APPLICATION TIPS AND FREQUENT QUESTIONS
We like sharp knives. In order for you to take the best out of your favourite dishes, we share with you our experience of grinding knives for over 25 years.
Sharpeners
HORL2 Cruise, HORL2 & HORL2 Pro
1. How can I clean the diamond and ceramic discs?
To remove grinding residue of the diamond and ceramic discs, cleaning with a pencil eraser is sufficient. If necessary, the HORL diamond can be unscrewed and thoroughly washed in warm water, with a little washing-up liquid and a brush.
2. How long does the HORL diamond last?
When used properly, the HORL diamond does not need to be replaced. The industrial diamonds we use are suitable for efficiently sharpening all knife steels of any degree of hardness without water. When a HORL diamond is used for the very first time, some excess diamond particles are eliminated. This is audible, but quite normal and occurs only once. After a few minutes, grinding will become quieter and the grinding disc’s surface much finer. The grit of the disc should now be only slightly rough to the bare finger. The disc has reached its working surface condition. Use it only to sharpen smooth, straight blades.
3. How can I change the grinding discs?
Enclose the HORL sharpener firmly with one hand. With the other hand, the desired grinding disc is turned up in an opposite movement. After changing, the grinding discs should again be mounted on the sharpener with the screws tightly screwed down by hand. The grinding discs can be changed on the model HORL2, HORL2 Pro and the first generation HORL sharpeners.
4. How do I sharpen knives that are higher than the HORL sharpener?
To grind particularly broad blades, where the cutting edge stands higher than the grinding disc, elevate the sharpener with a suitably thick cutting board to ensure contact with the cutting edge is within the radius of the grinding disc.
5. How long do I have to sharpen the blade before my knife is sharp?
The amount of time required will vary when a knife is sharpened for the first time with the HORL2, depending on the condition of the blade and the quality of the steel. On average, it takes five minutes. The edge must first acquire the chosen 15° or 20°grinding angle. However, thanks to the constant grinding angle, only a few rolls back and forth are needed for subsequent resharpening.
6. How to tell if the desired sharpening angle has been reached?
Use the marker pen method to visually check the success of the grinding process. Carefully draw the felt tip of a marker pen along the entire knife edge, so that it simultaneously leaves ink on both sides. Once the ink is removed by grinding on both sides, the desired angle is achieved.
7. Can I also sharpen Damascus knives with the HORL sharpener?
Although damascus knives are often made of harder steel than most ordinary knives, a hardness degree of beyond 60 HRC is no problem for the sharpener. You can use the sharpener to sharpen any steel knife. Due to the even application without any concentrated strain, the sharpener sharpens even the most precious knives with the highest precision. Due to the constant grinding angle, only the material that prevents the knife from becoming sharp again is removed.
8. Can I also sharpen ceramic knives with the HORL sharpener?
In general, the sharpener is well suited to also sharpen ceramic knives. However, since ceramic is not magnetic, the angle must be maintained by hand.
9. Are all kitchen knives magnetic?
Every hardened knife steel is magnetic due to its iron or carbon content. Therefore, knives also known as "stainless steel" are usually magnetic. There are different stainless steels for different applications. There are magnetic and anti-magnetic stainless steels. An anti-magnetic stainless steel is used for example for kitchen sinks or the like. However, this would not be suitable for hardening, let alone for producing a powerful knife from it.
10. Do I need water when I sharpen knives with the HORL sharpener?
You do not need water to sharpen knives with the sharpener because no significant heat is generated due to the smooth rolling movements. The diamond coating is also designed just to be used dry. The additionally available HORL whetstones fine and extra fine also achieve top results when used dry. However, when using the Kagami we recommend moistening the surface to attain mirror sharp results.
11. Can I sharpen scissors with the HORL sharpener?
The sharpener is primarily designed to sharpen large and small kitchen knives. Therefore, due to the possibility of a great difference in grinding angles, sharpening scissors, scythes or other tools with the sharpener is not recommended.
12. Can I sharpen my cutlery knife with the HORL sharpener?
Cutlery knives often have fine serrations which cannot be sharpened with a sharpener. However, smooth cutlery knives can be sharpened without any problem. However, the HORL sharpener is primarily suitable for high-quality steels of chef's and kitchen knives.
13. Can I sharpen my outdoor knife / hunting knife with the HORL sharpener?
In the outdoor and hunting knife sector the blade geometries are often quite exotic, which cannot always be sharpened optimally with the HORL sharpener. The basic rule to follow is: the cutting edge must be smooth and the knife should also lie flat and correctly against the magnetic angle support. Outdoor and pocket knives often have a stable angle, so it is advisable to select the 20 degree angle for grinding.
14. Do I grind my knife with 15° or 20° degrees?
In principle, kitchen knives of any quality can be sharpened at 20°. However, depending on the condition of the blade and the quality of the steel, many knives can be sharpened to an even finer edge at 15°. You can find out whether your knives are suitable for this by sharpening them on the 15° side for three to five minutes. If the sharpness is not satisfactory, it is advisable to use the 20° grinding angle.
15. What is the difference between the grinding angle and the cutting angle?
The grinding angle is the angle at which the knife is machined from one side. Since most knives are ground on both sides, the grinding angle (e.g. 15°) is also ground in from both sides. After grinding both sides with 15° grinding angle, a 30° cutting edge or 30° cutting angle is obtained. Therefore, the cutting angle is usually twice the grinding angle.
16. What do I do if my knife has a different grinding angle?
For knives that have been sharpened freely by hand until now, the angle usually varies after each sharpening. For this reason, the actual grinding angle can often not be determined. Therefore, it is worthwhile to sharpen your knives once with the HORL sharpener and the magnetic angle support to a constant grinding angle which can be reproduced with each sharpening process. Use the marker pen method to visually check the success of the grinding process.
17. Can I sharpen small knives with the HORL sharpener?
To sharpen small knives, attach the knife to the magnetic angle support with the blade facing upwards so that the cutting edge is level and protrudes above the HORL S-Pad. In this case, the spine will not touch the worktop.
Grinding Discs
HORL Kagami, HORL Whetstones & HORL Diamond
1. How can I change the grinding discs?
Enclose the HORL sharpener firmly with one hand. With the other hand, the desired grinding disc is turned up in an opposite movement. After changing, the grinding discs should again be mounted on the sharpener with the screws tightly screwed down by hand. The grinding discs can be changed on the model HORL2, HORL2 Pro and the first generation HORL sharpeners.
2. What grit size does the HORL Kagami have?
Due to its nature and the way the HORL Kagami is made, it is not possible to define a grit size according to the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard). However, the result with the HORL Kagami is the smoothest we have ever achieved, after comparing it with over 20 other abrasive materials (natural and artificial) in our research lab. The HORL Kagami is the finest whetstone on the HORL fine grinding scale. It is an ultra-fine whetstone that makes it possible to achieve a mirror-like sharpness, which is three times as smooth as the result after using the fine and extra-fine whetstones of the HORL Premium Set.
3. How long will the HORL Kagami last?
Service life will of course depend on how often it is used. The HORL Kagami is very tough and only polishes the knife edge to a mirror-like finish after you have already used the HORL whetstones fine and extra fine. Used correctly, the HORL Kagami scarcely suffers any wear.
4. How should I clean the HORL Kagami?
Repeatedly wiping the whetstone with a damp cloth during the sharpening process will achieve the best possible sharpening result. When dry, it is possible to clean the HORL Kagami effectively with a pencil eraser.
5. How do I use HORL Kagami correctly?
Firstly, ensure that the blade is free of any burr and make full use of the HORL Premium Set. The best way to obtain mirror-sharp results is to polish your knife for at least five minutes per side with the dry HORL Kagami. The longer you polish, the smoother the result will ultimately be. Important when using the ultra-fine whetstone: Clean the blade and the whetstone from time to time to avoid abrasive particles scratching the surface while you create the mirror-like edge. As a final step, moisten the HORL Kagami slightly and polish for one minute on each side.
6. How can I clean the HORL whetstones fine and extra fine?
You can clean the HORL whetstones fine and extra fine with an eraser.
7. How long do the HORL whetstones last?
The service life of the HORL whetstones depends on the use. The HORL whetstone extra fine wears off faster than the HORL whetstone fine. To make sure that the whetstones last as long as possible, make sure that your knife is sharpened on both sides with the HORL diamond and the HORL ceramic before using the whetstones. The cutting edge should be burr-free to prevent massive abrasion of the stones. Clean the whetstones, the HORL magnetic angle support and the knife before and after each sharpening process.
8. How can I change the grinding discs?
Enclose the HORL sharpener firmly with one hand. With the other hand, the desired grinding disc is turned up in an opposite movement. After changing, the grinding discs should again be mounted on the sharpener with the screws tightly screwed down by hand. The grinding discs can be changed on the model HORL2, HORL2 Pro and the first generation HORL sharpeners.
9. In which order do I grind with the HORL Premium Set?
Basically, the coarsest grain size is used first and the finest is used last. We start with the HORL diamond to grind the knife completely. Afterwards the ceramic honing disc is used, followed by the HORL whetstone fine and extra fine. At the end strop a few times with the HORL Leather.
10. How can I clean the diamond and ceramic discs?
To remove grinding residue of the diamond and ceramic discs, cleaning with a pencil eraser is sufficient. If necessary, the HORL diamond can be unscrewed and thoroughly washed in warm water, with a little washing-up liquid and a brush.
11. How long does the HORL diamond last?
When used properly, the HORL diamond does not need to be replaced. The industrial diamonds we use are suitable for efficiently sharpening all knife steels of any degree of hardness without water. When a HORL diamond is used for the very first time, some excess diamond particles are eliminated. This is audible, but quite normal and occurs only once. After a few minutes, grinding will become quieter and the grinding disc’s surface much finer. The grit of the disc should now be only slightly rough to the bare finger. The disc has reached its working surface condition. Use it only to sharpen smooth, straight blades.
Accessories
HORL Premium Set, HORL Dock, & HORL Leather
1. In which order do I grind with the HORL Premium Set?
Basically, the coarsest grain size is used first and the finest is used last. We start with the HORL diamond to grind the knife completely. Afterwards the ceramic honing disc is used, followed by the HORL whetstone fine and extra fine. At the end strop a few times with the HORL Leather.
2. What do I use the HORL Leather for?
After grinding, the HORL Leather removes even the finest abrasive particles and ensures a clean, smooth blade. Strop both sides of the blade with a slight pressure on the leather, always swiping the blade towards the knife‘s spine. If you feel a slight scratching when you pull the blade over the leather, this is a sign of burr. Removing it only requires a few movements with the diamond and honing side of the sharpener. The knife can then be wiped again over the HORL Leather.
3. For which models are the HORL Dock colors intended?
The HORL Dock in graphite provides a sophisticated contrast to the oak and walnut woods of the HORL2, while the HORL Dock in dark bronze matches precisely the color of the HORL2 Pro.
4. Are the grinding discs stations still available?
We have decided to discontinue the grinding disc station product. HORL grinding discs can be stored in their packaging or in the HORL Box.
5. Is the HORL Dock suitable for HORL sharpeners of the first generation?
Yes, you can store your first-generation HORL sharpener in the HORL Dock.
6. What material is the HORL Dock made of?
The HORL Dock is made of aluminium.
General
KNIVES
1. How do I sharpen knives that are higher than the HORL sharpener?
To grind particularly broad blades, where the cutting edge stands higher than the grinding disc, elevate the sharpener with a suitably thick cutting board to ensure contact with the cutting edge is within the radius of the grinding disc.
2. Can I also sharpen Damascus knives with the HORL sharpener?
Although damascus knives are often made of harder steel than most ordinary knives, a hardness degree of beyond 60 HRC is no problem for the sharpener. You can use the sharpener to sharpen any steel knife. Due to the even application without any concentrated strain, the sharpener sharpens even the most precious knives with the highest precision. Due to the constant grinding angle, only the material that prevents the knife from becoming sharp again is removed.
3. Can I also sharpen ceramic knives with the HORL sharpener?
In general, the sharpener is well suited to also sharpen ceramic knives. However, since ceramic is not magnetic, the angle must be maintained by hand.
4. Are all kitchen knives magnetic?
Every hardened knife steel is magnetic due to its iron or carbon content. Therefore, knives also known as "stainless steel" are usually magnetic. There are different stainless steels for different applications. There are magnetic and anti-magnetic stainless steels. An anti-magnetic stainless steel is used for example for kitchen sinks or the like. However, this would not be suitable for hardening, let alone for producing a powerful knife from it.
5. Do I need water when I sharpen knives with the HORL sharpener?
You do not need water to sharpen knives with the sharpener because no significant heat is generated due to the smooth rolling movements. The diamond coating is also designed just to be used dry. The additionally available HORL whetstones fine and extra fine also achieve top results when used dry. However, when using the Kagami we recommend moistening the surface to attain mirror sharp results.
6. Can I sharpen my cutlery knife with the HORL sharpener?
Cutlery knives often have fine serrations which cannot be sharpened with a sharpener. However, smooth cutlery knives can be sharpened without any problem. However, the HORL sharpener is primarily suitable for high-quality steels of chef's and kitchen knives.
7. Can I sharpen my outdoor knife / hunting knife with the HORL sharpener?
In the outdoor and hunting knife sector the blade geometries are often quite exotic, which cannot always be sharpened optimally with the HORL sharpener. The basic rule to follow is: the cutting edge must be smooth and the knife should also lie flat and correctly against the magnetic angle support. Outdoor and pocket knives often have a stable angle, so it is advisable to select the 20 degree angle for grinding.
8. What do I do if my knife has a different grinding angle?
For knives that have been sharpened freely by hand until now, the angle usually varies after each sharpening. For this reason, the actual grinding angle can often not be determined. Therefore, it is worthwhile to sharpen your knives once with the HORL sharpener and the magnetic angle support to a constant grinding angle which can be reproduced with each sharpening process. Use the marker pen method to visually check the success of the grinding process.
9. Can I sharpen small knives with the HORL sharpener?
To sharpen small knives, attach the knife to the magnetic angle support with the blade facing upwards so that the cutting edge is level and protrudes above the HORL S-Pad. In this case, the spine will not touch the worktop.
Scissors
HORL Scissors
1. How frequently do I need to sharpen my HORL Scissors?
This depends on how much you use them. If regularly used for very fine cutting, we recommend you sharpen them when necessary. You can detect whether your scissors need sharpening by carefully running a cotton swab over the cutting edges. It is time to resharpen if any fibers are pulled out.
2. Can I use HORL Scissors if I am left-handed?
Yes, HORL Scissors are ergonomically designed for use by left-handers as well. Although it is true that they do deliver optimum cutting performance when used in the right hand.
3. What materials can be cut with HORL Scissors?
HORL Scissors are best suited for use with textiles, paper, packaging, foils and other soft plastics. The tip is ideal for making fine cuts. For harder materials, it is best to use the cutting edge closer to the joint. Never try to cut metal, wood or wire – these can damage the scissors and would invalidate the warranty.
4. How do I separate the scissor halves?
Grasp the handles of the scissors with both hands and open them to a wide angle of 115°. You will then feel some resistance to opening further – carefully overcome this and the two halves will separate. To guard against injury, never try to divide the scissors with one hand.
5. What is the correct way to sharpen HORL Scissors?
First separate the scissor halves. Then stand the upper half of the scissors on its three contact surfaces – this automatically ensures an optimum grinding angle of 45°. Hold the scissor half down with your fingers in the handle eye and on the inner side. Press a little on the scissor half while you roll the ceramic disc back and forth along the cutting edge for 30 seconds. At the tip of the blade each time, turn the sharpener inwards a little and direct it in a slight curve. First reassemble the scissors and snip three to five times in the air to remove any burr before repeating the above to sharpen the lower half of the scissors.
6. How should I take care of my HORL Scissors?
Clean around the clamp area and both halves of the scissors regularly with a damp cloth and then dry them, especially the clamp. Make sure they remain dry by storing them away from moisture (e.g. in their original packaging).
7. Can I resharpen the HORL Scissors with other sharpeners?
HORL Scissors were designed for sharpening with a HORL Sharpener. The use of other types of sharpener is likely to shorten the service life of the scissors and invalidates the warranty.
8. Can I put my HORL Scissors in the dishwasher?
No, the high temperatures and harsh cleaning agents of a dishwasher can damage their material and cutting edge. Only clean your scissors by hand and be sure to keep the clamp area dry.