Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sharpen

Look sharp!

serazin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:16:13 -0800

I'd like to sharpen my knives and pruner, but how? Sharpening: why is it so expensive? Is this a super complex skill to learn? What are the basics I need to know about how to sharpen, and what are the essential tools I need to make things sharp? (A recent trip to the fancy Japanese tool store revealed about 25 different sharpening implements ranging in price from 20 to 100 bucks each!) Should I leave sharpening to the experts - or is this something I would be an expert on had I been a boyscout? Give me your sharpening wisdom here!

Help me see my brother's smile again

odi.et.amo — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 06:13:58 -0800

FuzzyPictureFilter: Is the entertainment industry lying to me? Is it really possible to get a clear image from a fuzzy picture? I have several digital photographs of a deceased love one - these pictures are unfortunately fuzzy. I would REALLY like to get a nice picture of his smile - I know there is a great shot behind the fuzzy, but how can I get to it? My only other option is to use a picture from when he was about 6, but obviously, I want to remember him in all his grown-up splendor. The fuzziness is due to both slight movement as well as a not-completely-focused digital camera + hand shaking.

Is this something that can be fixed with photoshop/gimpshop? I've never had much success with un-fuzzying pictures, even using instructions listed in a book of photoshop tricks. Any help offered would be graciously and appreciatively accepted. I can post a link to the pictures if you guys think that would help.

What's the best way to sharpen a kitchen knife?

cubby — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:54:19 -0800

I would like to learn to sharpen my own kitchen knives. Any advice on where to get good information and supplies? I have several low quality stainless knives (for practice, maybe), and three nice Japanese steel knives - a santoku, a petty, and a single bevel paring. Given the different angles that each knife needs to be sharpened to, I am leaning away from an electric sharpener -- but there are many hand sharpening methods to choose from.

Any ideas about a sharpening method that will allow me to maintain these knives myself? Whetstones? Electric sharpener? Honing steel? Also- where might I obtain any recommended sharpening supplies?

Knife Sharpening Service in Denver

jazon — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:08:42 -0800

Looking for suggestions for a (kitchen) knife sharpening service in the Denver Metro Area I've got some kitchen knives needing attention and I don't have time to do it myself (and Alton Brown says to have a pro sharpen kitchen knives anyway). A couple google searches turns up very little. Anyone have some suggestions or personal recommendations?

how do i sharpen a knife?

goldism — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 20:14:10 -0800

how do you sharpen a "sir-rated" (i cant spell) knife? am i just better off buying another one?