Ditch The Guesswork: Sharpen Your Knives With This Affordable Amazon Find
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A dull knife blade isn't just frustrating to use, it's also dangerous. People tend to push harder to make up for it being blunt, and the knife then slips or punches through suddenly, slicing into whatever part of you is in the way. Experts say that the tool you need for ultra-sharp knives, whether in the kitchen or outdoors, is a whetstone. In experienced hands that might be true, but whetstone beginners often struggle to maintain the correct angle, which is vital for a keen edge. The Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener, available from Amazon for $9.42, solves the problem by guiding the blade accurately without any guesswork.
This outdoor sharpener is a compact device that can slip easily into a pocket or pack. To use, you simply grip the side, position the knife in the angled groove, and pull it toward you. On one end are tungsten carbide blades, and on the other are ceramic rods. Together, they provide both sharpening and honing for your knives, resulting in a razor-sharp edge in just a few strokes and very little effort. You can use it freehand or on a flat surface where the non-slip rubber feet will help keep it steady. The plastic casing offers protection if it gets dropped, and the bright yellow color will help you find it among leaf litter or long grass. It also floats.
You can use it in the kitchen as well, although it can't do everything
Although it's sold as an outdoor tool, the Smith's CCKS Knife Sharpener is equally useful in the home. While some kitchen gadgets are a waste of money, the preset angles on this one make it a virtually foolproof way to sharpen butcher's, chef's, carving, and paring knives, etc. However, it doesn't work with the serrated blades of some bread and steak knives, and cleavers may be too broad.
Over 17,000 Amazon customers give the Smith's sharpener an average of 4.5 stars, many focusing on its ease of use and value. "I'm sold on the consistent angles and consistent quality," said one Amazon commenter. Its versatility is underlined by numerous instances of people saying they use it to sharpen both pocket knives and kitchen knives. Complaints are rare, but a handful of buyers felt it wasn't effective, which is a little strange given the overwhelming number of positive reviews.
The Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener is small enough to keep anywhere and cheap enough to be able to afford one for your camping or hunting gear, one for the kitchen, and maybe one for out by the barbecue. If you're an expert, a whetstone may be the best way to sharpen knives. For the rest of us, the Smith's sharpener is probably quicker and more convenient.