How To Sharpen your Grohmann Knives at Home

For those who prefer to do their own sharpening, suggested sharpening tips are below. A copy of this is on your Grohmann Professional Sharpening Tips that comes with each knife on the back of your Lifetime Limited Warranty sheet. Our knives have a high carbon content, so are not difficult to resharpen. You can use a purchased sharpening system, most work well with a 20-30 degree angle on both sides of the blade (other than the left or right handed bread knives, all of our knives are sharpened on both sides equally).  We do not recommend most sharpeners on the backs of can openers etc as they tend to grind off more steel than is necessary. Some 'built in' sharpeners that come with knife blocks also tend to actually dull up the steel after they wear out. The following are some quick tips we suggest.

Straight edge blade - Using a Combination Stone

Use a high grade combination stone and a low flashpoint petroleum product (e.g.. varsol) to keep the stone clean and lubricated. Many oils on the market, even though they claim to be thin, still tend to clog the pores, making it a shiny unusable surface over time. If you use something like varsol, you can use your stone until it wears out. Do this in a well ventilated area and be sure to clean your knife afterwards to remove all lubricant and shavings. 

Hold the blade on a 20-30 degree angle from the stone on the medium grit side first. Starting where the blade meets the handle, using a medium pressure, draw the entire length of the blade across the stone as if taking a thin slice off the stone. Alternate sides evenly until sharp.

Then repeat 3-5 strokes on each side on the fine grit side of the stone to remove any burr.  

Straight edge -Using a Sharpening Steel or Stick

Sharpening steels or ceramic sticks are ideal for touch-ups just before use. They are not recommended for a very dull/thick blade, use the combination stone instead.  When touching up on a sharpening steel or ceramic stick, lay the blade flat against the steel, then while keeping the edge against it, lean the top of the blade out approx 20-30 degree angle from the steel. Starting at the base of the blade (closest to the handle), draw the blade down along the edge right to the tip. Since Grohmann straight edge knives have the same bevel on both sides of the blade (makes the knife great for both left or right handed use) repeat this on the other side of the steel as well. Continue drawing the knife down on both sides equally until sharp.

Serrated Edges - with Ceramic Stick or Steel

Serrated edges require each tooth to be hand filed with a ceramic stick or appropriate steel that fits the diameter of the tooth.  Avoid using a tapered stick unless you stay in one area of the stick, or it will change & warp the shape of the tooth. Each tooth must be repeatedly filed until sharp. Then the stick can be rubbed back and forth along the edge on the opposite side to take off any burrs.

If getting your serrated knives sharpened by someone other than Grohmann Knives, please ensure the person doing it will keep your serrations as they are. We hear of/see numerous badly damaged serrated knives that had the teeth warped, broken or ground right off.

Sharpening & Repair Services

Grohmann also offers sharpening (and engraving) services for just about anything with a cutting surface such as planer blades, cattle clippers, barber scissors, rotary blades, block cutters, and much more. Call for a quote today or send your items along with a note that includes what work you want done, your name, your phone number and your return mailing address

Ship Securely Packaged Knives to:  Grohmann Knives Customer Service, PO Box 40, Pictou NS B0K 1H0 Canada

If returning from outside of Canada,  mark clearly on your box or customs form when shipping, "CANADIAN GOODS BEING RETURNED TO MANUFACTURER FREE DOMICILE" so that no extra charges OR refusal of your shipment will occur.

Maritime Sharpening Clinics

Grohmann Knives are known by chefs and homeowners for holding their edge and ease of  resharpening.  After a while, depending on what you are cutting, how often you use them, and what you are cutting on, your knives will need resharpening, either by yourself or someone qualified. Grohmann believes in a product that lasts, not a throw-away society, so with a quick sharpening every so often, they will continue to last you for a lifetime. Grohmann is happy to provide free sharpening clinics to get your Grohmann edges back in shape again. Any Grohmann knife can be resharpened at no charge during the clinic only, any other time there is a minimal fee. Check out which dealers are participating in the Atlantic provinces for free sharpening clinics here

Can't Wait for a Clinic?
We offer sharpening & repair services for a minimal fee, Grohmann's are done half price!

We've seen the damage done to knives that were brought to some sharpening places that have ground the teeth right off bread knives and worse. If you want the job done right, or want something fixed, send them to us. Grohmann offers professional sharpening services for a minimal fee year round. Grohmann products have always been sharpened for half price, other brands at regular price. For instance, to get a 3" Grohmann straight paring knife sharpened and buffed is only $2 plus applicable shipping and tax, or a Grohmann 8" bread knife that needed the teeth reworked, just $6.50 and that includes wood handle buffing.

We also see a lot of 'forever sharp' type knives from other brands coming in for, you guessed it, sharpening, and yes, we do sharpen other brands. Pricing depends on the length of the blade and if it is straight or serrated. Please email or call for a quote.

Grohmann also does complete reconditioning services to restore a cherished knife. We hear all kinds of stories, knives accidently left outdoors for the winter, or found at the bottom of a turtle pond.. Grohmann does everything from restoring the handle and blade, to handle/rivet replacement with the same material or something different if you like.

Click here for an example of a before and after knife reconditioning.

If returning from outside of Canada, please mark clearly on your box or customs form when shipping, "CANADIAN GOODS BEING RETURNED TO MANUFACTURER FREE DOMICILE" so that no extra charges OR refusal of your shipment will occur.