When it comes to kitchen tools, a sharp knife is indeed your best friend. But as we all know, not every sharp knife gives the desired output. So, what to do, and which is the best form of the knife in terms of sharpness? Well, the clear winner is certainly the Victorinox knives!
They are a true standout known for their durability and longevity. And they are a staple in both professional kitchens and home cooks.
But even the best knives will eventually lose their sharpness over time. However, the good news is, with proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your knife and keep it in top condition.
In the following guide, we will show you how to keep a Victorinox knife sharp, so you can continue to enjoy its many benefits. Let’s begin:
What Knife Is Victorinox?
It is a high-quality knife that carries great functionality. It plays the best in the cooking game in your kitchen. This brand comes with different types of blades – straight, curved, and wavy- to bring you maximum convenience during meal preparation. You can choose your ultimate favorite from there.
Also, a Victorinox knife is made to ensure your cutting comfort. It includes a soft, handy handle that feels the most comfortable and functional all over the cutting task. Besides, the long-lasting edge retention saves time as it requires less sharpening.
What Steel Does Victorinox Use?
Victorinox Knives are made of high-carbon stainless steel. As the material is exceptional, you can enjoy cutting all types of foods with it. It has high-quality sharpness, which easily cuts through foods without deforming them, which is another benefit of high-carbon stainless steel. Also, carbon steel is easy to sharpen, which will help you to complete your tasks easily. And the best part is you can easily avoid rusting, but you must dry and oil the blades after cleaning.
Why Would I Choose a Victorinox Knife?
Although they have a good impression for being high-quality blades, Victorinox pocket knives are usually considered as the middle of the pack. However, many hikers and trekkers still choose these knives for a variety of reasons.
Lightweight
The knives’ small weight allows them to chop and process food faster while reducing hand fatigue. These are ideal for lengthy cooking sessions, as they can make the process faster.
Durable
The knives are crafted with amazing Swiss quality and give special attention to detail. As a result, the knives are strong and will serve you for a long time.
Hold an edge well
Even though they don’t maintain an edge as well as Japanese kitchen knives, Victorinox knives hold the edge better than any Western-style kitchen knives.
Reasonable Price
These knives are available at one of the most affordable price points, making them one of the most popular knives in many kitchens worldwide. These are premium knives but not expensive at all.
How to Sharpen Victorinox Knives?
Your new knife will eventually lose its sharpness after a few weeks and stop cutting efficiently. To cut through this, you will need to put additional pressure on the knife, which can deform your food.
It can be risky as when you put more pressure on cutting, it can slip, injure you, or break the thing you are cutting. Therefore, you must maintain the sharpness of your Victorinox knives to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
In order to maintain the sharp edge of your knife, cut it, and operate it as it should, there are two primary procedures that you need to include in the maintenance of your knife – honing and sharpening. Let’s dive into the details.
Honing Your Victorinox Knife
Regular honing will help sharpen the edge of your knives and reduce the frequency of getting blunt. Since honing is a less difficult procedure than sharpening, less material removes from the knife’s edge. So, your knife’ lifespan increases.
There are several techniques to hone your knives. One of the easiest ways is to sharpen your blade’s edge using honing steel. It comes in a variety of forms – diamond, ceramic, and steel. Eliminating little steel parts from the edge can make your knife straight and refined. However, the honing rods don’t polish the knife’s sharp edge as ceramic honing rods.
Another way to sharpen your knives is to use a high-grit whetstone with a grit between 3000 and 6000 or a leather strop with stropping compound.
Sharpening Your Victorinox Knives
Your Victorinox knives need sharpening after the edge has gotten so bad that honing it can’t bring the necessary sharpness. The knife has to be sharpened to get the cutting edge back and return it to its original sharpness.
The options you have for sharpening your knives are several and diverse, and your preferences and proficiency will greatly influence them. A few of the methods are the following.
Whetstones
When you have complete control over the edge of the knife, whetstone sharpening is considered the method of choice for kitchen knives. But you need quite a good practice to perform it successfully.
Pull-through sharpeners
You can use a pull-through sharpener with the correct angle set to acquire a sharp edge on your knife. Whetstones require quite a good skill, but pull-through sharpeners don’t require it, making them quick and easy to use.
Electric sharpeners
Pull-through sharpeners and electric knife sharpeners both work on knives similarly. It sharpens the edge with grinding wheels that gets power from a motor, which is the only difference between these. Electric grinders include angles that you can change to work on various types of knives.
Process
Use a pull-through sharpening to sharpen your knives; it is the simplest way to maintain the edge of your Victorinox kitchen knives.
- Apply 5 to 6 light to moderate pressure pulls on the knife with the sharpener.
- Use light pressure to repeatedly pass the knife through the sharpener 5 or 6 times.
- Hone the blade on a honing rod or a strop to complete the sharpening process.
How can you Take Care of Your Victorinox Knife?
You can use your Victorinox knives for many years if you clean, store, and care for them properly. Here are some simple maintenance instructions to help with a good maintenance routine for your pocket knives.
Wash Them Immediately After Using
If you wash your Victorinox knife immediately after using it, things won’t solidify or stay on your knife for long, making cleaning easier. It is best for your knife’s maintenance and makes cleaning it less difficult.
However, using a dishwasher to clean your knives can show some drawbacks. The handles on the knives can get damaged. Also, dishwasher soap contains compounds that gradually damage the handles of knives.
Keep the Joints and Moving Parts Clean
Your knife will gather dirt and dust depending on how you store it. It can get into the joints and moving parts of the knife. This is especially true if you carry a knife without a shield or other protective covering. The knife will gather dirt and lint while it is in your pocket, which will get lodged in the working parts and the sticks where the handle and blade join.
The easiest technique to maintain these regularly clean is to carefully brush out these places with a soft brush to remove these. You can work with an old toothbrush if you don’t have a little brush.
Clean the Entire Knife
Simple hand washing is the best method for cleaning your Victorinox Swiss army knife. The process is quick and simple, and it only takes a few minutes. Use a brush to remove all the dust from the knife, then gently rub the blade with your fingers or a soft sponge after dipping it in a bowl of warm water. Keep your fingers away from the edge’s sharpness.
The next step is to hold a pivot point in the water while opening and closing each of the parts that revolve around it. Repeat the process with each component multiple times before you move to the other point on the other side of the knife.
Using a hairdryer, you need to remove any remaining moisture from the knife’s joints and pivot points and blow heat into these areas. Finally, it’s time to lubricate the joints, which is the most important after you have finished the cleaning procedure.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
To maintain a smooth motion and protect the metal in these regions, you must regularly oil the pivot points on the knife. Once a month and every time you clean the knife, lubricate it as well. This oil has several benefits, including the fact that it is food-safe, has no taste or odor, keeps metal safe for a very long period, and offers excellent protection.
If you can’t find this oil or don’t have any, a drop of food-grade mineral oil will also work. To work the lubricating oil into the joint, put a small amount of the oil onto the pivot point and rock the parts on that side back and forth.
Store Your Victorinox Knife
The proper care of your Victorinox knives begins with how you plan to store them. Your knives can get damaged or lose their functionality if they are stored inappropriately.
A protective pouch for the knife consists of many knives, which include knives designed to be carried in your pocket. Even in your pocket, you must keep the knife in this pouch to maintain cleanliness and prevent debris from building up in the pivot points and joints.
Some of the knives come with a pouch that is intended to be threaded onto your belt, and these are also a great option to keep the knife protected but always handy. Even if your knife did not come with such a pouch, getting one for your knife is worthwhile to help keep it in the best shape possible!
Keep Your Knives Sharp
Victorinox knives are known for their durability and longevity, but in order to keep them in top condition, it’s important to sharpen the blades regularly.
One method for sharpening is honing steel, a long rod with a handle that is used to realign the knife’s edge. To use a honing steel, hold the knife at a 20-degree angle to the steel and run the blade along the steel from the base to the tip.
Another method is to use a sharpening stone. Take the knife and hold it at a 20-degree angle to the stone; wet it with water before using it. Run the blade along the stone, using a back-and-forth motion, until the blade is sharp. It’s important to be careful when sharpening knives as the blade can be sharp and dangerous.
To Wrap Up
Maintaining the sharpness of your Victorinox knife is crucial for both safety and efficiency in the kitchen. So, whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, a sharp knife is a must-have tool that can make all the difference in your cooking experience.
Remember, a sharp knife is a safe knife, and taking the time to maintain your Victorinox knife properly will save you time and effort in the kitchen and give you the confidence to take on any recipe or ingredient that comes your way.
FAQs
What is the Proper Technique for Honing a Victorinox Knife?
Honing is an important step in maintaining the sharpness of your knife, and it involves using a honing steel to realign the blade.
Hold the honing steel vertically to hone a Victorinox knife and angle the blade at approximately 20 degrees. Run the blade along the steel from the hilt to the tip, using a light, sweeping motion. Repeat this process several times, switching sides of the blade as you go.
How Often Should I Sharpen My Victorinox Knife?
The frequency of sharpening will depend on how often you use your knife, and how well you maintain it. For most people, a monthly honing session should be enough to keep the blade in good condition. However, if you notice that your knife is not cutting as smoothly as it used to, it may be time for a sharpening session.
What is the Difference Between Honing and Sharpening a Knife?
Honing is the process of realigning the blade and maintaining its edge, whereas sharpening involves removing material from the blade to create a new edge. Honing should be done regularly, whereas sharpening should only be done when necessary, as it will remove material from the blade over time.
What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Honing or Sharpening a Victorinox Knife?
Some common mistakes to avoid include using too much pressure, honing or sharpening at the wrong angle, and not honing or sharpening both sides of the blade.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re using the proper tools for honing and sharpening. A dull or damaged honing steel or sharpening stone can make your efforts less effective, or even cause damage to your knife.
Can I Sharpen My Victorinox Knife at Home, or Do I Need to Take It to A Professional?
While it is possible to sharpen a Victorinox knife at home, it does take some skill and practice to get it right. If you are not confident in your ability to sharpen the knife, you may want to consider taking it to a professional. On the other hand, honing can be done relatively easily at home with a honing steel and a bit of practice.
