Butchers select their knives and cutting tools carefully and always ensure that the sharpness holds well.
Here’s my selection for home use in the kitchen or for home butchering. Quality is paramount as a good, strong sharp knife just makes the work quicker and easier and they make outstanding gifts.
I have an article of the knives that I use and you can read about them HERE and the sharpening tools HERE.
My selections are from Amazon and if you are unable to purchase through Amazon you can find similar on eBay.
Victorinox Swiss Army Field Dressing Kit 7 PC Set
$99.49 + free shipping at time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Victorinox Forschner Swiss Classic 14-piece Walnut Swivel Knife Block Set
$189.95 + free shipping at time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Dexter i-Cut? Stainless Steel 8 Piece Cutlery Set
$154.90 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
The Dexter Russell 3 Piece Knife Combo Set – Cutlery Butcher Chef Set
$154.90 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Ontario Knife Co. 5-Piece Old Hickory Knife Set 705 (Wooden Handle Stylish Set)
$55.95 + free shipping at time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Outdoor Edge The Outfitter Hunting Knife Set
$78.95 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Outdoor Edge Butcher-Lite Cutting Kit
$45.98 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Dexter-Russell Heavy Duty Cleaver, 8-inch, Stainless Steel
$82.68 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Classy Steak Knife Sets always make perfect gifts…
Victorinox 4-3/4-Inch Straight-Edge Pointed-Tip Steak Knife, Set of 6, Rosewood Handles
$136.79 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
Wusthof 8-Piece Stainless-Steel Steak Knife Set with Wooden Gift Box
$79.95 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
HornTide 3000/8000 Grit Combination Whetstone Two-Sided Knife Sharpener 7-Inch Sharpening Stone Plastic Stand Included
$25.99 + free shippingat time of my article, check Amazon for changes.
How to “Steel” a Knife
Hold the steel firmly in your left hand with the guard positioned to stop the blade should it slip.- Hold the knife in your right hand and place on top part of steel as shown.
- Raise back of blade one-eighth inch.
- Now, moving the blade only, draw it across the steel in an arching curve, pivoted at your wrist.
- The blade tip should leave the steel about two-thirds of the way down.
- Repeat the same action with the Blade on the bottom side of the steel.
- Always maintain the same pressure and angle on both sides of the steel.
- Repeat five or six times.
When a sharpening steel no longer does the job, it’s time to give the knife a rub on the sharpening stone. This, along with using the sharpening steel, will give you many years of sharp, safe blades.
How to Sharpen a Knife on a Stone
- Soak your whetstone for 10-15 minutes before use, then place in the stand tray to allow excess water to drain away.
- Use the first coarse side of the stone to remove any defects, chips from the blade and restore the edge.
- Make sure you use a slight angled edge so you don’t produce a shoulder on the blade. Try to keep a steady hand and angle.
- Run the knife back and forwards making sure to cover the whole blade evenly until the blade feels sharper when started. Turn over frequently. The edge will feel a little rough and that is fine. Move to next step.
- Turn the stone over to use the fine grade side and repeat as above. The fine grade side adds brilliant polish and precisely hones the knife to give an edge and super sharp finish.
- Add just enough pressure with your fingers so the blade slides easily and smoothly.
- Repeat the same action a few times and to check if the knife is sharp, try to run the blade through some paper on an angle or try to shave hairs from your arm. Thoroughly wash knife with detergent and hot water to remove any stone filings.
I hope you are able to find the right gift with my selected choices. Any of these picks of mine will surely make any recipient happy and give them years of good use within their kitchen or back yard butchering.
If you are looking for other gift ideas just head back to MAIN MENU Category and browse through there.
Thanks…John