My son thought the Accusharp was the best knife sharpener you could buy. I’ve researched and he was correct. On his recommendation — he actually bought one for me — I have used the thing for years. I don’t have great, high quality knives. I have the knives he purchased for me as Mother’s Day gifts when he was little. The aren’t the best quality — they ARE the best knives as far as I’m concerned, due to sentimental value.
Recently they have all become pretty dull so I got out the Accusharp to sharpen them. It occurred to me there had to be videos to show me the proper technique. What an eye opener.
Turns out I have been using it improperly all this time. I hold the knife wrong. I use the Accusharp wrong. I had no idea you could reverse the blades. First, let’s reverse the blades I have probably mangled from misuse.
Reversing the blades
From Accusharp’s website: The tungsten carbide sharpeners of AccuSharp® are of high-grade industrial quality and are one of the hardest materials known. Even so, after several years of use, they may become worn. Due to their unique design the sharpeners can be reversed for double life.
To reverse the sharpeners lay the AccuSharp® on its side with the screws up. Remove the screws and carefully separate the two halves of the handle as shown in the following illustration. The sharpeners should remain in the lower half. Simply switch the position of the sharpeners (front sharpener to rear and rear sharpener to front) taking care to keep the reference dot (n) on the sharpeners facing toward the tail end of the handle. If the finger guard becomes disengaged during this operation, secure both ends of it in the slots provided prior to reassembly.
CAUTION: DO NOT REASSEMBLE THE KNIFE SHARPENER WITHOUT THE FINGER GUARD. SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT. Reassemble the two halves of the handle and secure with the three screws.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN SCREWS. The factory torque setting is about 5 inch pounds of pressure. Tighten them only until you feel increased resistance. If sharpener has any cracks around the screw heads do not use it. Either discard the sharpener or return it under the terms of the warranty.
AccuSharp® is perfectly safe when used properly. As a precaution, the knife blade should be thoroughly cleaned after sharpening.
Now let’s see how it should really be used
I have been way too harsh when using the Accusharp thinking harder is better at sharpening — turns out it works best with a lighter touch.
I have used the sharpener incorrectly for years and it’s done a marvelous job of sharpening my knives. I can’t imagine how many more years it will serve me now that I actually know how it’s supposed to be used.
s(I am not sponsored by AccuSharp in any way.)