Sharpening knives on Erev Shabbos:[1]
One is to beware to sharpen the [kitchen and eating] knives every Erev Shabbos, as preparing oneself for eating is included within the honor of Shabbos.[2] In addition, [at times] one needs to sharpen the knives for the sake of Shalom Bayis [marital harmony], such as if the blade has dulled and one is unable to cut with it.[3] [Some Tzadikim were accustomed to personally sharpen their knives using one of the stones of their home.[4] Accordingly, some are accustomed to eat their Shabbos meals using non-serrated knives due to the above reasons, and likewise due to reasons of Kabbalah.[5]]
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Summary: One should be careful to sharpen the knives on Erev Shabbos. This is done for honor of Shabbos and for purposes of shalom bayis. style="text-align: justify">Does this law apply even today, and how practically is it to be accomplished? Yes, the above law applies even today, and so is the custom of G-d fearing Jews. Accordingly, one should purchase a knife sharpener for the sake of fulfilling this custom on Erev Shabbos. Although the process of sharpening a knife is much simpler and easier accomplished with a non-serrated knife, it is possible to likewise sharpen a serrated knife.[6]
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[1] Admur 250:5; Rama 250:1; Taz 250:2; Bach 260; Rashal on Tur 260; Derisha 250:1; Beis Yosef 250 in name of Chayeh Olam [Sefer Hayirah of Rabbeinu Yona] 309; Kol Bo 31 in name of Sifri; Rokeiach, brought in Rashal and Bach ibid; Levush 250:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 250:5
[2] Admur ibid; Rama ibid
The source: This is hinted to in the verse [Beshalach] “And prepare Es/that which you brought” and a knife is alluded in the word “Es”, from the wording of “Lesim Ulemizmoros” [in Yeshaya 2:4]. Thus, implying in the verse that one is to prepare the knives before Shabbos. [Admur ibid; Taz ibid; Beis Yosef ibid in name of Rabbeinu Yonah; Rashal ibid; and Poskim ibid]
[3] The source: This is learned from the verse [Iyov 5:24] “And you shall know that your tent is in harmony” and the Sages expounded this to be referring to the sharpening of a dull knife for the sake of Shalom Bayis. [Admur ibid; Taz ibid; Rashal ibid; Beis Yosef ibid; Kol Bo ibid; Rokeiach ibid; M”B 250:5]
[4] Likkutei Maharich Seder Erev Shabbos in name of Maharam Eish
[5] Karban Shabbos 1:7 in name of Tikkunim and Chesed Leavraham and Rokeiach; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 22
[6] See https://613tube.com/watch/?time_continue=213&v=Tei9E2pTU3s&feature=emb_logo