How to sharpen a Xiaomi knife: from musat to diamond bars

Why Xiaomi knives require a special approach to sharpening

Xiaomi knives are not just kitchen accessories, but high-tech products with unique characteristics. Unlike traditional knives, they are often made of Japanese VG10 steel or Damascus steel with a multi-layer structure, which requires a specific approach to sharpening. For example, the Mijia Smart Knife model has a sharpening angle of 15-17 °, whereas European knives are usually sharpened at 20-22 °. Wrong technique can spoil the microstructure of the blade or even lead to chips.

Another feature is the coating. Many Xiaomi knives (like the Yeelight Smart Knife series) are ceramic-sprayed or ceramic-based. PVD-A coating that protects against corrosion but requires careful handling, and abrasive materials with large grains (such as cheap sharpeners) can erase this coating in a few passes. Therefore, before sharpening, it is important to determine the type of steel and the presence of a protective layer - this information is usually indicated on the packaging or in the instructions.

In addition, Xiaomi knives often feature ergonomic handles made from the G10 or the miscarta that do not tolerate overheating. If you use an electric sharpener, the blade can heat up to 60-70°C, which deforms the adhesive layer between the handle and the tail, which is not critical for functionality, but spoils the appearance and tactile sensation.

How to determine if the Xiaomi knife is blunted: 5 signs

The first and most obvious sign is that the knife doesn't cut, it crumples the food, and if you feel resistance when you cut tomatoes or cucumbers, and you have uneven edges on the cut, it's time to think about sharpening.

• 🔪 The blade slides off solid products (such as carrots or potatoes) instead of crashing into the carrot.
• 🍅 When cutting soft products (tomatoes, avocados) are left torn edges instead of a clean cut.
• 🧀 The knife does not hold a line when cutting cheese or sausage - cuts are obtained curves.
• 💧 After washing, drops of water remain on the blade, which do not roll, but spread out (a sign of microzazubrin).
• 🔊 When cutting, a grinding or whistle appears - this blade "clings" to the product due to irregularities.

It is especially critical to monitor the sharpness of Xiaomi knives with asymmetric sharpening (for example, the Xiaomi Youpin Knife 7Cr17MoV model). Such knives sharpen only on one side, and if they are not sharpened correctly, the blade balance will be disturbed, which will lead to uncontrolled displacement during cutting. You can check the sharpness with a simple test: take a sheet of office paper and try to cut a thin strip. A sharp knife will do it without effort, a blunt knife will tear the paper or slip.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse blunting with edge piling, which is when the blade is deformed by impacts (for example, if you cut bones or frozen foods). In this case, a conventional sharpening will not help - you will need alignment on a flat bar.

Ways to sharpen Xiaomi knives: a comparison of methods

The choice of sharpening method depends on the type of steel, the degree of blunting and your experience. Below is a comparative table with the pros and cons of each method:

For Xiaomi ceramic-coated knives (such as Xiaomi Smartmi Knife), it is better to avoid diamond bars and electric sharpeners - they are too aggressive. The best choice is a ceramic bar with a grain of 1000/3000 or Japanese water stones (such as King or Naniwa). If the knife is blunted slightly, enough musat with a fine notch.

Step-by-step: how to sharpen a Xiaomi knife musatom

Musat (or khon) is the perfect tool for maintaining sharpness between the main sharpenings. It does not remove much metal, but only aligns micro-dents at the edge. Xiaomi knives are suitable for a small or medium-sized musat (for example, Wüsthof 26 cm or Global).

1. Preparation: Hold the musat vertically (e.g., by holding the handle to the table) and hold it at an angle of 15-20° to the surface.
2. Start of movement: Take the knife by the handle, place the blade at the base of the musat at the same angle as the angle of sharpening the knife (usually 15-17° for Xiaomi).
3. Smoothly drive the knife down the musat, pressing slightly. The movement should be from the handle to the tip (not back!). Repeat 5-7 times for each side.
4. Check: After sharpening, wipe the blade with a wet cloth and check the sharpness on the paper.

The key is to keep the angle. If you change it in the process, the edge will be uneven. For knives with asymmetric sharpening (for example, Xiaomi Youpin Santoku), sharpen only the work side, and treat the back side 2-3 times less often.

Moussat angle to surface - 15-20°|

Knife angle to musat - 15-17°|

Only downward movement (handle to tip) |

5-7 passes for each side |

Screening of sharpness on paper-->

⚠️ Note: Do not use a large-sized knives notch on Xiaomi – it leaves too deep scratches on soft steels (e.g., stainless steels, 7Cr17MoV). If there is metal shavings on the moussate, clean it with a brass brush before use.

Sharpening the Xiaomi knife on bars: technique for beginners

The bars (or grinding stones) allow the blade to be rebuilt even after severe blunting. Xiaomi knives are recommended to use double-sided bars with a grain of 1000/3000 or 800/2000. If the knife is severely damaged (for example, after cutting bones), start with a grain of 400, but remember: this removes a lot of metal and shortens the life of the blade.

Sharpening technique:

1. Preparation of the bar: Soak the bar in water for 10-15 minutes (if it is water stone) or just sprinkle with water (use a special oil for oil bars).
2. Sharpening angle: Place the knife on the bar at an angle of 15°. To withstand the angle, you can use a magnetic holder or fold a piece of paper in 3 layers - its thickness (~0.3 mm) corresponds to an angle of 15° on a standard bar.
3. Movement: Drive the knife across the bar from you, pressing evenly. Start at the heel of the blade, then proceed to the tip. Make 10-15 passes on each side.
4. Change of grain: After rough sharpening (for example, on the grain 1000), repeat the process on a small bar (3000) to polish the edge.
5. Removal of the burrs: After sharpening the bar on the blade, a microscopic burrs form. To remove it, make 2-3 easy passes along a musat or leather belt.

For knives with Damascus pattern (e.g. Xiaomi Mijia Damask Knife), use bars with uniform graining - this will preserve the pattern of steel. Avoid bars with uneven abrasives (e.g., some Chinese "diamond" stones), as they can spoil the pattern.

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If you don't have a bar, you can use the back of a ceramic plate (unglazed surface), which is a temporary solution for fine editing, but it won't replace a full-fledged sharpening.

What not to do when sharpening knives Xiaomi

Xiaomi knives are sensitive to improper sharpening due to the high hardness of steel and thin edge. Here are 5 critical errors that lead to blade damage:

• 🔥 Blade overheating: When using an electric sharpener or prolonged sharpening on a bar, the blade can heat up above 50°C. This causes the steel to release -- it loses its hardness, and the knife blunts faster. Always take breaks and cool the blade in the water.
• 🔨 Using a "Bulgar" or sandpaper: These tools remove too much metal and leave deep scratches. For Xiaomi knives with a thin blade (such as Xiaomi Youpin Chef Knife), this is tantamount to spoiling.
• 🧲 Magnetic holders with wrong angle: Many magnetic guides fix the angle 20-25°, It's too much for Xiaomi knives, and it leads to thickening of the edge and loss of cutting properties.
• 💦 Dry sharpening: The lubricant-free slurry (water or oil) is clogged with metal dust that scratches the blade. Always use lubricant, even if the bar is positioned as "dry".
• ⚖️ Uneven pressure: If you push the heel of the blade harder than the tip, the knife will turn out asymmetrical. This is especially critical for Xiaomi knives with laser sharpening (for example, Xiaomi Smartmi Laser Knife), where the edge balance is calculated to within microns.

Xiaomi knives coated with TiN (titanium nitride) can not be sharpened with diamond bars - this erases the protective layer and exposes the steel, which leads to corrosion. If you are not sure about the type of coating, use a ceramic bar or contact a professional.

Care for a Xiaomi knife after sharpening: 3 rules

Sharpening is only half the battle, and to keep the Xiaomi knife sharper for longer, follow these guidelines:

1. Storage: Never store a knife in a drawer without protection — even a little friction on other devices will blunt the edge. Use a magnetic strip, a wooden block or a microfiber case. For knives with Damascus steel (for example, Xiaomi Mijia Damask), a leather case will fit — it prevents oxidation.
2. Washing: Wash the knife only by hand with a mild detergent. Dishwasher spoils the handle and can cause corrosion on high-carbon steels (such as VG10).
3. Use: Do not cut frozen foods, bones or hard nuts, this will deform the edge. Use a special knife or kitchen axe for such tasks.

If the Xiaomi knife has a wooden handle (for example, the Xiaomi Youpin Wooden Handle Knife model), once a month treat it with mineral oil (for example, flaxseed or tung), this will prevent cracking and preserve water repellent properties.

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Regular editing on musat (once every 1-2 weeks) reduces the need for deep sharpening on bars and prolongs the life of the knife by 30-50%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about sharpening Xiaomi knives