A sharp knife guarantees reliability and results. This is why it is important to sharpen yours every once in a while. A dull knife is practically useless and is basically a tool robbed of its purpose. The duller a knife gets, the more infuriating it is to use. To avoid this scenario you need a reliable knife sharpener to accompany your knife collection.
Back in the day, knife sharpeners are simple tools and you can practically choose anything and expect the same results. Nowadays, technology has helped evolve this simple tool into something leagues more convenient than what it was a decade ago. You can choose from alone sharpener, manual sharpener, or an electric sharpener. With every new iteration of the knife sharpener, it also makes choosing the right one a little more complicated.
This is where this buying guide comes in. In order to help you figure out the best knife sharpener to suit your need, we have not only compiled a list of the highest rated products out there but also a guideline on how to choose the best quality one. Continue reading to learn more about the best knife sharpeners.
Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Pro Electric Knife Sharpener
One of the highest rated today, the Chef’s Choice Trizor XV EdgeSelect Pro might be a mouthful to say but it definitely earns its spot in this list. This electric knife sharpener offers three levels of sharpening that steadily builds up which results in a knife so impeccably sharp that it can easily slice through tomatoes without any sort of resistance.
The fact that this is an electric knife sharpener gives it an edge (pun intended) against manual sharpeners. You can expect the diamond abrasives to sharpen your knives in a deliberate and precise manner. In terms of honing a knife, the Trizor XV delivers a consistent and top-notch result.
You will also enjoy the attention to detail that the manual offers. It gives you several pointers on how to fully make the most out of your blade during sharpening. The Trizo XV is also compatible with serrated knives, something most other electric knife sharpeners do not offer.
If there is one nitpick to state about the Trizor XV, it is the fact that it leans on the larger side and will take up a decent amount of space both on the counter and in your cupboard.
A budget-friendly alternative to the Chef’s Choice, the Presto EverSharp might be extremely affordable but don’t mistake it for being a subpar electric knife sharpener. Obviously, it won’t match up to the quality of high-end models but for its price tag, it certainly feels like a top-quality knife sharpener when compared to other products within the same price bracket. The EverSharp features a 2-stage sharpening process. This manages to give the knife a good honing and leave it sharper and smoother. You can also use this to sharpen serrated bread knives. The EverSharp is rather large though and will take up a bit of space on your kitchen counter. It can also be quite noisy but these can be seen as little compromises in order for it to achieve that low-price tag. The blade guides help you angle the knife for optimum sharpening. It uses sapphire wheels to sharpen knives which is cheaper than diamond wheels used by high-end devices. This explains its considerably lower price tag.
Quite possibly one of the finest manual knife sharpeners you can get your hands on at the moment. The Zwilling J.A. Henckels 2-Stage Manual Knife Sharpener is basically a 3-in-1 tool. This manual knife sharpener is designed to sharpen Western-style knives which are known for their straight-edge design. It features a 2-stage sharpening procedure that uses a coarse and fine ceramic grit-section for both honing the knife and adding a smooth finish. The handles incorporate an ergonomic design to help deliver a comfortable grip. It also comes with a safety handlebar to prevent your fingers from slipping towards the sharpening area. The Zwilling knife sharpener also features a rubberized coating underneath to offer better traction and stability during use. The Zwilling is designed to sharpen straight-edge knives and can also be used to sharpen scissors. In terms of convenience, the Zwilling J.A. Henckels 2-Stage Manual Knife Sharpener is without a doubt one of the best in the market today. Comfort, safety, and performance are all combined into this compact manual knife sharpener at a reasonable price.
AnySharp Pro is a manual knife sharpener is one of the most compact entry in this list. It features a suction cup that allows you to place it firmly on any flat and smooth surface. Once you have placed it on your counter and pulled the lever to activate the suction cup, it is almost impossible to lift. The compact design and inclusion of a suction cup allow you to bring this anywhere. The AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener is as a big as a spool of thread and can even fit inside your pocket (albeit, a little bulky). It also comes with a helpful guide to help you learn the right angle to sharpen your knives. As this is quite a small knife sharpener, it only uses one stage during the sharpening process. It does manage to keep your knife sharp but you will notice it lack the smoothness that knife sharpeners with 2 to 3 stages offer. If you prefer a knife sharpener that is extremely compact and can fit into any storage, the AnySharp fits that bill to the letter. It can also sharpen serrated knives and comes in 8 brightly colored variations.
Priority Chef enters the fray with their very own top-quality manual knife sharpener. Priority Chef features a 2-stage sharpening system that uses both a ceramic and diamond coated wheel. This guarantees that you will bring your knife back in tip-top shape. The use of diamond coated wheels for sharpening also ensures that this sharpener will last quite a long time. A closer look at the diamond wheel will reveal its angled position. This assists in helping you sharpen both sides of the knife equally and easily. The ceramic wheel also does its part quite well. You can use it to sharpen serrated knives and making some finishing touches to some rough around the edges blades. Some additional features that Priority Chef offers include a non-slip padding underneath, a compact design, and a sturdy stainless-steel body. It is compatible with kitchen and hunting knives as well. The Priority Chef Knife Sharpener is ideally used in sharpening coarse knives. The ceramic wheel can also add to the blade’s longevity.
If you are looking for an alternative to AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener, the only viable option is the Sunrise Pro Knife Sharpener. Similar in design but offers vastly different features help separate the two from each other. The Sunrise Pro is also considerably more affordable. But does that also equate to a lower quality? The Sunrise Pro might be more practical for those who tend to their gardens as the knife sharpener is designed to sharpen garden utensils as well. In fact, this manual knife sharpener is designed to not only sharpen your kitchen knives and garden utensils but also blender blades, scissors, and serrated knives. The Sunrise Pro also comes with a suction cup for better stability and convenience. The sharpening tungsten carbide wheels are also designed so that you can fully sharpen your knife in under a minute. Similar to the AnySharp, the Sunrise Pro also comes in a variety of colors to fit most kitchen aesthetics.
For those who only need to sharpen their knives occasionally, the Winware Stainless Steel Sharpener is a high quality and affordable alternative. The Winware Sharpening Steel is your standard blade sharpener with a 12-inch sharpening blade and a 5-inch handle. When it comes to steel sharpeners, it is best to choose ones that are as long as the knife you plan on doing maintenance on. With that in mind, the Winware’s 12-inch sharpening blade should cover all the bases. Cleaning the Winware Sharpening Steel is also extremely simple. Just wipe the blade down using a camp cloth and you are ready to store it in your cupboard. As stated earlier, if you only plan on sharpening your knife set a couple of times a year then the Winware is an affordable and reliable option. The Winware uses the traditional blade sharpening design that you can often see in a butcher’s kitchen. It does look primitive but results don’t lie. For chefs, there are modern choices that would fit better into their busy kitchens. For the occasional designate cook, the Winware is enough to maintain your blades.
The Wüsthof 2-Stage Handheld Sharpener is a manual 2-stage knife sharpener that excels in its compact and lightweight construction. A common complaint by beginners when it comes to 2-stage manual knife sharpeners would be with its confusing and unlabeled coarse and fine sharpening slots. Fortunately, Wüsthof actually puts a mark on whether the slot is for coarse or fine sharpening. A simple solution to a simple problem. You will also like the lightweight and compact design of this sharpener. You can easily store it in your cupboard and even carry it in your pocket during outdoor trips. The coarse sharpening wheel uses carbide steel blades that are as durable as they come, so expect it to last for quite some time. The ceramic wheels are just as reliable for delivering a fine finish to your blades during the honing process. The handles are rubberized for added comfort and better grip as well. The Wüsthof 2-Stage Handheld Sharpener is a good budget-friendly choice for those looking for something portable and reliable. It is also a good choice for beginners who are still unfamiliar with differentiating between coarse and fine sharpening slots at a glance.
A traditional knife sharpening system still has its place in today’s modern market. The Smith’s Arkansas TRI-HONE is a perfect example of this and its high rating also showcases how the ‘old lions’ are still a force to be reckoned with in this market. The TRI-HONE utilizes fine Arkansas stone as well as coarse synthetic stone. Both stone plates measure 6-inches and are attached to a triangular plastic handle which allows you to rotate the sharpener easily. It also has a rubberized foot for added traction on smooth surfaces during use. The Arkansas stone has a grit rating of 1000 to 1200 while the synthetic stone comes with a 600-grit rating. For those are unfamiliar with this type of sharpening system, the TRI-HONE offers you a detailed instruction manual to get you started. The product also comes with a honing solution to help you get started on the right foot. The TRI-HONE is an ideal choice for experienced outdoor users who desire the quality results delivered by the unique Arkansas synthetic stones.
Chef’s Choice is one of the most trustworthy brands to date and if you are looking for a knife sharpener that is lighter on your wallet then the ProntoPro is a good alternative to their electric knife sharpener (Trizor XV EdgeSelect). While it obviously won’t produce the same level of smartness and smoothness as their flagship knife sharpener, it is still a league on its own when compared to its competition in the same price bracket. The ProntoPro still manages to deliver quick results though. It features a 2-stage sharpening process which produced some of the sharpest results we have seen in a manual knife sharpener. The compact and lightweight construction of the ProntoPro makes it a convenient tool that you can use anytime and store anywhere. It can easily fit inside your kitchen drawer. There is an issue with the design in regards to left-handed users. The sharpening slots are somewhat obscured if you hold it in your right hand with your left hand doing the sharpening. A little nitpick but something our left-handed readers should consider. The ProntoPro is also compatible with serrated blades and just as easy to use as the best manual 2-stage knife sharpeners. That is, of course, if you are right-handed.
The most compact knife sharpener in this list, the Kitchen IQ Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener can easily fit inside your pockets and is an ideal sharpener for outdoor enthusiasts. Coming in at a diminutive 4.3 x 3.1 x 5.9 inches and weighing only at 1 lbs. the Edge Grip will barely take up any space in your camping gear and kitchen. Using the Edge Grip is also incredibly easy, comparable to most of the sharpeners in this list. Swiping the blade through the slots at least 5 times is enough to sharpen the blade. The slots are already angled so just remember to swipe the blade straight. The sharpening slots utilize carbide and ceramic wheels to ensure optimum results while being also being able to handle multiple uses without degradation in quality. The Kitchen IQ Edge Grip is also the most affordable entry in this list with a price tag of $5. However, this extremely affordable price tag does mean it will have certain limitations. For example, this is not designed for serrated blades and can damage serrated knives. The Kitchen IQ is designed for the general kitchen cutlery. As for those with top-quality cutlery in the kitchen, I suggest you look at the high-end sharpeners in this list instead. Obviously, don’t try to sharpen a knife that is a hundred bucks on a sharpener is priced under $10.
The LINKYO Electric Knife Sharpener uses the standard 2-stage sharpening system and uses it to the best possible result. The 2-stage sharpening system works as well as you would expect. The first section of the process sharpens the blades while the second process hones and polishes the knife to give it that brand new sheen. The sharpening slots utilize Sapphire grinding wheels which delivers reliability and durability into the fold. Remember the ProntoPro complaint about it not being left-handed user-friendly? Well, the LINKYO features dual slots on both sides to allow both left and right-handed users to sharpen their knives without any difficulty. The Sapphire wheels are also constructed amazingly well. You can easily sharpen your knife, considering it is not too dull, in 1 or 2 swipes. The sharpening slot is also designed to help guide beginners to obtain the best possible angle when sharpening their blades. Simply place the knife inside the slot at a 90-degree angle, pull it towards as many times as needed (once or twice is enough for most knives), and you’re done. Cleaning is also made more convenient thanks to the receptacle installed within the tool. It basically catches filings to ensure none of the debris particles from the knife is left on your kitchen counter. Cleaning, however, specifically requires you to use a damp and dry cloth. Do not place this in a dishwasher as it is not waterproof.
Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 2-Stage Manual Knife Sharpener
AnySharp Pro Knife Sharpener
Priority Chef Knife Sharpener
Sunrise Pro Supreme Knife Sharpener
Winware Stainless-Steel Sharpening Steel
Wüsthof 2-Stage Handheld Sharpener
Smith’s Arkansas TRI-HONE Sharpening Stone System
Chef’s Choice ProntoPro Diamon Hone Manual Knife Sharpener
Kitchen IQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
LINKYO Electric Knife Sharpening System
Knife Sharpener Buying Guide
Keep a Sharp Eye for these Factors
Every kitchen needs a reliable knife sharpener. It is the only viable way to ensure your knives won’t degrade and dull to the point that it is unusable. Having a sharp knife also makes food preparation easier and quicker. An exceptionally sharp knife can also prevent accidents when cutting meat, fruits, and vegetables.
When it comes to knife sharpeners there are certain factors you need to look for and consider in order to land on the best possible choice. Below is a guideline on how you can distinguish between a subpar knife sharpener from a top-notch one.
Difference Between Honing and Sharpening
While these two are vital when it comes to maintaining your knives, some might confuse which is which and how each factor in when it comes to delivering the best result. The difference between honing and sharpening is pretty simple really.
Honing is the process of straightening the bent sections of the knife. Sharpening is pretty much what it sounds like, it files the knife down making it sharper. Honing is the first process you conduct when maintaining a knife. If the blade is somehow still dull after this process, you can then use the sharpening slot to deliver the finishing touches.
It is important to not let your knife get too dull. A knife that has become too blunt is considerably more difficult to sharpen.
Different Types of Knife Sharpeners
There are two variations of knife sharpeners available in the market today. There is the traditional manual knife sharpener and the electric knife sharpener. Both of which consists of widely different aspects with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Manual Knife Sharpener
Sharpening Stone Variation – The classic knife sharpener design consists of a stone plate that is several inches in length and thickness. Currently, you can choose synthetic sharpening stones and these come in different levels of grit rating. The coarser the grit rating the more it can file the steel or metal down during sharpening.
Sharpening Steel Variation – As the name implies, this is primarily made of steel and looks like a longer less pointy ice pick. This is primarily a honing tool and is designed to straighten the edge of the blade by running the knife across the steel.
There has been a variation to the materials used in a sharpening steel. You can find some that are made from diamond-impregnated metal, ceramic, and glass. This is also a traditionally designed knife sharpener and might require a bit of practice to use effectively.
V-shaped Knife Sharpener Variation – The V-shaped model is the considered the most convenient to use when it comes to manual knife sharpeners. Relatively easier to use than stone and stainless-steel sharpeners, the V-shaped utilizes two steel rods attached to a tool casing. These rods are usually coated with the diamond abrasive finish or are made from tungsten carbide material. As the name suggests, the two rods are positioned to form a V shape.
This is a 2-stage knife sharpening tool with one rod designed for honing and the other for sharpening. The casing will also incorporate a guard to its design in order to keep your hands away from the blade during sharpening.
Electric Knife Sharpener
An electric knife sharpener is a convenient alternative to the manual knife sharpener. While significantly more expensive, they make up for it with some helpful and nifty features that will make knife sharpening quick, safe, and easy.
A standard design feature utilized in electric knife sharpeners include a guide the helps the user position the blade at the best angle for sharpening. It only takes a couple of swipes into the grinder to fully sharpen a blade.
Electric knife sharpeners usually use a bolster in its casing design which makes it rather difficult to sharpen the entirety of the blade. Electric knife sharpeners with bolster will prevent you from sharpening the very base of the knife. Not a deal breaker but something that should still be kept in mind.
It is also important to pay attention to the sharpening process when using an electric knife sharpener. Electric sharpeners are designed for consistency and can file the blade too much. You should also look for electric sharpeners that utilize a diamond dust honing system. Diamond dust wheels offer better results when shaving metal and has a lower risk of damaging the blade.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Knife Sharpener
- Quality Results – Smooth and Sharp Edge
Whether you are planning to get a manual or electric sharpener, the most important element to consider is how well it can smooth out the blade’s edge. It is also important for the sharpener to not cause any damage to the blade itself. Some sharpeners are quite effective in filing down the metal of the blade that doing it even slightly too much can damage the knife.
You should always go for a knife sharpener, manual or electric, that you feel comfortable in using. You should also go for a knife sharpener that is compatible with your knife collection as some sharpeners are not ideal for use with serrated edge blades.
- Wheel Grinding Material
There 3 types of materials used in a knife sharpener wheel: diamond, tungsten carbide, and ceramic. Diamond wheels are usually the most popular as it is the most durable of the three with a 1,000-grit rating. However, this primarily results in a smoother rather than sharper finish.
- Angle Guide Feature
This is an important feature for beginners who have never sharpened a knife. The angled slots will help in positioning your blade for the best possible result. Electric knife sharpeners offer this feature which is why this type of knife sharpener is the best choice for beginners.
An adjustable angle will also greatly benefit you in the long run. Depending on the knife type, you will need to angle it properly when sharpening. For example, Western-style knives require a 20-degree angle while Japanese-style knives need to be angled at 15-degrees during the sharpening process for optimum results.
- 1-2-3 Stage System
Depending on how dull the blade has become, you might want a knife sharpener that offers a 3-stage sharpening system. Each stage is designed for a specific task. The first stage is designed to file the blade, sharpening it in the process while the final stage delivers the finishing touches and giving it a polished appearance.
- Safety Feature
Safety features in a knife sharpener are essential, especially for beginners who are still learning the ins and outs of using this kind of tool. Safety and comfort should also be considered so try it out before purchasing it.
Does it feel easy to use? Electric knife sharpeners use the rail design to prevent your hands from even getting close to the blade during the sharpening process. Manual sharpeners, on the other hand, utilize guards on the handle to prevent the blade from sliding past its designated area.
Final Thoughts
Knife sharpeners are essential tools that should be in any kitchen. It helps ensure your knife will achieve longevity as well as keep it sharp, reliable, and easy to use. You can use the list of top-rated products above or use the buying guideline to discover the best knife sharpening tool that will suit your preference.