Slot Knife Significant Info

Great knife block. Plenty of spaces for knives. I like this much better than a drawer of loose knives.

This knife block was exactly what I was looking for to store my good knives and have them handy when I was ready for them… Perfect.

This is a very nice knife block, and a great value. Decent construction – it’s not the ultimate in fine craftsmanship, but the quality is better than I expected given the price. Solid and heavy – should last for many years with just minimal care. Very pleased with it!

Top notch storage for my kitchen blades. Got them out of my cabinet clutter. Great quality.

I ordered five of these to give in stockings at Christmas. So much better than the butcher steel I have had to use for 50 years. This sharpener is so easy, and I always have a sharp knife. Everyone loved them. Rita

When it comes to sharpening knives, I must admit that it’s not one of my best talents… period.

I’ve tried sharpening kitchen knives, Swiss Army knives and the blades on multi-tools for years with sharpening steel implements and stones, and have had very inconsistent results with each of them, no matter how many different techniques that I’ve used. Then a few years back a friend introduced me to the very basic yellow handled Smith Abrasives Jiffy Sharpener, and for the first time I was able to put a reasonable cutting edge on my kitchen knives and scissors. Within 30 seconds I was sold, and that weekend bought my first one. The key to this tool is that it provided a proper sharpening angle on a blade every time.

If this sounds like a blurb for some “As Seen On TV” spot, it’s not meant to. I’m posting this because there have to be others out there who have had similar problems trying to find a no-hassle solution to this household and handyman dilema.

The newer, more refined version of the original is the Smith’s Abrasive V-Slot 10 Second Knife and Scissors Sharpener, and it does exactly the same thing as the original version, but adds a rubberized handle for better control and comfort. It also adds non-slip rubber feet for stability.

Both of these devices will basicly put a good, sharp edge onto almost any blade, and will do so by passing the blade through the “V” in the head, which allows the replaceable tungsten carbide cutters to remove metal from the blade. Do this three or four times and you’ll feel less resistance, then your blade is sharp.

The downside to all of this is that you’re not really honing the blade, which is the correct way to treat it. You’re removing metal from the blade, and if you overdo it, you can wear out a good knife blade before its time, so use it judiciously if you have good knives. If you have a small sharpening stone, such as the Smith’s Arkansas Stone, you can “touch up” the blade and put a shiny chef’s edge on the blade as a final step.

If your knives are really dull, these devices will do a nice job of reshaping the blade edge so that they’re serviceable again, and they’ll do it in just a few seconds. But as with all new implements,
be sure to RTFM… (Read The Flaming Manual) before you proceed.

These implements really shine when it comes to sharpening scissors that have become dull and/or have lost their edge, and both versions can be used with right or left-handed scissors. The scissors sharpener is located in the handle, and employs a floating sharpening rod thast will put the correct edge back on almost any scissors by drawing them through this section as listed in the instructions.

Pros:
* Does the job of sharpening your blades very quickly.
* Reasonably priced solution that does its job well.
* Restores the edge to worn out blades
* Does a great job sharpening scissors.

Cons:
* Removes more metal from a blade than a stone or steel.

If your knives or scissors have become dull with use, then either of these sharpeners from Smith’s will do the job. For those unlike me who are adept at using a conventional sharpening steel to hone a fine professional edge to a knife blade, you might look for the Smith’s Abrasive Standard Sharpening Steel, a 9-inch version of a conventional sharpening steel with an oversized hand guard and a hang ring.

Should your sharpening needs be more geared to items like Swiss Army knives or multi-tools from Gerber, Leatherman or Victorinox, then the Gerber DF6 Compact Sharpener might be a good alternative. This one is also easy to use, and features perfect 30 degree edges quickly and easily every time.

It’s been said many times that the most dangerous knife is the one that’s not sharp. Look at the specs for each of these and see which fits your needs best. The top two from Smith’s are excellent choices if you find sharpening your knives to be a challenge. Whichever one of these 5-star implements you choose, remember to read the instructions carefully before use… and think sharp!