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Where can I get some kitchen knives sharpened (preferably cheaply)?
You are in luck. Sur la Table in Arlington (Pentagon Row) is offering a special sharpening deal during the month of October. You can have three knives sharpened for free, plus $1 per inch for each additional knife. The turn around time is a little longer, about three days, during this special offer, but hey, when you are getting three knives done for free, complaining should be kept to a minimum. Besides, getting to Sur la Table will give you the opportunity to pick up that Electrolux Assistant you keep wanting to get for DCist.
If you can't drag yourself out to Pentagon City, head to Eastern Market and get your knives sharpened by professionals who intimately know how to wield their blades and have done so since 1946. Union Meat offers sharpening and while you are there you should take some time to peruse (and purchase) the quality meat cuts that Eating In will make you drool for during the upcoming cool months.
In a pinch, hardware stores typically can give your knives a sharpen as well.
Of course the cheapest long-term solution is to learn how to sharpen your knives at home. While it takes a bit of practice to get professional results, and there is an initial investment, the process is repeatable. Sharpening stones range from $15 to more than $60 for high end diamond varieties and will return your knives to like–new sharpness for a lifetime. Electric sharpeners are a snap but not as cost effective and not as likely to outlast your knives.
Whatever sharpening method you choose be sure to use a honing steel regularly to keep your newly sharpened-edge in tip-top shape. Running the blade's edge across a steel returns a freshly sharpened edge in seconds. When a steel starts to produce mediocre results, you know it's time for another trip to a pro. If you do attempt your own sharpening practice sessions we encourage you to keep a phone with 911 pre-programmed and some cayenne pepper (apparently a healing miracle from nature) nearby for safety.
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In the spring, summer and early fall...there is also the "knife guy" who drives around upper northwest washington with portable knife sharpening equipment in his truck. He rings a bell much like the good humor man to notify neighbors he is in the area and many older residents swear by him...the whole thing is a bit of throw back to another era...like when people used to get their milk and meat delivered to their own homes...
The truck (and the knife equipment) used to belong to the current knife guy's father, an Italian immigrant whose "trade" was sharpening knives, gardening tools etc....
when the immigrant first came to the US in the early 20th century...there were about two dozen guys driving around the washington area in similar trucks...offering to sharpen knives, tool and gardening stuff...but slowly I guess the other knife sharpeners started to die off or leave the business...by the 1970s...the old immigrant remained the only person still driving around...he went out 6 days a week for about 10 hours a day
his son (the current knife guy) took over the business from his father after he died...although it more of hobby than a form of income..(I believe he is a retired lawyer who occasionally takes the truck out in his free time)...current knife guy said he learned how to sharpen knives from riding around in the truck with his father during the summer....
Julie,
Thanks for sharing.
Unfortunately, I've had mixed results with Union Meat's knife sharpening. They just didn't do a very good job. :(