The Joy of a Sharp Knife

Growing up I never knew the joy of a sharp knife. I don't think my sweet mother ever thought about the sharpness of her knives.  She was content to saw back and forth for any  necessary cuts she made. We never had any quality knives and I don't remember ever seeing anyone sharpen a knife while I was growing up.

So how I ever became obsessed with having "good" knives, I don't know. I guess it came from watching so many FoodTV shows.

  A few years ago I finally bit the bullet and invested a good chunk of half a week's salary to buy  a set of (5) Wusthof knives.

The first time I felt that full-tanged knife slide through a red ripe tomato, I was hooked! That knife slid so easily through that tomato---trust me, it was a sight to behold.

"What is full-tanged?", you ask. I had never heard  that term either until I began investigating "good" knives. See that metal at the top of these knives?

Full-tanged means that the metal from the knife blade runs all the way through to the handle. It's one solid piece.  Therefore, it is nearly impossible to break a full-tanged knife.  To say a knife has a full tang is a good thing indeed.

I tell you all of this only because after getting these expensive knives, I had to find a way to keep them sharp.  I searched for years and could not find a craftsman in my little town who sharpened knives.  There used to be a shop in town,  but the man retired years ago. 

So I bought an electric knife sharpener and I used my honing tool and did the best I could to keep my knives sharp.  I watched YouTube videos to see how it was done and,I guess, I did a satisfactory job. 
Then last week my work friend (our Chief Engineer) picked up a business card hanging on the bulletin board at the local hardware store and gave it to me.  It was for the man who retired years ago -- he had set up a sharpening shop in his home!

I can't even tell you how thrilled I was--it's the best thing that has happened to me so far in 2011.  Really...I know...I lead a dull life.........that's OK as long as my knives are not dull! :)

I called him immediately and put my beloved Wusthof's in the plastic bag you saw above and had DH drop them off at his home.  The man had them all sharpened within an hour.  I can't even begin to describe the thrill as I peeled my first potato for last weekend's dinner with that sharp paring knife!

Yesterday I gathered up (and wrapped in a towel) more items that needed sharpening .........more knives....that cleaver in the back is very old and very dull  (I  bought it at a garage sale).  Now that it is sharp, I can't wait to use it.

If you glance toward the back, you will see my Felco pruners. Now I am all set to get outside and begin the massive cut down of all the dead flower foliage that I did not cut down last fall--see all that brown stuff sticking up through the snow?  
It all must be cut down this spring.

I also had my  lopper sharpened...the tool I use to cut small branches (I did not get a pic of the lopper).

At the moment, I think I have had everything sharpened that I need sharpened.

Ah, the joy of sharp tools!