A good knife should stay useful for years, not just the day you buy it.
That’s why every knife purchased from Community Cutlery includes free access to our online knife sharpening course. It’s a practical guide to whetstone sharpening and edge maintenance, designed to help you get the best from your knife long after it leaves the shop.
Whether you’re buying your first Japanese kitchen knife or adding to a growing collection, we’ll show you how to look after it properly.
Buying a proper kitchen knife is only part of the story. The real value comes from knowing how to maintain it.
Our online sharpening course has been created to give you a clear, practical introduction to sharpening at home. It covers the basic principles of whetstone sharpening, how to build confidence on the stone, and how to keep your knife performing well between sharpenings.
Knife sharpening isn't complicated, but it does take a concerted effort to learn, this course Is about helping you understand your knife, your edge, and the simple habits that keep good tools working properly.
Our online sharpening course covers the essentials of knife care and whetstone sharpening, including:
The course is designed for beginners, but it is also useful if you have sharpened before and want a clearer, more structured approach, most of our physical course attendees have sharpened before, they just need that little extra help to become consistent.
Every customer who buys a knife or whetstone from Community Cutlery receives free access to the online sharpening course.
This applies to knives bought through our website and knives bought in our Ilkley shop.
If you buy online, we’ll send the access details by email after your purchase. If you buy in-store, you just need to input your email address at the till and it will auomatically be sent out.
We believe a good knife should be looked after properly.
Sharp knives are safer, more enjoyable to use, and better for the ingredients you’re preparing. A well-maintained edge makes everyday cooking easier, whether you’re chopping vegetables, slicing meat, or doing fine prep work.
Including sharpening guidance with every knife purchase is part of how we do things. We want you to feel confident using your knife, maintaining it, and knowing when it needs attention.
To follow the course properly, you’ll need a whetstone and a strop.
A good starting point for most people is a coarse/medium combination stone, which is suitable for regular sharpening and general edge maintenance. We stock a small, carefully chosen range of whetstones and sharpening accessories, and we’re happy to help you choose the right setup for your knife.
Similar, the instructional content of this online course is based on the same content as our face to face classes, but you can watch at home and return to whenever you need to.
The main difference is that our in-person sharpening classes can go further, in terms of giving you hands-on guidance, feedback on your technique, and the chance to ask questions while you practise. If you want to build confidence quickly, or you’ve tried sharpening before and struggled, an in-person class is still the best way to learn, although be warned that they sell out very far in advance, so book ahead!
You don’t have to sharpen everything yourself.
If your knife is very blunt, damaged, chipped, or you simply want it professionally restored, we will always offer knife sharpening in our Ilkley workshop and by post. The online course is there to help with regular maintenance, but our workshop is always available when your knife needs more work.
The best sharpening routine starts with a knife worth maintaining.
Every knife we sell is chosen because we believe it offers proper value, good performance, and long-term usefulness. When you buy a knife from us, you’re not just buying the blade — you’re also getting the knowledge to look after it.
Yes. It is included free with every knife or whetstone purchase from Community Cutlery.
No. The course is included with every knife purchase.
Yes. If you buy a knife in our Ilkley shop, we can email the course access link to you.
Yes. The course is designed as a beginner-friendly introduction to whetstone sharpening and knife care.
Not always. The course has all the information to teach you how to sharpen properly, but you still need to make the effort to learn! If you don't have the time. or your knife is damaged, heavily dulled, or needs thinning or repair work, professional sharpening may still be the better option.
The course is currently included with knife purchases from Community Cutlery. If you already own a knife and want help learning to sharpen, our in-person sharpening classes are the best option.