Quickly Sharpen Your Knives With A Compact Find From Lowe's

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to cut things with a dull knife. It makes even the simplest cutting tasks seem like a workout, and if you are not careful, it can be a safety hazard, too. Thankfully, though, there are many tools that you can use to sharpen your knives. Bench grinders, belt sanders — the list goes on. The problem, however, is that these tools need to be set up in a proper working space, and not everyone has that. Some homeowners just want something compact instead that they can keep anywhere and use to sharpen their kitchen knives quickly. That is where tools like the Work Sharp Pivot Plus knife sharpener come in.

Currently selling for about $15 at Lowe's, the sharpener is compact enough to fit in your toolbox, pocket or bag as it measures just 3½ inches wide, 1¾ inches high, and ¾ inch long. Its small size, however, does not limit it. It has three sharpening surfaces: convex carbide, ceramic hones and a tapered diamond rod. There is even a Pivot Response mechanism built into the sharpener that allows users to follow the curve of the blade and control how much metal is removed.

Buyers on Lowe's generally seem to like the Work Sharp Pivot Plus knife sharpener. Its reviews consistently note that it is good value for money, has a convenient compact size and does a good job of sharpening knives. That said, some buyers did complain about its small size and if that is a concern for you too then you might want to consider buying another tool to sharpen knives.

If you want to get the most out of the Work Sharp Pivot Plus knife sharpener, you must know when and how to use its different sharpening surfaces. Take, for instance, the convex carbide. It is designed to remove metal quickly and reshape the knife's edge and you can use it if your knife has become very dull and has lost its cutting edge. The ceramic hone, on the other hand, is used when you just want to smooth out the cutting edge and the knife is not very dull. As for the tapered diamond rod, use it when you want to sharpen a serrated knife.

Just keep in mind that regardless of which sharpening surface you use, you must avoid applying excessive force and let the sharpening surface do the job. Doing so can remove more metal than necessary. Now this might not sound like a big deal but it can reduce the lifespan of your knives and also cause damage to their cutting edges. Also, keep in mind that the Work Sharp Pivot Plus knife sharpener uses a fixed 25-degree angle and this might not be suitable for all the knives you might have. So, make sure to check the manual before your sharpen your knives.

Other than that, it is also worth noting here that some specialty knives or ceramic knives cannot be sharpened with tools like the Work Sharp Pivot Plus knife sharpener at all. It can damage them. Plus, keep in mind that not every knife is worth sharpening. For instance, if a knife is badly bent, cracked, or has suffered serious damage to its cutting edge, replacing it might be safer and better than trying to sharpen it.