Abrasive fingers

Independent, accurate and unbiased information about kitchen knives used for the preparation of food and how to sharpen them and keep them sharp

‘Abrasive fingers’ sharpener

This is a unique kind of knife sharpener. It comprises a series of interlocking flexible curved steel fingers arranged in two rows with a V-shaped opening between the two rows. The fingers are coated on the facing sides with crushed industrial diamonds.

One model comes with a compact storage case weighing about four ounces.

This is how the manufacturer suggests that the sharpener should be used:

‘… take the blade and place the heel between the fingers of the (sharpener); …hold the blade vertical for maximum accuracy; …pull the knife down and back through the fingers with pressure’

…’apply enough pressure to swipe the blade down and back deep through the diamond coated fingers, not just straight back. ‘ The ‘…down and back swiping action replicates the swipe …across a traditional honing steel. This produces (an) edge with the same micro-serrations produced by swiping across a diamond-coated steel…the many cutting points penetrate and spread the load during cutting lading to longer edge life …’.

You can read more about these sharpeners from the manufacturer ’s site here >>>

What we like about the abrasive fingers sharpeners:

oThey are easy to use

oThey produce a very sharp cutting edge quickly

oThe cutting edge is relatively long lasting

oFor the sharpening performance they are inexpensive

oThe are small and come with a compact storage container

What you might not like about the abrasive fingers sharpeners:

oThe angle are pre-set at 20 degrees, with only a limited capacity to alter the angle by tilting the blade as it is pulled between the fingers

oSome practice is required to perfect the ‘down and back’ sharpening swipe action

oThe sharpener is not suitable for serrated knives