Premium Hand Sharpening Service

Our sharpening is art.

We sharpen kitchen knives using at least seven whetstones, including natural ones, regardless of the brand. Backed by the expertise and skills verified by Ichimonji, one of Japan’s top kitchen knife brands, we meticulously hand-sharpen your knife. Our clamshell finish, requiring precision and experience, ensures both sharpness and durability. We carefully assess each knife’s condition and sharpen accordingly using a variety of whetstones. Experience unparalleled sharpness and elevate your cooking skills with our professional sharpening services.
Art
of
Sharpening
1 day
Takes less than a day
for sharpening
7 stones
More than 7 whetstones
to use
Hand-Sharpening
We sharpen by hand
in Japanese traditional method
Mirror finish
The sharpened surface
reflects like a mirror

Premium hand sharpening in traditional Japanese method

We sharpen kitchen knives using the traditional Japanese method, employing at least seven whetstones, including natural stones. We start by selecting the most suitable whetstones from over 20 high-quality options tailored to the specific knife. Our sharpener, with years of experience and intensive training from one of the most renowned  sharpeners in Japan, ensures precision and excellence. Trusted by Ichimonji, he provides expert care services for users in Europe and the U.K., representing the brand with the highest standards of quality.

Same-day sharpening service

Our same-day sharpening service is available for businesses and individuals in Amsterdam with more than 5 knives, and in other neighboring cities including Rotterdam, Utrecht, or Den Hague with 10 or more knives. Simply contact us to make an appointment. We will come to your location with wrapping materials and a safety case to pick up your knives. We can also provide substitute knives upon pick-up until we return your sharpened knives later the same day. Return might be on the next day depending on the time of pick-up.

Flow chart for sharpening service

1. Fill out the form or reach us via WhatsApp

Complete the form below and submit it. Alternatively, you can send us a message on WhatsApp with a photo of your kitchen knives to be sharpened.

2. Receive Your Quote

We will assess the condition of your knives and confirm the price. If you are satisfied with the quote, proceed with the payment.

3. Ship us your knives

Wrap the knives safely and ship them to us. Refer to the video for shipping instructions. For customers in Amsterdam, same-day in-person pick-up and delivery service is available for more than 5 knives.

4. We hand-sharpen your knife

W‍e sharpen your knives with utmost care. This usually takes 1-2 days.

5. We ship you back your knives

We will wrap the knives safely and ship them to your address.

Knives that we do not sharpen

There are certain types of kitchen knives that we do not sharpen. These include:
-Knives with inward curves
-Knives made from extremely hard materials
-Knives with blades longer than 40 cm (excluding the handle)

For specific examples of knives we do not sharpen, please refer to the detailed list below.

Serrated blade
eg. bread knife
Honyaki
Special materials
eg. ZDP, ceramic, any material over 65HRC appoximately
Inwardly curved blades
eg. peeling knife

If you are unsure whether your knives qualify for our sharpening service, please send us a photo of the knives via WhatsApp for clarification.

Blades not exclusively for cooking

Cautions

Please note the following:
-Hand sharpening may result in some scratch marks on the blade. See photos of before and after below.
-Some kitchen knives have coatings on the surface and sharpening will scratch off the coatings.
-If you use a hard chopping board, we recommend Western finish for long-lasting sharpness as well as durability.
-Even with Western finish, avoid hitting the edge roughly on the chopping board to maintain sharpness. We do not refund for chipping.
-On the part of the blade sharpened, which refer to as mirror finish, you see fine lines of the mark. Therefore, if your knife is mirror finished by the manufacturer, the sharpened part does not look as the mirror part. See the photos of the sharpened knives below.
-Additional charges may apply for blades with significant chipping.
-If you send us knives that we do not sharpen, we will return them to your address.
-If you're unsure about anything, contact us via WhatsApp with a photo of the knife.
Complaints arising from ignoring the cautions will not be considered. See this page for general knife maintenance.

Form for Sharpening Service

Please fill out the form below for our sharpening service. We will calculate the cost and send you a quote. For an estimate, refer to the price table. Your sharpening request is confirmed once payment is completed.
If you're unsure whether your kitchen knives qualify for our service, feel free to inquire via WhatsApp with a photo of your knives.

Japanese Finish: Features the thinnest and sharpest clamshell edge (see below about clamshell edge), ideal for precise cuts.
Western Finish: Thicker and tougher to prevent chipping, providing durability yet far sharper than machine sharpening.
If you prioritize blade toughness, opt for the Western finish. BOTH OF THEM ARE SHARPENED BY HAND
Thank you! We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
<17cm
17-22cm
22-27cm
27-33cm
33cm<
Repair
Double edged, Western finish
€24
€32
€36
€40
€44
+50%
Double edged, Japanese finish
€39
€49
€54
€59
€64
+50%
Single edged blades and Japanese knives
€49
€54
€59
€64
€69
+80%
The price for sharpening varies based on the blade type, length, and desired finish.
Repair charges apply for the deformed blades or ones with large chipping.
Double edge refers to the blade ordinary Western knives have. Single edge is common among Japanese knives.
If you don't know which type your knife is, you can just skip filling out or send us a photo of the knife via WhatsApp.

What's so special about our hand sharpening
and how we do it

At Tohg, we pride ourselves on providing a sharpening service that stands out from the rest. Unlike most, we hand sharpen kitchen knives, allowing for precise control and the creation of the coveted clamshell edge. This technique enhances both sharpness and durability, ideal for those seeking uncompromising precision.

1. Meticulous Process:
Assessment:

We carefully evaluate the knife's condition.
Planning:
Determine the optimal sharpening and finishing method.
Whetstone Selection:
Choose from over 20 high-quality stones tailored to your knife's material and desired finish.
Sharpening Steps:
-Reform the blade for an ideal curve.
-Thin the edge using 200-400 grit whetstones.
-Smooth the surface to eliminate deep scratches with 1000-2000 grit stones.
-Perform middle sharpening with 3000-8000 grit stones to form the clamshell edge.
-Finalize the sharpening with natural whetstones or 8000-12000 grit stones.

2. Premium Materials:
We use only the finest Japanese whetstones, ensuring exceptional quality and performance.

3. Expert Craftsmanship:
Our skilled sharpener, trained by top expert at Ichimonji, bring years of experience to every knife, providing care and precision unmatched in the industry.

4. Superior Results:
Precision and Durability:

Our hand-sharpened knives offer unparalleled sharpness and longevity, maintaining a superior edge over machine-sharpened blades.
Attention to Detail:
The clamshell finish, a mark of true craftsmanship, cannot be achieved with machine sharpening, which often distorts the blade's edge.

5. Long-Term Value:
the sharpness of the kitchen knives we sharpen lasts extensively longer, making our service cost-efficient in the long term.

While our service is more time-consuming and costly, the investment is well worth it. Experience the unparalleled sharpness and durability of a knife sharpened by Tohg, and elevate your culinary skills to new heights.

Secondary Edge
Razor Edge
Clamshell Edge

The edge of the blade is thick, preventing itself from entering ingredients smoothly. Most kitchen have this edge in the beginning.

An extremely thin edge, making the blade very sharp but also quite brittle and prone to chipping.

The curved cutting edge maintains a thick blade while tapering to a thin, sharp endpoint. This design ensures both sharpness and excellent durability, providing a balance between cutting efficiency and longevity.

Japanese Honba- Clamshell edge finish

"Honba," meaning "true blade" in Japanese, refers to a thinner sharpening finish favored by professionals who demand uncompromising sharpness. As shown in the photos below, the honba finish enhances sharpness by thinning the blade.
However, even with clamshell finish this increased sharpness also makes the blade more brittle. Therefore we recommend the honba finish for those skilled in maintaining a sharp edge, such as using soft chopping boards and proper cutting techniques.

Before and After
Before
After
Before
After

Why Choose Our Service?

See the differences between our service and others

Ordinary Sharpening Service

Our Hand-sharpening Service

Uses machines, causing unnecessary reduction in knife size
Minimal reduction in blade size due to precise hand sharpening
Keeps the edge thick
Thins the blade for enhanced sharpness while maintaining durability
Dulls quickly
Longer-lasting sharpness, reducing the frequency of service needed
Leaves scratch marks
Mirror-finished sharpened surface
Takes long to complete, leaving you without a knife
Takes just a day (same-day sharpening with substitute knives available in Amsterdam)

Before and After Sharpening and Cleaning

Art
of
Sharpening