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Properly sharpened kitchen knives are as essential to cooking as the ingredients themselves. Dull kitchen knives are not only ineffective; they are also more dangerous as they are prone to slipping and causing cuts during use. While most home cooks may attempt to sharpen their knives with the honing steel that comes with a basic knife block set, the steel only helps to maintain a sharp edge and won’t actually sharpen a dull one. Sharpening correctly involves using a sharpening stone while understanding the proper technique and angle that your knife needs to achieve the sharpest edge.
While it is possible to do this at home, some self-education is involved in making sure it is done correctly, plus the time and labor required to sharpen all your kitchen knives regularly. Luckily, there are various knife sharpening services, both in-store and remote, that can handle this task. We did the work for you and chose the best knife sharpening services around the country to make sure you are never stuck chopping with a dull knife again.
Best Knife Sharpening Services of 2023
- Best Overall: Carisolo Grinding
- Best Value: Sur La Table
- Best Knife Subscription Service: Togu Knives
- Best for Professional Chefs: Korin
- Best for Mobile Service: National Sharpening Co.
- Best for Loaner Knives: KnifeFlight
Best Overall : Carisolo Grinding
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Carisolo Grinding
- Price: $14.40 per knife; discounts for multiple at a time
- Types of Knives Serviced: All kitchen knives
- Mail-In Service Offered: Yes
Midwest-based Carisolo Grinding has been in the knife sharpening business for four generations.
Long company history
Hand sharpening
Pricing discounts on larger orders
Packaging and shipping cost included
No prorated pricing
Founded by a family of knife grinders and now run by the fourth generation, Carisolo Grinding is based in Wisconsin. It provides both regional delivery and a mail-in sharpening service nationwide.
All knives are hand-edged on a water-cooled grindstone by a master grinder and then buffed and honed. Any necessary repairs such as broken tips or chips can also be repaired. In addition to both double- and single-beveled knives, Carisolo can also repair machine blades (i.e. food processor blades).
Pricing is tiered based on the number of knives, starting at $72 for up to five knives and going up to $180 for 17 to 20 knives. All shipping costs are included in the pricing.
Customers are asked to select a box size corresponding to the number of knives they plan to send in; Carisolo Grinding will then ship out the box with a return label. Then, customers will send in their knives for sharpening via the U.S. Postal Service.
Carisolo Grinding goes beyond sharpening services; the company also offers a cutlery rental program for professional kitchens and maintains a sister company, Post Knife, a sharp knife subscription service.
Best Value : Sur La Table
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Sur La Table
- Price: $5 per knife
- Types of Knives Serviced: Western + Japanese (no serrated or ceramic)
- Mail-In Service Offered: No
Sur La Table offers knife sharpening at its retail stores nationwide at a great price.
Low fee per knife
Quick turnaround
Sharpens both Western and Japanese styles
Machine sharpened
No mail-in service
National kitchenware chain Sur La Table offers in-store knife sharpening services at its retail locations across the country.
Sur La Table was founded during the 1970s, with its first store opening at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Besides kitchen tools, cooking equipment, and serving ware, retail stores typically offer a full calendar of cooking classes.
At just $5 per knife, Sur La Table will sharpen any standard kitchen knife, including Western and Japanese styles. Note: Ceramic serrated knives and scissors are not accepted.
Best Knife Subscription Service : Togu Knives
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Togu Knives
- Price: $24 per month
- Types of Knives Serviced: Santoku + Paring (no personal knives)
- Mail-In Service Offered: Yes
Togu Knives is a unique knife subscription service that sends customers newly sharpened knives every two months.
Seamless exchange process
Low monthly cost
High-quality, durable knives
Meticulous hand-sharpening
Only offers two styles of knives
Knives shared between customers
Many of us are familiar with home subscriptions for food products, but what about kitchen tools? Founded in 2018, Togu Knives has introduced a fresh new subscription concept for home cooks, guaranteeing they will never find themselves without a sharp knife.
For $24 per month, you will receive a freshly sharpened pair of knives—a 7-inch Santoku-style, all-purpose, double-beveled knife and a small, 3.5-inch paring knife. A new shipment (containing a Santoku and paring knife) will arrive in eight weeks, and you will return the used set. You could also choose to pay $16 per month to keep the knives for 12 weeks or $12 per month to keep the knives for 16 weeks, which will be replaced after that duration.
This cycle continues throughout your subscription period. Note: Knives can be returned earlier if they seem dull before the next scheduled shipment, but this scenario is unlikely.
Once an order is placed, Togu will ship the first pair of knives to arrive within three to five days. All shipping is free, and each replacement pair comes with a prepaid shipping label and packaging for easy returns. Togu’s knives are made from durable VG-10 steel (the gold standard when it comes to kitchen knives), making it easy to get a fine edge that lasts longer.
After each used knife set is returned, it is refinished, sharpened, cleaned, and sanitized before being sent off to another customer. All sharpening is done by hand on ceramic whetstones, a labor-intensive but precise process.
Best for Professional Chefs : Korin
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Korin
- Price: $25 per knife
- Types of Knives Serviced: Double-edged Western Style
- Mail-In Service Offered: Yes
Korin has a long-standing reputation for its master knife sharpeners who meticulously sharpen and repair knives by hand.
Open since 1982
Sharpens using traditional stone method
Easy online ordering form
Packaging and postage for shipping not provided
No tiered pricing
A favorite go-to retailer among professional chefs, Korin Japanese Trading, specializes in Japanese knives, kitchen products, and tableware. Located in the heart of Manhattan at its showroom, Korin has expert knife sharpeners in-house who sharpen knives by hand on a stone and sharpening wheel.
Korin is the first company in the world given authorization and certification to re-sharpen and repair several premier brands of Japanese knives.
The company offers mail-in sharpening and repair services. Forms for sharpening services are available online, along with detailed instructions for mailing in knives.
Sharpening fees are $25 per knife plus shipping. The knives are usually sharpened within one week and then shipped back to the customer. In addition to sharpening and repairs, Korin can clean rusted blades and discoloration in most cases.
Best for Mobile Service : National Sharpening Co.
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National Sharpening Co.
- Price: $8 to $15 per knife
- Types of Knives Serviced: All kitchen tools with a blade, including cutlery
- Mail-In Service Offered: Yes
National Sharpening Co. has a regional mobile knife sharpening service as well as an option to mail in knives for sharpening and repair.
In business since 1993
Can sharpen a large variety of styles
Tiered pricing with good value
Mail-in information not available online
National Sharpening is based in North Andover, Massachusetts, but services customers all over the country. Founded by Thomas Panniello in 1993, National Sharpening Co. offers sharpening and repair services for various knives, clippers and shears, and kitchen cutlery of any kind, including both Japanese and Western-style knives.
National Sharpening is able to sharpen everything from a paring knife and chef's knife to a steak knife, serrated knife, and a mezzaluna. Sharpening is done using a combination of a water-cooled machine and stone to create the sharpest edge possible.
Its mobile service is available for customers living in the region, but mail-in services are available to customers nationwide. Pricing starts at $8 for a paring knife, $12 for a standard chef's knife, and $15 for Japanese knives such as Global or Shun brands.
Turnaround time is approximately one week. Mobile services are made by appointment only, and customers are encouraged to contact the company directly by email to receive instructions for mailing in knives.
Best for Loaner Knives : KnifeFlight
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KnifeFlight
- Price: $57 to $157
- Types of Knives Serviced: All metal kitchen knives below 16 inches in length (except double serrated), scissors, and gardening shears
- Mail-In Service Offered: Yes
In addition to their quality mail-in knife sharpening service, KnifeFlight also offers loaner knives to use while you wait.
Fast turnaround time
Loaner knives available while you wait
High customer reviews
In-person drop offs only available to locals
KnifeFlight is a mail-in knife sharpening service that sends your knives back within three business days. Simply place an order for the number of knives you need sharpened, then KnifeFlight ships you a safe shipping box with sleeves to protect each knife.
If you still want high-quality knives to use while yours are being sharpened, KnifeFlight also offers a loaner program. The company will ship high-quality knives in the box for you to cook with until your favorites return.
KnifeFlight can sharpen between four and 15 knives for various prices. Sharpening for four or fewer knives costs $57, and the company can sharpen up to 15 knives for $157. If you need loaner knives in the meantime, the service costs between $64 and $164.
Final Verdict
Carisolo Grinding is our best overall pick for knife sharpening services thanks to its longstanding reputation, delivery and mail-in options, repair services, and quality sharpening process. This service offers discounts for multiple knives, making it an excellent choice for serious cooks to maintain all of their best kitchen tools with an easy process.
Guide to Choosing a Knife Sharpening Service
Price
Knife sharpening services vary considerably in price, with some in-person services costing as low as $5. On the other hand, mail-in services can cost up to five times more. In general, expect knife sharpening to cost between $5 and $25 per knife. Some services also offer discounts if you need multiple knives sharpened.
Mail-In vs. In-Person Knife Sharpening
Sur La Table offers in-person knife sharpening for an affordable price, but most other services require you to mail the knives in and have them shipped back to you. Turnaround time is usually between one week and 10 days for mail-in services, while the in-person service can have your knives ready for pick up within 24 hours.
Subscription Services
If you're passionate about cooking and need your knives to be sharpened on a regular basis, a subscription service might be right for you. For $24 per month, Togu can send you freshly sharpened knives every eight weeks. Subscribers simply ship their old knives back with each new set, and the service includes free shipping.
Compare the Best Knife Sharpening Services
Company | Price | Type of Knives Serviced | Mail-In Service Offered |
---|---|---|---|
Carisolo Grinding Best Overall | $14.40 per knife; discounts for multiple at a time | All kitchen knives | Yes |
Sur La Table Best Value | $5 per knife | Western + Japanese (no serrated or ceramic) | No |
Togu Best Knife Subscription Service | $24 per month | Santoku + Paring (no personal knives) | Yes |
Korin Best for Professional Chefs | $25 per knife | Double-edged Western Style | Yes |
National Sharpening Co. Best for Mobile Service | $8 to $15 per knife | All kitchen tools with a blade, including cutlery | Yes |
KnifeFlight Best for Loaner Knives | $57 to $157 | All metal kitchen knives shorter than 16 inches (no double serrated), scissors, and more | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Isn’t a Honing Steel Enough to Keep My Knives Sharp?
A honing steel is not a sharpener. Stainless honing steels are great for maintaining and straightening an edge that is already sharp, but they do not rub away metal to create a sharp, new edge.
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How Often Should I Sharpen My Knives?
This depends on maintenance and how often you use your knives. Most home cooks only need to sharpen their knives a few times a year if using steel to maintain a sharp edge. A paper test can determine if your knives need sharpening: Firmly hold a sheet of paper at the top with one hand, then draw the blade down through it with the other hand. If the paper doesn't cut smoothly and requires more pushing or it tears, it's time to sharpen the knife.
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Do Knife Sharpeners Ruin Knives?
While a knife sharpener can aid in deftly slicing and cutting in the moment for the task at hand, the practice has been known to dull and even chip blades over time, shortening the life of the blade overall. Sharpening removes material from the knife’s blade by grinding it against a sharpening stone, sharpening wheel, or a similar tool.
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What Is the Difference Between Western and Japanese Knives?
All knives have a beveled edge, meaning there is a slight angle on the side that runs down the edge. Generally, Western knives are double-beveled, and traditional Japanese knives are single-beveled. Double-beveled knives are sharpened on both sides and usually form a V-shaped edge, while single-beveled knives are straight on one side. Western-style knives are the most common and utilitarian while Japanese knives are designed for precision slicing (i.e. slicing sushi).
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Do You Tip a Knife Sharpener?
If you are satisfied with the service that was provided and believe that the knife sharpener did a good job, it is perfectly acceptable to tip them.
Methodology
The best knife sharpening services were selected by reviewing dozens available nationwide. Multiple factors were considered, including the history of the business, in-house expertise, and types of knives the company can service. Pricing, turnaround time, user experience, and customer reviews were also taken into account.
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