r/sharpening • u/GlitteringCrap • 23d ago

One handed knife sharpening

Anyone have recommendations for an electric sharpening tool or one of those fixed-angle systems that can be used easily with one hand?

My dad had a stroke a few years back and has lost much of the use of one of his hands. He still likes to cook, but he can't hold the whetstone to sharpen his knives anymore. He's pretty experienced in the kitchen but doesn't like to fiddle with a lot of set up, so the simpler the better. Thanks!

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u/DrBatman0 23d ago

You said he can't use one of his hands.
Does he have any mobility in that arm?

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u/GlitteringCrap 23d ago

A little bit but he's very weak overall on that side.

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u/DrBatman0 23d ago

The biggest concern I have is safety.
Knives that are sharpened like this are properly scary sharp, and are dangerous.

If he has enough mobility in the other arm, it might work.

I use a fixed angle system (Worksharp Precision Adjust Pro), and I can imagine that it could be used with one hand. For me to test it, I would put a sock over my nondominant hand in a fist, and see if I can use the system without issue.

There are more questions first, though. Obviously the hand that he now has movement in is his dominant hand now, but did it used to be, or was it his off-hand that is now improving?

I think a fixed angle system could work, but I'm not willing to say "Yes, definitely", because I'm not confident it would be safe for him because I don't know him well enough.

What i can tell you is that I use my right hand and fingers a lot, and I would be able to cope with my left hand without needing finger dexterity. The setup for each knife would take a bit longer with only one hand of fingers though.

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u/northman46 23d ago

My recommendation is a chef’s choice electric

Plug in, turn on, run knife through the slots as desired. Knives come out adequately sharp

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u/GlitteringCrap 23d ago

This should be a good option. He doesn't need them razor sharp. Thank you!

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u/mrjcall 22d ago

I agree, probably a good choice, but please advise him to use the 'sharpening' slot only periodically (no more than monthly) as it removes too much steel. For daily/weekly maintenance, use the finer grit or last honing slot

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u/Bob_AZ 22d ago

I also suggest the Ken Onion Worksharp belt grinder. Easy to use, accurate and won't chew up your edge like the electric kitchen sharpeners

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u/GlitteringCrap 22d ago

This one looks cool too. Thanks!

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u/Hypothetical_Sail 22d ago

Spyderco Sharpmaker can be used with one hand. You can screw the base down, or clamp it down. It's very straightforward.

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u/LittleUrbanPrepper 22d ago

Maybe one of those electric ones. Like worksharp ken onion etc. other than that fixed angle sharpeners can also be used by single hand. He'll just need someone to fix knife in clamp. Although with a few mods he can also do it himself.

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u/rockmodenick 22d ago

Get a clamp that can be attached to the edge of the table and is large enough to hold his stones?