Article Contents
The Best Knife Sharpeners can help you get the most out of your favorite chef’s knife. We all love the clean, sharp cuts we get from a brand-new knife, but they won’t last forever if the blade isn’t taken care of. Sharp knives are also much safer to use. Dull knives have to be used with more force, which makes it more likely that you’ll slip and cut your finger instead of the onion. Even though it might seem like something you should leave to the professionals, you can safely sharpen your knives right at home, especially since you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a good sharpener.
There are many different prices and sizes of knife sharpeners, and the one you choose will rely a lot on your budget, how much space you have in your kitchen, and what you like. Our lab experts recently put 22 knife sharpeners to the test. They looked at how well they held up, how easy they were to use, and how much they were worth overall. Six were chosen as winners because they were easy to use and did a great job. Our top pick, the Wusthof Easy Edge Electric Sharpener, is at the top of the list. Find out what the best knife sharpeners are by reading on.
Best Knife Sharpeners Comparison Table
| Product Name | Type | Number of Stages | Abrasives | Angle Guides | Suitable For | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef’sChoice Trizor XV | Electric | 3 | Diamond | Yes | Straight and Serrated Knives | 139.95 |
| Work Sharp Culinary E2 | Electric | Flexible Disc | Ceramic and Diamond | Yes | Straight and Serrated Knives | 69.95 |
| Longzon 4-in-1 Knife Sharpener | Manual | 4 | Tungsten, Ceramic | Yes | Straight and Serrated Knives | 8.99 |
| Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener | Electric | 2 | Sapphirite grinding | No | Straight Knives | 29.99 |
| Sharpal 191H Knife & Scissors Sharpener | Manual | 2 | Tungsten, Ceramic | Yes | Straight and Serrated Knives | 9.99 |
| Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener – Elite | Manual | Adjustable | Diamond, Ceramic | Yes | Straight and Serrated Knives | 29.99 |
| Wicked Edge Pro Pack 1 | Manual (guided sharpening) | 2 | Diamond, Ceramic | Yes, angle adjustment system | Straight and Serrated Knives | 825.00 |
| Kyocera Ceramic Sharpening Steel | Manual | – | Ceramic | No | Straight Knives | 24.95 |
Chef’sChoice Trizor XV
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 3 |
| Angle Guides | Flexible stropping/polishing disks with angle guides |
| Sharpening Technology | Trizor XV EdgeSelect |
| Abrasive Type | Diamond abrasives |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 10 x 4.25 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight | 4.2 pounds |
The Chef’sChoice Trizor XV Best Knife Sharpeners made the sharpest and most even edges of all the ones we tried. It sharpened a cheap German-style chef’s knife and a high-end Japanese-style knife over and over again, taking them from dull as a butter knife to sharp enough to cut a tomato in one stroke. With the Trizor XV’s detailed user guide and smart design, it’s almost impossible to mess up the sharpening process, which isn’t something that can be said about every rival.
Since it’s quick and easy to use, this sharpener makes it easy to keep your knives sharp all the time. Lastly, the Trizor XV is made to last. It has a strong motor and is built well. (We’ve been using one for years in the Wirecutter test kitchen.) It takes a little bit of money, but we think it’s worth it.
The Good
- Sharpens both straight and serrated blades
- Sharpening occurs in three stages for optimum performance.
- The Trizor XV’s EdgeSelect technology allows for the creation of incredibly sharp and long-lasting edges.
- Includes a pliable stropping/polishing disk for even more edge edging.
The Bad
- Compared to other knife sharpeners on the market, it is quite pricey.
- Heavy and cumbersome compared to some alternatives; this may be a problem in a small kitchen.
Work Sharp Culinary E2
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 2 |
| Angle Guides | Built-in angle guides for consistent results |
| Sharpening Technology | Flexible abrasive belts |
| Abrasive Type | Diamond abrasive belts |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
We suggest the electric Work Sharp Culinary E2 for those who only cook on occasion and don’t have a large collection of knives that need to be maintained. It is not quite as fast, powerful, or robustly built as the Chef’sChoice Trizor XV, but it is simple to operate, and it created a better edge than any other sharpener in its price range could have produced. We believe that you will get the most value out of your investment in a sharpener if you know that you will only use it sometimes during the year.
The Good
- Easy to stow away because of its lightweight and small footprint
- Integrated angle guides ensure razor-sharp results every time.
- The flexible abrasive belts of a two-stage sharpening process.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
The Bad
- Achieving the desired sharpness with the flexible abrasive belts may require some practice.
- There are only two sharpening stages, which may not be sufficient for very dull or broken knives.
Longzon 4-in-1 Knife Sharpener
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 4 |
| Angle Guides | Built-in angle guides for precise sharpening |
| Sharpening Technology | Diamond and ceramic abrasive rods |
| Abrasive Type | Diamond and ceramic abrasives |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 4.8 ounces |
Our testers did not think that a Best Knife Sharpeners that cost as little as the Longzon 4-in-1 does would work as well as it does. As the name suggests, the manual sharpener has four slots: three slots that get progressively finer for normal knives and one extra-wide slot for sharpening scissors and shears. Some manual sharpeners take a little practice to use right, but the shape of the Longzon and the instructions that come with it make it easy.
If you learn better by seeing, there’s even a QR code link to video tutorials. The safety features of this cutter also made the Lab very happy. It won’t move around on the counter because the bottom isn’t sticky, and you can hold it steady with your other hand by the handle. (For extra safety, it also comes with a pair of gloves that can’t be cut.)
The Good
- Its portability and small footprint make it a practical addition to any kitchen.
- Diamond and ceramic abrasive rods are just two of the four stages used in this four-stage sharpening process.
- Integrated angle guides ensure uniform cuts every time.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
The Bad
- When compared to other available sharpeners, the sharpening process may be too time-consuming or labor-intensive for some users.
Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 2 |
| Angle Guides | None |
| Sharpening Technology | Sapphirite sharpening wheels |
| Abrasive Type | Synthetic abrasive materials |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 8.38 x 5.75 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight | 2.95 pounds |
Electric sharpeners are more convenient to use than their manual counterparts, but the cost of purchasing one is significantly higher. Even though it is one of the more affordable electric knife sharpeners that we evaluated, the Presto EverSharp did an excellent job of restoring a nice, sharp edge to both straight and serrated knives that had been dull during our testing.
(It even fared better than its slightly more expensive cousin, the Professional EverSharp, when we put it through its paces in our tests.) The product did, however, leave scratches on the side of the blade, which, if used frequently, could result in the knife becoming dull or otherwise damaged.
The Good
- An inexpensive choice for those who cook for themselves or on a limited budget.
- Two phases of sharpening using sapphire wheels ensure maximum efficiency.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
The Bad
- Not having built-in angle guides can make precise results more challenging to attain.
Sharpal 191H Knife & Scissors Sharpener
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 3 |
| Angle Guides | Built-in angle guides for precise sharpening |
| Sharpening Technology | Tungsten carbide blades and ceramic rods |
| Abrasive Type | Tungsten carbide and ceramic abrasives |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives, as well as scissors |
| Dimensions | 2.2 x 2.2 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 2.9 ounces |
Grab this hand-held sharpener the next time your cutting knife needs a quick tune-up. It’s small enough to fit in your silverware drawer or sit quietly on your counter, so it will take less time to set up than a larger electric machine that you have to fish out from the cabinet above the fridge. When the suction cup base was turned on by pressing down on the lever behind the sharpening holes, the 191H didn’t move on countertops.
This form lets it be used with just one hand. As for sharpening, it took more than 70 passes between the two steps to give our dull test knife a good cutting edge again. Still, it was faster than other manual types we tried, and if you only use it for touch-ups twice a month, you won’t have to put in as much effort. Last but not least, we liked the addition of the abrasive on the left that is made for sharpening knives.
The Good
- Its portability and small footprint make it a practical addition to any kitchen.
- Tungsten carbide blades and ceramic rods make up the third stage of a three-stage sharpening process.
- Integrated angle guides ensure uniform cuts every time.
- Sharpens scissors, as well as straight and serrated knives.
The Bad
- Possibly won’t hold up as well as other choices over time and heavy use.
- Larger knives and scissors may be challenging for some users to sharpen with this device.
Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener – Elite
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 3 |
| Angle Guides | Built-in angle guides for precise sharpening |
| Sharpening Technology | Diamond abrasive wheels |
| Abrasive Type | Diamond abrasives |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 8.6 x 4.7 x 4.1 inches |
| Weight | 1.98 pounds |
This is the best knife sharpener for the job, whether you need to sharpen a 2-inch pocket knife or a classic fixed blade. It can cut through super steels and polish to a mirror shine. I like how easy it is to keep the edge angle the same and how few pieces there are in the kit. Compared to other sharpeners, it’s also not too expensive.
I don’t use the rough stones that come with the kit very often, unless I need to fix a chip. I start with the 600 grit, then move on to the 800 grit, and finish with the leather strop. In 10 minutes, you can go from having a knife that won’t cut paper to one that will split a hair. The fact that it’s easy to turn the stones to switch grits is part of what makes sharpening go so quickly. The knife is also easy to turn around.
The Good
- Utilizing diamond abrasive wheels in a three-stage sharpening process
- Integrated angle guides ensure uniform cuts every time.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
- Sharpening can be done at different angles thanks to the tool’s adjustable angle feature.
The Bad
- Potentially high price when compared to similar products on the market.
- Some users may have trouble getting good results from the adjustable angle feature.
Wicked Edge Pro Pack 1
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 2 |
| Angle Guides | Built-in angle guides for precise sharpening |
| Sharpening Technology | Diamond abrasive plates |
| Abrasive Type | Diamond abrasives |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 17 x 6 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 8.38 pounds |
No, it’s not an inexpensive option, but the results speak for themselves. I decided to invest in a Pro Pack 1 for my sharpening business, and I have to say that it was money well spent. Each and every one of them has perfectly mirror-polished and hair-whittling edges. The one I have is still in great shape despite the fact that I have used it to sharpen close to two thousand high-end everyday carry knives.
Choose an angle between 15 and 25 degrees on each side, clamp it in place, and follow the included instructions to obtain a degree of sharpness that you have most likely never before encountered. The Wicked Edge always produces a v-edge that is clean and precise. This is the method to use if you intend to sharpen a large number of knives or if you want the edge of a mirror with the least amount of work.
The Good
- Sharpening is accomplished in two stages using diamond abrasive plates.
- Integrated angle guides ensure uniform cuts every time.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
- Includes a storage bag for convenient portability and organization.
The Bad
- Compared to other knife sharpeners on the market, it is quite pricey.
- Heavy and cumbersome compared to some alternatives; this may be a problem in a small kitchen.
Kyocera Ceramic Sharpening Steel
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of stages | 1 |
| Angle Guides | None |
| Sharpening Technology | Ceramic sharpening rod |
| Abrasive Type | Ceramic abrasive |
| Compatibility | Can sharpen both straight and serrated knives |
| Dimensions | 9.5 x 1.4 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
We liked that this ceramic honing stick has two different sides, one with ribs for sharpening and one with a smooth surface for honing. The instructions have two pictures with notes that explain how to hold the knife in the right way and at the right angle (20 to 25 degrees for sharpening and 15 to 20 degrees for honing).
This is especially helpful for people who are just starting out. The rod was light and easy to hold, and sharpening and honing the knife took only a few minutes. After trying, we noticed that the knife was much sharper and that it was easy to pierce and cut a tomato with it. It was easy to wash by hand with warm clean water, but when used on the ribbed edge, some of the dish fell apart.
The Good
- Portable, lightweight, and user-friendly sharpener with a single-step operation.
- Ceramic abrasive is safe for knives and can be used to keep cutting edges razor sharp.
- Ability to sharpen both traditional and modern knife types
- Because of its small size, it takes up little room on the kitchen shelf.
The Bad
- Not having built-in angle guides can be a hindrance.
FAQs
A: Regularly sharpening your knives will help them stay sharp, which will make them safer and easier to use. Dull knives can slip and cause accidents, and they need more force to cut, which can lead to hand injuries and tiredness.
A: There are many ways to sharpen a knife, such as with an electric sharpener, by hand, with an honing stick, or with a sharpening stone.
A: How often you sharpen relies on how often and what you use your knives for. As a general rule, knives should be polished every few months or whenever they get dull.