, fancy gadgets like air fryers or sous vide machines may come to mind. But most great chefs will tell you that the most important tool you can have in the kitchen is a sharp knife. Sharp knives are actually safer than dull ones—you'll have more control over a sharp knife while slicing and dicing your food (you have to press harder to use dull blades and they can slip, causing you to cut or injure yourself).
According to Wüsthof, you should really be sharpening your knives once or twice a year and honing them frequently (even after each use) to keep them in tip-top shape. Sharpening your knives at home doesn't have to be a scary undertaking—just grab a knife sharpener (this one is only $20 at Sur La Table) and get to work.
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To buy: Zwilling J.A. Henckles 2-Stage Knife Sharpener, $19.95; surlatable.com
This knife sharpener from J.A. Henckels can easily sharpen any Western-style blade (if you use Japanese knives, opt for a whetstone like this one from Sur La Table). Just pull your knife through the ceramic rods to sharpen your cutlery (the sharpener comes with both coarse and fine grits). The best part? There's a safety grip to keep hands away from blades and a nonslip bottom to keep the sharpener stable on your counter.
The bottom line: You need a really good knife sharpener ASAP. And while you can't put a price on kitchen safety, we think $20 is a pretty great deal!
Want an even better deal? Subscribe to the Cooking Light Diet and start receiving customizable meal plans for less than $7 a month!
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