The BBQ Sharpening Guide: Tools and Tips for Grilling Season

Happy late 4th of July from all of us at Wicked Edge! I hope you had a good chance to soak in the best parts of summer—blue skies, warm weather, and plenty of time spent outdoors. For me, there’s nothing better than kicking back with the grill fired up, surrounded by good food, good people, and, of course, a perfectly sharp knife or two.

Where Knives Come Into Play

Good BBQ isn’t just about the smoker—it starts with the prep and ends with the perfect slice. Sharp knives make everything easier and more enjoyable:

- Trimming meat and prepping cuts before they hit the smoke

- Slicing up fresh summer veggies for sides like coleslaw or grilled corn salad

- Carving the final masterpiece to serve your hungry guests

Each stage calls for a different knife, and I make sure each one is tuned up just right using my Wicked Edge system.

What I Use and How I Sharpen

Boning/Fillet Knife

This is my go-to for trimming fat and prepping cuts. I like to sharpen it to 1000 grit,

followed by a light strop. It gives me just the right balance of bite and control. I almost always use the Blade Stabilizer here—flexible blades like this really benefit from the extra support. If I don’t feel like getting out my whole system, I’ll get out my Venture sharpener to get the job done quickly and precisely.

Carving Knife

When it’s time to slice into that brisket or turkey, my carving knife is ready. I also take this one to 1000 grit and give it a light strop to make sure it glides cleanly through the meat. Again, the Blade Stabilizer makes this process easy and consistent, and I’m also always happy to use my Venture for this one as well. It’s obviously a longer knife, but the Venture still handles it with ease.

Chef’s Knife or Nakiri

For sides and veggies, I turn to either a classic chef’s knife or my Nakiri. These get a bit more polish:

• Chef’s Knife: 1500 grit finish
  
  
• Nakiri: 3000 grit, because I like that extra smooth push-cut for slicing vegetables
  

I don’t usually use the Blade Stabilizer for these, but that might just be personal preference. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, and the Venture sharpener is more than capable of dialing in a fine edge here too, but I tend to prefer my main system for these.

A Quick Word About the Blade Stabilizer

If you haven’t tried the Blade Stabilizer yet, here are a few reasons why it’s worth having in your sharpening setup:

• Perfect for flexible blades like boning or fillet knives—that’s exactly why we designed it.
  
  
• The Blade Stop feature is incredibly helpful when working with small knives or full-flat grinds like many Spydercos. It’s not just for long kitchen knives.
  
  
• It’s super easy to install and remove, so you can swap it in and out as needed without slowing down your process.
  
  
• It makes a great gift for any knife enthusiast looking to elevate their sharpening game.
  
  

Wrapping It Up

Summer’s the perfect time to enjoy great food, great company, and sharp tools that make everything a little easier. Whether you’re prepping for a backyard BBQ or just slicing up a few veggies, a well-sharpened knife makes all the difference. From the Venture to the Blade Stabilizer, we’re here to help you get the perfect edge every time.

Enjoy the rest of your summer—and happy sharpening!