When should you sharpen your kitchen knife? Timing for sharpening and how to use the "Resharpening Ticket" [2026 Edition]

Hello, I’m Okudaira, the owner of Japan Knife Toku.

We are a Japanese knife specialty shop in Asakusa, Tokyo. We carry knives made by skilled craftsmen from across Japan, including Sakai, Osaka. We also offer professional sharpening, knife repair, and sharpening workshops.

Sharpening Ticket

If you have purchased a knife from us, either online or in our shop, you may have noticed a small white folded card included with your purchase.

When you open it, you will find a free sharpening ticket at the bottom.

There is no expiration date, so please keep it and use it whenever your knife needs sharpening.

If you purchased your knife at our shop, simply bring the knife and the ticket to us.

If you purchased online and cannot easily bring the knife to our shop, you can also send it to us by mail. In that case, the customer is responsible for the shipping costs both ways.

When Should You Sharpen Your Knife?

One of the questions I’m asked most often is:

“How often should I sharpen my knife?”

My answer is simple:

“When your knife starts slipping on the skin of a tomato instead of cutting into it, it’s time to sharpen it.”

Of course, everyone uses their knives differently, so there is no fixed schedule that works for everyone.

As a general guideline, if you cook at home every day, I recommend having your knife professionally sharpened about once every three months.

How Can You Tell If Your Knife Is Dull?

So, what actually makes a knife sharp or dull?

Some people think a knife is still sharp as long as they can cut a tomato with it. But if the tomato gets crushed instead of being cleanly sliced, the knife is no longer cutting properly — it is crushing and tearing the food.

A good way to check is to look at the cut surface.

If the surface is not smooth and clean, and instead looks rough or crushed, your knife is probably dull.

Check Your Knife!

Let's check the condition of your knife.

Don't have a tomato nearby? No problem.

You can also use a sheet of printer paper or an advertising flyer.

Try cutting the paper with your knife.

• If the blade does not catch the paper, your knife is dull.

• If it catches but the cut edge looks rough or frayed, it may need sharpening.

• If the blade gets stuck while cutting, that is also a good sign that it is time to sharpen your knife.

So, how did your knife do?

Is it still cutting smoothly?

You can sharpen your knife yourself, or take it to a local professional sharpening service.

And if you don't have a sharpening service nearby, you are always welcome to use our Sharpening Ticket or our regular sharpening service.

In fact, a knife can sometimes become sharper than when it was brand new after a proper professional sharpening.

If you've never had your knife professionally sharpened, I highly recommend giving it a try.

About Japan Knife Toku

Japan Knife Toku is a Japanese knife specialty shop in Asakusa, Tokyo.

We offer:

• A wide selection of Japanese knives for home cooks and professionals

• Personal advice to help you choose the right knife

• Professional sharpening and knife repair

• Handle replacement

• Sharpening workshops and hands-on sharpening experiences

For us, selling a knife is not the end of the relationship.

A good Japanese knife can last for many years, and we want to support you throughout its life — from choosing the right knife to maintaining and sharpening it.

Store Information — Asakusa

Japan Knife Toku, Asakusa
Opened April 2025

Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 6F NW Building, 1-11-4 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo

• 1-minute walk from the North Exit of Asakusa Station (Tobu Skytree Line)

• 4-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)

Please take the elevator to the 6th floor.

You are always welcome to stop by, even if you are just browsing or would like some advice.

SNS & Contact

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Please feel free to contact us.。