How to sharpen knives with Xiaomi sharpener: a complete guide with expert advice

Why is Xiaomi sharpener the best choice for home kitchen?

Xiaomi’s knife sharpener has become a hit with kitchen gadgets with a combination of affordable price, compactness and efficiency. Unlike traditional grinding stones or mussats, this device offers an automatic sharpening mode with an adjustable angle, which makes the process easy even for beginners. But how to achieve perfect sharpness of the blade without spoiling it? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from the preparation of the knife to the final polishing, and also reveal secrets that the manufacturer does not always specify in the instructions.

Xiaomi sharpeners (such as the Mijia Knife Sharpener or Xiaomi Youpin Knife Sharpener Pro) are equipped with diamond and ceramic abrasives that are suitable for most types of steels, from stainless to Damascus. However, even the most advanced sharpener will not save a blunt knife if you choose the wrong mode or angle of sharpening.

What knives can be sharpened on a Xiaomi device?

Not all blades are suitable for automatic sharpening. Xiaomi sharpens are optimized for:

• 🔪 Kitchen knives (cooks, for meat, vegetables, bread) with a blade length of 10–25 cm.
• 🥩 Fillet knives and scraping knives (provided the blade is not more than 3 mm thick).
• ✂️ Scissors (only models with collapsible design, where the blades can be sharpened separately).

Here is what is not recommended to be sharpened:

• 🗡️ Knives with a jagged blade (for example, for bread with large teeth) – abrasive discs can damage the cutting edge.
• 🛡️ Ceramic knives – they require special diamond bars.
• 🔨 Axes, machetes, sabers - too thick steel quickly wears the sharpener.

If your knife falls into the “permitted” category but has strong chips or serrated marks, first hand-treat it on a grinding stone with a large grain (e.g. #220-#400). Xiaomi sharpener is designed to maintain sharpness, not to repair badly damaged blades.

Preparation of the knife and sharpener for work

Before you turn on the device, follow several mandatory steps:

Clean the knife blade of fat and food residues (use warm water with detergent)

Dry the knife and sharpener (moisture shortens the life of abrasives)

Check that the sharpener is on a flat surface (vibrations can shift the angle of sharpening)

Make sure the network cable (if any) is not twisted or stretched.-->

Pay special attention to the knife fastener. Xiaomi models usually have a magnetic holder or clip — it must fix the blade perpendicular to the abrasive discs. If the knife wobbles or shifts, the sharpening will be uneven. To check, you can slightly press the handle: if the blade remains stationary, the fixation is correct.

It is also worth considering that Xiaomi sharpeners with a battery (for example, the Mijia Knife Sharpener 2) require a full charge before the first use. Otherwise, the power may not be enough to process solid steels.

Selection of sharpening mode: rough vs. thin

Most Xiaomi sharpeners offer 2-3 modes, which differ in the speed of rotation of the disks and the type of abrasive:

Which regime to choose?

• 🔧 If the knife does not cut paper or slides off a tomato, start with a rough mode.
• ⚡ For prevention (1 time in 2-3 weeks) is enough average regimen.
• ✨ After rough sharpening, always finish with a thin mode - this will remove microscopic burrs.

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If your Xiaomi sharpener is making unusual grinding or vibration in rough mode, check if there is any small debris between the disks. Clean with a brush (companyed) and try again.

Important: don't get carried away with rough sharpening! Excessive use of this mode thins the blade, reducing the life of the knife. Optimal scheme: Rough → Medium → Thin with intervals of 1-2 minutes between stages.

The Right Spotting Angle: Why Is It Critical?

The angle at which the blade comes into contact with the abrasive determines the strength and sharpness of the cutting edge. Xiaomi sharpeners usually have a fixed angle of 15-20°, It's a good thing for most kitchen knives:

• 🥩 Meat/fish knives: optimal angle: 15–17° (sharper but less durable).
• 🥬 Universal cook knives: 18–22° (balance of sharpness and durability).
• 🍞 Bread knives: 20-25° (dull angle prevents teeth from cracking).

If your Xiaomi sharpener doesn’t adjust the angle automatically (as in the Youpin Knife Sharpener Pro model), use guide magnets or special limiters. For example, for a 15° angle, the blade must protrude ~3 mm above the holder (check the ruler).

An error of only 5° in coal can lead to:

• ❌ Scolam on the cutting edge (too sharp angle).
• ❌ A stupid sharpener (too stupid corner).
• ❌ Uneven wear of the blade (if the angle changes during the process).

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

Follow this algorithm for the perfect result:

1. Step 1: Hold the blade in the holder so that the cutting edge looks towards the rotation of the discs (usually marked by the arrow on the body).
2. Step 2. Select the mode Press the on button and select the desired mode (see the table above). For the first time, we recommend the sequence: Rough (3 min) → Medium (2 min) → Thin (1 min).
3. Step 3. Smoothly drive the knife from handle to tip, without stopping. Speed of movement - ~1 cm/s. Don't press the blade! Pressure must be minimal, otherwise you will overheat the steel.
4. Step 4: Acute check: Test the knife on a piece of paper, it should cut it under its own weight, without pressing. If the paper crumples, repeat sharpening in medium mode.

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Never sharpen the knife in the opposite direction (from tip to handle) - this leads to "hitting" of the cutting edge and requires additional editing.

After sharpening, it is mandatory:

• 🧼 Wash the blade with warm water to remove metal dust.
• 🧴 Apply a drop of mineral oil (for example, for sewing machines) to the edge – this will protect against corrosion.
• 🔌 Clean the sharpener with a soft brush (especially the grooves between the discs).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with an automatic sharpener, Xiaomi can make mistakes.

⚠️ Warning: If you have wavy bands on the blade after sharpening (like a saw), you have pushed too hard on the knife or used rough mode for longer than 5 minutes.+).

Mistake 1: Dry sharpening

Xiaomi sharpener abrasive discs require light lubrication to work efficiently. Usually, you have a bottle of oil in the kit — apply 1-2 drops to the discs before each use. Without lubrication, metal dust clogs the abrasive pores, and the sharpening quality drops.

Mistake 2: Uneven pressure

If you push the knife harder on one side, the blade will be oblique. To avoid this, hold the handle with two fingers (big and index) and control the force. Ideally, the weight of the knife should be distributed evenly throughout the length of the edge.

Mistake 3: Ignoring polishing

Many people miss the subtle mode, considering it "unnecessary." However, without polishing, there are microdents on the edge, which eventually lead to rapid blunting. Always complete the sharpening with 30-60 seconds in Fine mode.

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If your Xiaomi sharpener starts buzzing louder than usual, it is a sign of wear and tear of the abrasive discs. Replace them (parts can be ordered on AliExpress according to the article specified in the instructions).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions