Serrated Knives

[Laury]

Can I use a steel to sharpen serrated knives??

[luvs]

steels don't sharpen; they hone.

[Laury]

Then should I hone a serrated knife?

[luvs]

you need to sharpen before honing if it's dull. yes, you can hone, though.

[Andy M.]

If your serrated knife edge looks like this:VVVVVVVVVVV, The sharpening or honing needs to be done in the "V" between the points, as well as to keep the points pointy. A steel applied to the back side of the edge may help a little.

[Laury]

I guess I've never really understood the difference. I have one knife that I use 99% of the time and when it feels dull, I hone it. When honed, it's behaves pretty much as I want it to. It's a Henckels knife. Should I sharpen it as well? If so, how is it done and with what? Thanks for your help!
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[MexicoKaren]

Well (hi Laury) I am obviously NOT in the know on this, either. Could someone enlighten us, or send us to a website that will? Thanks!

[Laury]

Truth be told (hola mi amiga Karen!) I'm a little afraid of "too sharp' knives. Maybe that's why I haven't really learned about this. A little dullness is probably a good idea for me! Besides, anytime i cook with someone else's knives - they are REALLY dull, so I feel like mine are just right.

[luvs]

sharper knives, they're much safer!

[MexicoKaren]

When we took a little trip a few months ago, the guy who house-sat for us also sharpened all of my knives while we were gone. Problem is, he didn't tell me! Quite a surprise the first time I used my chef's knife. I agree - sharp knives are probably safer, but how do I keep them that way? I have a sharpener that came with my set of knives, but Don's sharpening job was much much more effective.