A dull knife makes the filleting, cutting, or chopping job substantially frustrating while consuming a significant amount of time. When it comes to filleting, the task with an unsharpened electric knife tests your patience. This is when the thought of sharpening the knife knocks at your mind.
So, how to sharpen electric fillet knife blades? There are several approaches to doing that. You can sharpen the blades with a whetstone, an electric sharpener, and an electric steel rod. Additionally, a belt-mounted electric knife sharpener can also be used.
Here, we detail each approach along with some effective tips to maintain the sharpness of your knife blades. Let’s check it out.
Comparison Between Sharpening Approaches
Below is a table consisting of comparative viewpoints between the mentioned sharpening approaches. The comparison considers criteria like task difficulty, cost, and effectiveness along with its time consumption.
| Methods | Difficulty And Time Consumption | Cost | Effectiveness |
| 1. Whetstone | Easy but time-consuming | Low | Moderate |
| 2. Electric sharpener | Easy and takes less time | Moderate | Moderate |
| 3. Electric steel rod | Complicated and takes more time | Moderate | Low |
| 4. Belt-mounted electric knife sharpener | A bit critical but takes a very little amount of time | High | High |
In-Detail: How to Sharpen Electric Fillet Knife Blades?
Well, you might have brought the best electric knife, but without scheduled sharpening, it won’t retain its best characteristics. To maintain such, apply the below methods.
1. Using Whetstones
This is one of the popular methods of sharpening the electric knife blade. Whetstone’s granulated particles act as sharpening components when you slide the metal blade. However, a water-soaked whetstone is more effective.
Below is the process.
Step 01: Arrange Whetstones
If the knife’s edge is cropped, buy a below-1000-grit whetstone. On the other hand, if the blade is just dull, you have to purchase a whetstone with a grit level of 1000–3000. Also, you have to arrange for a 400- to 8000-grit whetstone for finishing work.
Step 02: Remove Sticked Material from the Blade
Remove all the old blade materials by using a dry cloth.
Step 03: Place the Whetstone
Manage a raised platform that is not shaky. Using a concrete deck or any other heavy-weight platform rather than a wooden or plastic table is better. Now, place the whetstone on the hard surface.
Step 04: Start Sharpening
Start sliding the blade back and forth over the stone. Try to maintain an angle of 20 degrees minimum. Also, do not apply high pressure; keep it moderate. The slipping of the blade should go for the full-length shot on one attempt.
Step 05: Removal of Stone Particles
Take a soft cloth piece and wipe the blade nicely, removing the tiny stone particles from the blade.
Step 06: Repeat the Slipping
Now, do run the blade’s opposite side and wipe the blade again. And repeat the back-and-forth running for both sides several times.
Step 07: Polishing
As you become satisfied with the sharpness, wipe the blade one more time. And use the 3000-8000 grit stone for polishing. The job is done.
2. Using an Electric Sharpening Rod
Unlike the whetstone method, an electric sharpening rod does not cut out the metal particles to make the blades sharp. It fixes the unevenness of the edge surface to do the sharpening job.
Follow the below process.
Step 01: Unplugging the Knife
Disconnect the electric knife from the power socket. And fold the wires. It is better to use a piece of rope to tie the fold.
Step 02: Making Ready
Place the knife on a solid and stable counter. It is better to avoid the blade facing you. Now, hold the handle of the knife with one hand and use the other hand to hold the electric sharpening rod.
Step 03: Sharpening
Start sharpening the threads of the blade from the handle side. Do not apply a higher amount of pressure. With moderate pressure, glide the rod on the blade from the handle to the tip of the knife. Now, wipe the blade with a dry cloth and start with the opposite side.
Follow this process five to six times by gliding the rod on the blade threads.
Step 04: Finishing
Wash the electric knife blade with soapy water to get rid of the small metal particles and dust generated from the sharpening activity. Wipe the blade and reconnect the knife to the power source.
3. Using an Electric Sharpener
If you ask how to sharpen electric fillet knife blades, this is one of the best solutions. It does not require prior experience, and this sharpening approach is easy to do. Let’s discuss this.
Step 01: Purchase an Electric Sharpener
Before heading to the market, do proper research on electric sharpeners to find out which one is the best. You will find many; select one that fits your budget and has a proven track record.
Also, you must consider selecting the appropriate sharpener type that is suitable for the blades. Now, go to the nearby store and purchase the selected electric sharpener.
Step 02: Disconnect the Knife
Unplug the knife from its power source. Do not forget to fold the cord and make it a bundle with the help of a piece of rope or plastic tie. Please be careful with the wire bundle while performing the sharpening task; the sharpener should not touch the wire.
Step 03: Placing the Knife
Place the knife on top of a solid and unshakable table or kitchen counter. It is always better to avoid lightweight wooden tables. Try to place the knife at the edge of the platform and let the cord (bundled) hang.
Step 04: Sharpening
Now, power up the electric sharpener and start gliding it from the handle base to the tip. At first, do not apply any pressure; let the first dull layer come out automatically. From the second gliding start, put a slight pressure on the blade and try to reach the bottom of the threads.
Please note that the electric sharpener has a stone installed at the tip of the machine. This stone needs to touch the deep folds of the threads to achieve effective sharpness.
After finishing one side, repeat the process on the opposite side as well. Each side requires five to six glidings of the sharpener.
Step 05: Finishing
In this last step, clean the knife blade. Use soapy water to wash the blade, extracting small metal particles and dust. Then use a dry cloth to wipe it. Finally, you have a sharp knife.
4. Using an Electric Belt Sharpener
This process is also easy to perform but requires a bit of experience to perform effective sharpening work. Also, it should be mentioned that this approach is highly suitable for a cordless electric knife.
Step 01: Getting Ready
In this first step, disconnect the knife from its power source and take care of the cord. Now, power up the belt sharpener. Make sure no children are nearby.
Step 02: Sharpening
Hold the knife with two hands. Use one hand to hold the handle and other hand’s fingertips to hold the top of the knife. Now, move the blade forward and backward, touching the rolling electric belt. Here, it is crucial to maintain the flow of moving the blade forward and backward to avoid uneven sharpness.
Please note that you have to perform this for one side first. And perform sharpening for the second side one time. Follow this pattern five or six times.
Step 03: Final Step
Switch off the electric belt sharpener. And wash the blade with soapy water and wipe it nicely with a dry cloth, removing any stuck metal elements.
Tips to Maintain the Sharpness of the Electric Knife
Maintaining sharpness for a long time is a crucial concern. It eliminates the frequent need for sharpening the blade. It saves time, money, and effort. Here are some tips to keep your electric knife’s sharpness lasting.
- Always clean the knife after even a simple use. More precisely, even if you use the knife for one cut, wash it.
- Have a designated place to keep the knife. In addition, you should use a knife cover.
- Ensure the knife vents are unblocked while using the knife.
- Avoid using chopping boards made of glass, ceramic, granite, etc. It is better to use a cutting board made of wood or plastic.
People Also Ask
Here, we answer some of the most common questions.
Q1: Can You Sharpen Electric Knives With Serrated Blades?
Yes, you can sharpen the electric knife’s serrated blades. But it may test your patience while reaching each fold of the serrated.
Q2: How Much Does The Workshop Cost For Sharpening An Electric Knife?
In general, a workshop can charge you $5-$10 for sharpening electric knife blades.
Q3 When Should I Go For An Electric Knife Blade Replacement?
If the blade’s sharpened edge has decayed too much, you should go for a replacement. It may vary from place to place.
Bottom Line
We hope now you know how to sharpen electric fillet knife blades in detail. You can apply any of the above-mentioned methods, matching the available time, expenditure, and expertise. However, we would like to mention one more thing in particular.
Sharpening a fillet knife blade is certainly not a tough task, but it requires concentration and effort. If you cannot perform the task patiently, it is better to take the blades to a workshop. Here, the associated expense is a bit higher, but it ensures effective work completion.
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