How A Master Knife Sharpener Restores Broken Knives | Epicurious

Master knife sharpener Vincent Kazuhiro Lau visits with Epicurious to demonstrate how he gives new life to tarnished, chipped and broken knives.
Director: Ian Stroud
Director of Photography: Francis Bernal
Editor: Jamie Gordon
Expert: Vincent Kazuhito Lau
Creative Producer: Christie Garcia
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Amy Haskour; Shelby Boamah
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Casting Producer: Vanessa Brown
Camera Operator: Duell Davis
Assistant Camera: Tony Aviles
Sound Mixer: Mariya Chulichkova
Production Assistant: Amara McNeil
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Scout Alter
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@nnthsttrls]

As a very avid cook, and kitchen knife enjoyer, I have spent a lot of time sharpening knives. Over the years I have seen, I'd guess, at least 30 "knife sharpening" videos. I genuinely think this is the clearest, most approachable one I've seen for all levels of experience. Teaches, sympathizes, and reminds.

[@loganmyall660]

Vincent is the GOAT. He understands the practicalities of actually using a knife. So many times knife sharpeners feel like a knife needs to STAY sharp. Vincent seems to understand that knives get used.

[@mikex691]

You are an excellent teacher. Thank you.

[@maxithebello]

Brother the best is Japanese Knife imports! Follow his videos you’ll master it in no time.

[@DutchClawz]

Only 30?

[@peternowlan5196]

Vincent when you are repairing the knife on that coarse stone try an even more obtuse angle to rapidly get to the bottom of the chips in the edge. Then as you progress and that damage is close to being repaired, lower the angle until you reach your chosen sharpening angle. Just some food for thought. Thank you for what you do.

[@RomanianGER]

Look at this fine gentleman, faithful to his knife for 13 years.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

A nice lesson in that material removal processes do actually remove material as well

[@user-in1yw9ty5t]

Say no to adultery

[@rayang9929]

My prison shank has never been soo sharp!!! thank you so much

[@humblyright]

Outstanding! Lol

[@CCSMrChen]

Microscope comparison was AMAZING!

[@richrich685]

Me: just learned everything I need to know about how to sharpen a knife. Me: still frustrated that I don’t have the muscle memory to properly use all the information Chef so generously offered and shared.

[@vaevictis2789]

I learnt its easier to maintain angle when you dont move your hands at all, but instead move your torso back and force with your leg. Like swaying movement, long and relatively slow. Managed to sharpen my knife to a point i can shave hair with it

[@sebaschan-uwu]

The first time I sharpened a knife it took me like 4 hours. It takes a lot of dexterity and hand strength to apply force to the blade while overcoming the friction on the whetstone while maintaining a fine sharpening angle consistently. But conceptually it's quite simple. Just sharpen the blade without destroying it.

[@Cyber_Kriss]

3 rules : - Practice - Practice - Practice

[@n3squ1k666]

Just take your time. At first just do everything slowly and meaningfully, thinking about every muscle you engage for the task. Then repeat it plenty of times as slow as you can, don't think about speeding up. Few days later you won't even realise you already have speed you could not reach a week ago.

[@hugotendam5349]

Never fear. First time I started sharpening my knives I made scratch patterns on my knives. Fortunately I kept at it and got better. A shame for the knives, but I can still use them.

[@nisaabin8793]

The gadget (?) Used in the video: 1:34 Rough Stone >> 220 grit 1:38 Stone base (optional) 4:06 Stone fixer to flatten wetstone 4:41 2 coins to create an angel while sharpening 6:42 Medium stone >> 1000 grit 7:23 Finishing stone >> 3000 grit

[@ColinM9991]

You brilliant person, thank you for that

[@sayianstakepain]

whetstone holder and a stone flatner or a diamond plate steel based for flatning since those stay flat so yeah

[@Kevin-finity]

Thank you very much!!! Very helpful.

[@Jaeahn16]

2 coins and I can get my own angel 😇

[@NeverQLND]

Thank you!

[@lisahouck4833]

First video that actually showed me what I needed to see to fix my terrible knife sharpening. Dangerously incorrect now my skills can improve safely and effectively

[@azores15]

Actually, the way he does it sucks. It sucks because he's using a difficult technique to do something that can be accomplished in a much easier way.

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

this was a master class in knife sharpening. thank you.

[@harveygee8143]

I've had my knives sharpened at Korin. Fantastic sharpening job.

[@Dennis-lp7xe]

I know many people who would consider the unsharpend knife already as very sharp 😂

[@raditz9676]

If it was with Frank Proto, he would have mined his iron, melted his steel ingot, forged his knife and only then sharpened it. And I'd loved every moment of that clip. This one wasn't bad either :)

[@Gotham_Media]

Overrated

[@Aerostarm]

Wow, that joke was so creative and funny

[@gabrieldinglasan]

it's a very Frank thing to do 🤣

[@R-T01]

😂😂 he’s actually done a knife sharpening video

[@oldcowbb]

will it keel?

[@nathanfast7974]

"This paring knife used to be a Claymore. See what happens when you properly sharpen your tools?"

[@birdmasterthecaffeinatedowl]

I do NOT trust myself to do this 😬 would def miss some digits 🤣

[@scratchcratch]

I am thankful for this gentleman's meticulous craftsmanship and lucid elucidation of the process. After countless videos and personal experience with wet stones, his passion and expertise have provided the comprehensive answers I've sought.

[@ztweston]

I extend my deepest appreciation for the gentleman's superlative finesse displayed in craftsmanship and their eloquent explication, meticulously detailing the intricacies of the process. Immersed extensively in an array of videos and enriched by personal tactile encounters with wet stones, his steadfast ardor and matchless proficiency have not merely enlightened but also impeccably addressed the meticulous inquiries I have assiduously pursued.

[@AndrewDRoyappa]

​@@ztweston thank you for accomplishing what I knew was requisite, but could only aspire to wistfully

[@Wren1]

‘Lucid elucidation’ is redundant, and it's a whetstone, not a ‘wet stone’.

[@ztweston]

@@Wren1 thank you internet grammar policeman

[@Wren1]

@@ztweston I responded to OP, which means that you would not have received a notification. Do you really have so much free time and narcissism that you go through checking threads you've commented on in a vain hope that someone has written something for you to jump on? Read a book and get a life, junior.

[@DominusSantorini]

One of the best videos I've seen on knife sharpening with whetstones

[@kasibree2569]

Thank you for this! My grandmother has ONE wet stone she would use DRY to sharpen her knives at a terrible angle (and has since developed that curve in the center), and immediately would cut food without cleaning the blade 😵 I'm taking over that task for her because those knives dont deserve that kind of treatment lol.

[@matijaatelsek7587]

Is the knife actually sharper after her treatment?

[@joebrittfishingandwildlife]

Can you share what stones you are using? Thanks! Excellent video

[@mistyblue2917]

This was very informative, thanks

[@xFalconFixer]

Hey Vincent! I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how AWESOME you are! Your instructions are spot on, and your pace is perfect - not too fast, not too slow. I APPRECIATE how you make the tough stuff easy to understand, and you always know just what to say. Thanks a bunch for being such an incredible TEACHER!

[@lostquartermaster52]

Wow, I am about to have 20 knives on the countertop.

[@-fazik-3713]

Not that long ago my collection was 400+ strong ...

[@bikeny]

I'm saving this one so I do it in the future (I'm moving soon, so I will be getting the tools). I do have one suggestion for the channel hosts: Please, pretty please with sugar on top: do not use any music while someone is speaking. It is distracting. Thx.

[@cospittner3526]

Best sharpening video I’ve seen. Really great content. Thank you.

[@grahamnorth3529]

Really helpful video. I bought my first whetstone this week and am looking forward to learning this skill and getting my knife perfect 👍

[@sauros1]

These videos always gloss over the most important part: keeping the knife angle consistent. Most people are going to fail miserably at freehanding knife sharpening like this.

[@ColdTakes585]

Ok but this guy is freaking AWESOME!! Best sharpening video I’ve ever found

[@ChauNyan]

I saw a video on this guy before

[@DailyFrankPeter]

It really is very simple: 1) practice until you can hold the knife to within 1-minute-of-angle precision by hand ;) 2) move blade across stone until sharp :)

[@Ozzborn85]

Yet another proof whi Epicurious is one of my all time fav channels. This video is exacatly what I needed, I recently tried the wet stone sharpening for the first time (only after reading some instructions and basics) and was not satisfied with the result of that first try at all. Now it has become much clearer! Not to mention that this master sharpener is an excelent at teaching as well as sharpening. Thanks!

[@maliniravi4644]

Godzilla had a stroke reading this and died

[@iDTecKt]

Can i send my katana to you for sharpening? 🤙

[@shayann2228]

2:13 you wanna have a nice grip and a stable holding, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow one way strictly. Use various types of handling the knife and try out the best you can. Since you wanna learn this, it is obligatory to remain patients and to master this, it could take a few months (you won’t sharpen you knife every day, not even after a week, maybe hardly after one month. So, this timeline might not fall for you, since it’s depending on regular practice)

[@oneupmanship]

Sharpened most of my kitchen knives last week, now I have to go back and do it all over again.

[@jonathanheinzman2703]

I've seen other tools sharped on whetstones that are finished with a leather strip to "align the metal" or something like that. Is there a reason he doesn't do this after the finishing stone?

[@LikeBOOMCA]

A leather strop in not necessarily a must if you finish on a high grit stone, though there‘s still a noticeable improvement after stropping your knife.

[@boxlad7583]

stropping is to remove burrs, or microscopic protrusions in the edge that make it duller

[@dbportillo]

It's not a requirement but will definitely give you that insane level of sharpness should you want it. The stones alone will give you a razor edge needed for everyday cooking. You can also use newspaper to get similar results.

[@jtris01]

A strop will have similar results to a high grit whetstone.

[@ColombianLNP]

Wooow this was pretty cool ! Thabks for the video guys really enjoyed learning something new today!

[@casey2732]

Thanks!!! Short and on point!

[@havextree]

The penny thing is bs. You can see the angle he used with the pennies and what he actually uses. Very different and way to steep of an angle with the pennies.

[@mikeelder6298]

I can sharpen my Buck 110 for 30 minutes and it isn't any sharper than before I started.

[@cyang17]

Wow... the transformation of that knife over the years... respect.

[@jjf609]

Beginner here. Best sharpening video. Clear, thorough & concise. Thank you.

[@rezkyahairy]

i love knives, and this is the best knife restore/sharpening tutorial out there!

[@Representing4II0I7]

Me sharpening every knife in my house and also giving a cut to everyone because of it 😅

[@ildarzamaletdinov3591]

Nice recommends. Every detail counts and makes a master piece result. Thanks a lot

[@fattyfat-fat6639]

Korin? There's nothing in the description about Korin, no address or email. Does anyone have contact info?

[@mos1tomk2]

what is the angle in 2 pennies?

[@henrymoutarde605]

roughly 2 pennies

[@lancebeltran2002]

*bro looks like Oda, if he was a bladesmith*

[@70foolio]

Thank you for this video. I feel more confident attempting to sharpen my knives.❤

[@RickR69]

Fantastic video. It would be informative to know what Vincent's opinion on honing steels is, however.

[@Not_Evil_]

But how to hold that angle perfectly :(

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Just lock your wrists.

[@ahmedbedair8884]

He said the whole process takes 15-20 minutes at the end. Is anyone else who does this method able to move through a whole knife that quick? I feel like it easily takes me 20-30 minutes depending on the knife/steel.

[@ashcosmo3854]

He is a master sharpener so I would say that's pretty expected

[@smievil]

chipped knives takes me days but regularly used knives may not take more than a few minutes, i'm probably a bit sloppy though

[@jtris01]

He uses a pretty low grit whetstone for profiling which improves the speed.

[@Coruptshun]

best video i've seen by a long shot. love this guy - super in depth. thanks

[@fairyxpony]

Fantastic video, Vincent is a legend when it comes to the best knives in NYC

[@willparsons32]

The "two-penny" technique is great BUT I'm wondering as a beginner, how does one remember how to keep that angle whilst sharpening the blade? ... Obviously, you can't keep the pennies in place as you're running the knife up and down the surface of the stone.

[@TheOriginalEL]

I found a really badly damaged knife in the kitchen, loads of chips in it. I followed your guidance and it turned out beautifully. Altho ever since, my dad is always saying he can't find his bread knife.

[@billybastar4022]

Great video! One of the best on the topic out there…close up on the chips, yikes. I could help thinking where all those pieces ended up🤷

[@majed01390]

Very wonderful explanation with amazing close out

[@semperflyer797]

Angle on the knife will change by a huge amount based on the "z" measurement. Pairing knife vs meat cleaver...huge disparity in the angle using pennies to measure the knife angle. Terrible advice.

[@prodbybabygod7411]

Knives videos like this bring a very interesting demographic. I make knives and like to watch people make/restore them. But it seems allot of chefs are also here 😂

[@mizuki7627]

Watched this a while back... maybe 2 months... now I chipped my knife so I'm watching again to see... 😢

[@BlakeCurtis-gk5cw]

Not ready for the kitchen until it’s touched 14000 grit.. all my knives are hair popping sharp

[@coffeegeek54]

Stone base that you'd recommend?

[@jamesweaver-reyes2624]

What brand wetstone’s do you use?

[@abhishekpargunde5815]

It was very helpful video now I can sharpen the knife very efficiently. Thankyou ❤

[@leehranicka3689]

Wow, thank you, amazing presentation!

[@robohippy]

Okay, shall we say that my experience is more with wood shop edges, but most of what I learn with the shop tools still applies to the knives. With my sharpening stones, mostly diamond, and some Shapton ceramic, I still have a burr up to 16000 grit or so. I am wondering how you get the burr off with the 3000 grit stone. Maybe I am just using too much pressure. I do strop all of my shop tool edges, as well as my kitchen knives. One thing that drives me nuts about movies is they always test the sharpness of their edges by running their fingers down the length of the blade.... Idiots! No one who knows anything about cutting edges would never do that...

[@smievil]

edge leading strokes on varying sides with lighter pressure each time and hope burr disappear. think finishing of with a leather strop without compounds helps as well

[@PL-px3gw]

Korin is such a fantastic place. A treasure in the city!

[@mrhouzef.]

Great tutoriel, very clear, thanks for the tips !

[@deletrious26]

I love seeing Vincent's videos.

[@vicveco]

If I dress like that, will my knives become sharper?

[@michaelkeon3215]

Best knife sharpening video I have watched to date. Thank you.

[@normannisbet1213]

Top informative video and your relaxed nature kept me engaged.

[@Ascketism]

I like the video but this 8:50 is much steeper angle (15-20 degrees) than you previously talked about. What is the reasoning?

[@jake9854]

he want the apex to be sharpen

[@LRF49]

Chuck Norris sharpens his knife with his beard.

[@scottboettcher1344]

He set his bevel/removed chips at a visibly steeper angle (w/o pennies), and then began to hone the edge at a much narrower angle (w/pennies). This makes no sense.

[@SladkofffSPb]

Ещё бы найти настоящие, японские ножи в России.

[@animelover7506]

We have 1 whetstone with two sides

[@DoraSpring-m9o]

Martinez Karen Robinson Donna Walker Brenda

[@mikaildagl1647]

Bu bileme taşlarını nerden temin edebiliriz

[@shaylenwayne9284]

More complicated than I thought..I have a few knives that need sharpening but I don't wanna make it worse.

[@andrewwightman531]

I bought a wet stone, watched a different video, and wrecked my knives. Then I watched this video and I fixed them. 👍🏻

[@stareintensifies3850]

feels very zen while sharpening a knife with a whetstone. my first attempt sharpening my knife was kinda disappointing i did not get the results that i wanted but in my second attempt OMG it was glorious, slicing tomato with no effort i'm so very happy with the results. my $170 did not go to waste thanks to you ❤

[@georgemorley1029]

It certainly works. I repaired a cleaver with this method yesterday. I didn’t take it to the finishing stone level, just rough, medium and fine stones, then a quick hone on a steel. For a cleaver to cut paper is more than it needs, but before it wouldn’t cut butter!

[@gtor71]

Is it possible to sharpen a curved knife using the same principles? I have a very curved knife that needs sharpening and it just seems like it would be difficult to sharpen using these techniques since you’d have to be constantly adjusting for the different angles of the curve

[@RizalIsmail]

Really clear explanation and feel the humble of you. Thanks, I will try apply your method. 🙏

[@cachaoni]

Thanks for a remarkable easy to follow and understand video. Dumb down the process which is indeed a difficult to master.

[@CagedSUPERMAN]

For carbon steel put baking soda in the water. No rust

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

There’s a much faster technique ☝️ Works for all my swords knives machetes ☝️ I will upload o bitchute. Screw KZbin

[@victorfranca85]

Just rub the edge one it. I love now people act like sharpening is some magical thing. Thinning and polishing are the real mvps. Lets see you turn a hollow grind into a scanty, by hand. Thats sharpening. Honing the edge super easy.

[@biancoziegler7618]

Careful though, a burr is always only on one side, or straight, but you can’t have one on both sides as stated in the video, nice moves though!

[@mariandan7663]

Hello, I have been trying to understand when and how to use stones depending on their grain size. I don't know how often I should use a 300-500-700 stone.Thank you

[@johnbeard7404]

Excellent. Thank You.

[@williamt15]

Very detail and clear tutorial. Thank you Vincent, finally know how to sharpen my knife.

[@Funzle01]

hey where can i buy those stone you are using

[@sammaldonado7497]

F yeah, vincent is the best

[@Mochila03]

Sharpened my knives on a stone recently. Did not remember his advice to release pressure pushing towards the blade edge and gouged my stone a few times.

[@victoradam1230]

a knife, is your most trusted weapon in the kitchen, basicaly the thing that makes the most difference when not well mantained, it's your job to mantain it well

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

Looks at the large fish boning knife with the 3mm deep chip in it,... probably a bit more than 15 min

[@PeterWilson-ow8dm]

This is the best and well explained video I've seen on how to sharpen a knife properly, thank you 👏👍

[@KoLuX57]

I am asking as an experienced specialist at what angle to sharpen single- and double-sided Japanese knives because I have such knives.

[@nicholash.7656]

Sweet. We used the two penny trick in Boy Scouts. Glad to hear it had some basis behind it.

[@tothy007]

slurry reduces sharpening effectiveness but helps with polishing.

[@williamhollar7844]

What stones do you recommend

[@Seagaltalk]

Just buy a new knife. Problem solved