The Complete Guide to Sharpening Your GLOBAL Knives

Hi there! If you‘ve invested in a set of GLOBAL knives for your kitchen, you‘ll want to keep them performing at their best by properly sharpening them. GLOBAL knives require specialized sharpening to maintain their famously acute edges. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to sharpen your GLOBAL knives like a pro.

All About GLOBAL Knives

GLOBAL is a premier Japanese cutlery brand known for innovative knife design. Their lightweight knives feature iconic dimpled handles that give you a safe, secure grip. GLOBAL knives are crafted from CROMOVA 18 stainless steel, which is hardened to 66 on the Rockwell scale for impressive edge retention.

Yet despite its hardness, CROMOVA 18 steel is easy to sharpen if you use the right techniques. GLOBAL knives have slim tapered blades sharpened to a very sharp edge angle of just 15-17 degrees per side. This slender angle lets them slice through foods effortlessly with minimal resistance.

However, such an acute edge angle means GLOBAL knives require frequent sharpening to keep them scary sharp. While Western-style knives are often sharpened at 20-22 degrees per side, maintaining the original 15-17 degree edge geometry is vital for optimal performance from your GLOBAL knives.

Fun Fact

GLOBAL knives have been tested to still slice tomatoes after cutting through over 90 pounds of them! Now that‘s some incredible edge retention.

Understanding Sharpening Angles

The sharpening angle refers to the angle between the blade face and the cutting edge. Standard Western knives are often sharpened to a V-shape of 20-22 degrees per side, while Asian knives utilize more acute 12-17 degree angles.

Here‘s a quick primer on what these sharpening angles mean:

**15°:** Very sharp but fragile edge; common for Japanese knives

**17°:** Balance of sharpness and durability

**20°:** Standard for many Western-style knives

**25°:** Very durable but less sharp; often used for tools

As you can see, the smaller the sharpening angle, the sharper yet more delicate the cutting edge. A 15 degree angle will slice effortlessly through foods but must be sharpened more frequently.

What Sharpening Angle is Best for GLOBAL Knives?

To maintain optimal cutting performance, GLOBAL recommends sharpening your knives at 15-17 degrees per side. This preserves the ultra-sharp geometry their knives are designed for.

Some advise increasing the angle up to 20-22° to improve edge toughness. However, edges sharpened over 17° will noticeably dull your GLOBAL knife‘s cutting ability.

For the best results, stick within GLOBAL‘s recommended 15-17 degree sharpening angle. This balances sharpness and edge life so your knives can meet all your cutting challenges!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Sharpening a GLOBAL Knife

Sharpening your GLOBAL knife doesn‘t require expensive equipment or expert skills. Just follow these simple steps to put an incredibly sharp edge on your GLOBAL:

Things You‘ll Need

• 1000-6000 grit whetstone
• Honing steel
• Sharpening guide (optional)
• Mineral oil
• Paper towel

Step 1 – Prepare Your Whetstone

Start by soaking your whetstone in water for 5-10 minutes. This allows the stone‘s abrasives to swell for optimal sharpening action. Rinse your GLOBAL knife blade and apply a few drops of mineral oil to prevent sticking.

Pro Tip

Aim for a 1000-6000 grit whetstone. An 800-1000 grit stone repairs damages edges, while 3000-6000 grit puts on the finishing polish.

Step 2 – Find the Proper Angle

Lay your knife flat on the whetstone so the spine and blade make full contact. Now lift the spine until you hit GLOBAL‘s recommended 15-17° sharpening angle. You can use a sharpening guide to help hold the angle, but with practice you‘ll be able to find it intuitively.

Step 3 – Sharpen One Side

With consistent, light pressure, pull the knife across the stone towards you, keeping it at a 15-17° angle. Lift the knife off the stone between passes. Repeat for 5-6 full strokes. Remember to sharpen the entire blade edge – from bolster to tip!

Step 4 – Flip and Repeat on Other Side

Flip your GLOBAL knife over so the opposite side of the blade edge is now facing down against the stone. Repeat the sharpening process for the same number of full strokes on this side, maintaining careful angle consistency.

Step 5 – Rinse and Dry

Rinse your knife and whetstone thoroughly with water to remove any residue or metal filings. Hand dry your knife right away with a clean towel to prevent any moisture corrosion on the blade.

Step 6 – Finish with Honing

Use a smooth honing steel to realign and straighten your freshly sharpened edge. Draw the edge across the steel 5-6 times on each side using light pressure. This completes the sharpening process!

Step 7- Test the Sharpness

Your GLOBAL knife is now ready for slicing. Test the sharpness by carefully cutting through a sheet of paper or shaving a patch of arm hair. The knife should easily glide through with mirror-like smoothness!

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Here are some key tips to help you successfully sharpen your GLOBAL knives:

• Use light pressure – Let the stones do the work! GLOBAL‘s hard steel only needs light sharpening forces.
• Lift between strokes – This ensures an even edge from bolster to tip.
• Count your strokes – Perform the same number on each side to keep the edge symmetrical.
• Watch your angle! – Maintaining 15-17° is critical for maximum sharpness.
• Strop after sharpening – Use leather to polish off any burrs and refine the edge.
• Hone regularly – Frequent honing realigns the edge and prolongs sharpness.

Determining When Your GLOBAL Knife Needs Sharpening

Don‘t wait until your GLOBAL knife is completely dull before sharpening. Watch for these signs that it‘s time to sharpen:

• Food sticks to the blade when cutting
• Knife cuts feel rough or ragged
• You need to apply extra force to slice through foods
• Knife won‘t smoothly cut through paper when tested
• Nicks, chips or jagged spots felt along the edge

Use these benchmarks to be proactive with sharpening before your GLOBAL knife loses its edge entirely.

Testing Knife Sharpness

Wondering if your sharpening skills measure up? Here are two simple ways to test a knife‘s sharpness:

The Paper Test

Slice through a sheet of paper held vertically. A sharp knife will cut smoothly without catching or tearing. If the paper rips roughly, your knife needs more sharpening.

The Nail Test

Gently run the edge of your knife from base to tip across your thumbnail or fingernail. It should glide effortlessly across the nail without grabbing. If it catches, your knife isn‘t sharp enough yet!

Recommended Sharpening Tools

While you can sharpen a GLOBAL knife with just a basic whetstone, certain tools can make the process easier. Here are some recommended sharpening aids:

• Guided sharpening systems – Help hold a steady angle as you sharpen. Great for beginners.

• Diamond stones – Cut fast and don‘t require soaking. Best for repairing damaged edges.

• Ceramic rods – Put an ultra-fine finish on already sharp edges.

• Leather strops – Use to polish the edge after sharpening. Removes tiny burrs.

• Magnifying lens – Lets you inspect the edge for proper sharpening.

• Angle cube guide – A precise way to check your sharpening angle.

Avoid pull-through sharpeners which remove too much metal and leave uneven edges on GLOBAL‘s thin blades.

Do‘s and Don‘ts of Sharpening GLOBAL Knives

Here are some dos and don‘ts to keep in mind when sharpening your GLOBAL knife:

Do:

• Maintain 15-17° per side sharpening angle
• Use a 1000-6000 grit whetstone
• Employ light, consistent pressure
• Keep the edge symmetrical by counting strokes
• Strop after sharpening for a polished edge

Don‘t:

• Oversharpen below 15° – the edge will be too fragile
• Use a coarse stone under 1000 grit
• Apply too much pressure – let the stone do the work
• Sharpen at angles over 17° – it will excessively dull the knife
• Leave the blade wet to avoid corrosion

FAQs About Sharpening GLOBAL Knives

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting your GLOBAL knives scary sharp:

What‘s the best way to determine the angle when sharpening?

Use an angle cube guide for precision or lay the knife flat and lift the spine until it hits the desired 15-17° angle. Sharpening guides also help hold a steady angle.

How often should GLOBAL knives be sharpened?

Plan to sharpen your GLOBAL knife every 2-3 months with regular use. Sharpen more frequently if you notice dullness setting in.

What grit whetstone works best for GLOBAL knives?

A 1000-6000 grit whetstone is ideal. The 1000 grit side repairs the edge, while 3000-6000 grit refines it to a polished finish.

Should I use a honing steel on my GLOBAL knife?

Yes, use a smooth steel every couple uses to keep the edge straight between sharpenings. Just a few light strokes will do!

How many strokes should I use when sharpening?

Aim for 5-6 full length pulls per side. Count your strokes to ensure you sharpen each side equally.

Can I sharpen serrated GLOBAL knives?

Yes, use a ceramic rod in the grooves or a small diamond file. Avoid pulling the serrations across whetstones which can flatten and ruin them.

Maintaining Your GLOBAL Knives

The right maintenance will keep your GLOBAL knives performing like new:

• Hand wash – Never put GLOBAL knives in the dishwasher! The harsh detergent can damage handles.

• Prevent corrosion – Dry immediately after rinsing and avoid moisture exposure.

• Use cutting boards – Protect edges from dulling too quickly by always using a board.

• Store properly – Keep in a knife block or sheathed in a drawer to avoid nicks and chips.

Key Takeaways

That covers everything you need for sharpening success with your GLOBAL knives! Here are some key tips to remember:

• Sharpen at a 15-17° angle per side to maintain maximum sharpness
• Use a medium whetstone and light, consistent pressure
• Count strokes and sharpen evenly on both sides
• Test sharpness with paper or fingernails
• Hone frequently and sharpen again as soon as edges dull
• Strop on leather after sharpening to finish the edge
• Hand wash and store properly to extend the knife‘s lifespan

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow cooking enthusiasts master professional-level sharpening skills. Here‘s to many more years of stellar performance from your GLOBAL knives.