A Cut Above

Sharpen your skills in the kitchen with the right tools of the trade.

While we know it’s more fun to buy than to fix, taking care of your cooking steel is an inexpensive way to improve your culinary skills (think: faster, better, stronger). Even better, razor-sharp knives sit second only to a hot barbeque when it comes to getting Dad up and at ‘em in the meal prep department. Summer is looking better already.

Knifewear is located in Inglewood and sharpens knives while you wait. Prices range from $6 to $15 and they repair broken knives for a small fee as well. The staff is knowledgeable, courteous and quick.

We were surprised to hear that a European knife (Henkel for example) should be sharpened three to four times per year depending on use. Japanese knives are made of a harder steel and need fewer trips to the whet stone (you can buy Japanese knives at their store).

So let’s do the math. One knife purchased off your wedding gift registry times the number of years you have been married equals a lot of trips to the whet stone, which is still less expensive than replacing your knives.

Luckily, we were delighted to hear that Knifewear also sells the tools and knowledge to sharpen your steel at home which we’re thinking will quickly become a coveted blue job. Classes run every Thursday evening, cost $60 and require a waterstone set ($128 at Knifewear if you don’t already have one).

We like that they teach you how to properly use your good-as-new knives at home. We also like the Saturday morning how to ‘Cut like a Chef’ class with the hopes it will improve our enjoyment of the daily meal prep regimen. Call in advance to reserve your spot.

Just like your vehicle, a properly-maintained knife will perform better and last longer saving you time and money in the long run (especially now that dad loves to cook even more). Tested by Heather J., Calgary

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