Last Updated on January 27, 2023
The Top 4 Best Knife Sharpeners…
If you are a cooking enthusiast like I am, you probably want to have the best knife sharpener in your kitchen that you can afford to buy without going overboard. These machines can save you a lot of time, even the manual sharpeners, over the old whetstone and water routine of sharpening.
Having a sharp knife while you’re cooking is more important than you probably understand. See, dull knives cause accidents. Sharp knives prevent them. That’s why it’s so important to keep your knife blade’s sharp. But even the best chef knives still need maintenance from time to time.
You should use a honing rod every time you use your knife to keep the blade straight and sharp. You only need a few pulls on each side of the blade to keep a properly sharpened knife sharp.
But when you have a seriously dull knife, or your favorite knives just don’t have the same edge as they used to, then you’ll need a proper sharpener. These are the tools that really make the blade sharper by taking a tiny bit of the metal away, kind of like sanding a board with sandpaper, only we are usually using diamond dust.
Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
The Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener is a low cost, high quality electric knife sharpener. If you want precision sharpening that delivers excellent results, then you might want to consider reading this product review carefully.
It has a lot of great features you can’t get using a manual sharpener like the Edge of Glory knife sharpener, which means it saves you the trouble of doing everything by hand. Something to think about if you’re buying a gift for someone elderly that man not have the hand strength they once had.
Here are a few of the great features that this Presto knife sharpener has to offer…
- Provides fast two-stage sharpening
- Precision sharpening for perfect results
- Uses sapphirite sharpening wheels
- Get professional results
- Creates an angled edge as the first stage of the sharpening process
- Stage 2 polishes the blade to create a razor sharp edge
There are many electric knife sharpening products on the market. However, if you wanted to purchase a high end brand, you would expect to pay a high end price.
Yet the EverSharp delivers excellent results without the high price tag. It is electric as well, so does not require any real muscle power.
If you want a good quality electric knife sharpener without blowing the budget, take a look at this one. You can purchase a Presto 08800 for under $30, proving that quality does not have to be massively expensive even for one of the best knife sharpeners we have reviewed.
Chef’s Choice Manual Sharpener
If you would rather not have an electric sharper, and you prefer a manual one. Then the Chef’s Choice M4623 Diamond Hone 3-Stage Manual Sharpener might be a good choice for you to consider.
It might be a manual sharpener but it does deliver professional results. Obviously you will have to put in more work to achieve the same results as an electrically powered sharpener. However, with this manual knife sharpener you do get a sharper blade than you started with.
Here are a few of the features:
- Delivers professional results
- Super sharp edges
- Diamond dust for sharpening
- Separate sections for sharpening and perfecting
- Creates long lasting sharp edges
- Good for pocket knives, serrated edges and much more
- Ergonomic handle
The Chef’s Choice manual sharpener is a great quality product that provides excellent results for those budding chefs who do not want to use an electric sharpener. You can buy this for just under $30 which makes it a nice little gift for someone you know that likes cooking. Throw in a Nicer Dicer and they probably repay you in more food than you can eat.
However, it is best to purchase it in a bundle because you can save money that way.
For example, purchased with a Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife and a Victorinox 47508 3-1/4-Inch Paring Knife, you pay just under $65.
KitchenIQ Knife Sharpener Review
Another good quality manual sharpener is the KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2 Stage Knife Sharpener.
This product is considered a budget knife sharpener due to its ridiculously low price tag which is usually under 6 or 7 dollars, however, it does deserve its place in this best knife sharpener run-down. The fact is that this cheap sharpener is low cost, but it still delivers some good results.
The features include:
- Extra grip for edge of counter use
- Precision sharpening
- Ergonomic hand grip
- For straight edge blades
- Easy to clean
This is a great product, and it does deliver some excellent results. The only thing that some people might not be happy about is the fact that it only works for straight edge knives.
In a way, this is reflected in the price, but in terms of what it can deliver it, it is a very good product. For straight knives it does provide some excellent results.
You can get this for way under $10, but the price really does not reflect the quality of this product at all. For once, you are getting much more than what you paid for, yay!
Edgecraft Chef’s Choice Professional Knife Sharpener
This is another product from Chef’s Choice but this is a high end product. An electric knife sharpener that delivers some stunning results. If you have the budget for this, then this might be worth the money. It looks great and gives one of the best sharpening experiences available, but it is NOT cheap! And personally speaking, with the others I have listed, the differences between them all are not night and day.
The features include:
- Heavy duty electric powered motor
- Suitable for restaurants and home use
- For both straight and serrated blades
- 3 stage knife sharpening system
- Patented technology
- 100 % diamond abrasive
- Creates super sharp knife edges
- Sharpening tool dishwasher safe and detachable
- Just as effective as a professional knife sharpening service
This Chef’s Choice Diamond Hone Commercial Knife Sharpener is not just for professional chefs. It is perfect for anyone who wants to get professional results at home.
In the long run you will save a lot of money with this product, especially if you are constantly having your knives sharpened using an outside service. This product actually eliminates the need for an outside knife sharpening service.
If you have the budget for this knife sharpener, you should consider it. Because this is the one of the best knife sharpeners available on the commercial market. If you want this item, expect to pay over $500 for it.
When it comes to knife sharpeners the Edgeware Chef’s Choice knife sharpener is truly the best product available on the market.
If you really do not have the budget for it, and you want good results then you should probably consider the Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener. This is a very good product, and you get an excellent quality product for a very affordable price.
Knife Sharpener Buying Guide
Cooking is a joy when you have the right tools, and that extends to choosing the right knife sharpener. Any knife, even the most deluxe, is only as good as its cutting edge, and choosing the right knife sharpener will help you get the most joy from your investment. Meat Licker’s Knife Sharpener Buying Guide will help you choose a knife sharpener that strikes the perfect balance between convenience and control.
What should I know before I buy?
Manual or Electric?
A full-featured electric knife sharpener is the best choice for those who use knives to cut bone or frozen foods and don’t need a razor edge. Manual knife sharpeners are the best choice for those who demand a precise cutting edge.
Choose materials carefully
Knife sharpeners made with diamond or tungsten carbide work quickest but also pose a danger to some metals. Stone sharpeners are safe to use on all knives but will wear out over time. Choose a knife sharpener that offers the best usefulness and durability for the materials in the knives you own.
Consider usability
Electric knife sharpeners are good for users of all skill levels. Manual knife sharpeners require some practice to get the best results. Look for built-in or supplied angle guides or notches to reduce the learning curve.
Look for flexibility
Choose an electric knife sharpener with variable grinding options and adjustable angles that will work with a wider variety of knives. For manual knife sharpeners, make sure you’re comfortable with the grips and design.
Storage and maintenance
Make sure that ceramic sticks and butcher’s steel will fit into your knife rack or butcher block. Manual knife sharpeners are small and store easily in drawers. Large electric knife sharpeners may require extra countertop space, but you’ll be rewarded with greater stability.
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Angle Guide
A built-in holdout or notch that holds a knife in the correct position on a knife sharpener. Angle guides should be adjustable, as different knives require different cutting angles.
Butcher’s Steel
A coarse, round piece of hardened steel with a handle that is used as a daily or occasional knife sharpener.
Ceramic Stick
A variation of the Butcher’s Steel knife sharpener made from hardened ceramic. These are available in blue ceramic, which is coarser, and white ceramic, which is used for lighter sharpening or polishing.
High-alumina
A ceramic made with basalt or another mineral rich in alumina with superior hardness and abrasion.
Pull-through
A feature that automatically guides the full length of a knife blade at the correct angle through an electric knife sharpener.
Whetstone
A natural or ceramic stone used as a knife sharpener, usually having a rough grinding surface and a smoother polishing surface.
Electric or Manual?
Choosing between manual and electric knife sharpeners depends on whether you want to sharpen your knives easily and quickly or you’re looking for an accurate way to measure how sharp they are after sharpening. How you use your knives is also a factor, as some foods, like meats and tomatoes, demand a sharper edge than most breads and vegetables.
If you’re looking for something easy to use that gets the job done on the first try and you don’t need a razor-sharp edge, select an electric knife sharpener. You don’t need much knowledge to operate these knife sharpeners, and knife sharpening occurs at the flick of a power switch. Electric knife sharpeners won’t give you the same sharpness as manual knife sharpeners, and if you’re not paying close attention, it’s easy to over-sharpen and potentially ruin your knife.
Manual knife sharpeners take longer to use and additionally, you’ll need to develop some skill prior to using them. Your reward will be sharper, more precise knife edges. With a bit of concentrated effort, you’ll find it’s not too difficult to learn which angles and what pressure will consistently yield your desired level of sharpness. A consensus of knife enthusiasts and experts insists that a manual knife sharpener is the only way to get the razor-sharp edges that some cutting jobs demand.
Knife sharpener materials
When choosing an electric knife sharpener, pay careful attention to how it gets the job done. A good knife sharpener starts with a hard abrasive surface, such as diamond, tungsten carbide or high-alumina ceramics then uses steel or other ceramics for polishing. Knife sharpeners containing diamond or tungsten carbide tend to be more expensive, grind more aggressively and get the job done faster.
Some electric knife sharpeners include a “pull-through” feature that automatically moves the knife at a proper angle. While this can increase efficiency, it is important to consider how delicate your knives are. Some electric knife sharpeners can cut an unwanted curve into a knife or serrate the cutting edge, ruining its surface. Look for a knife sharpener with variable settings to minimize these risks and seek out materials that are compatible with the metals in the knives you own.
There’s little risk to knives when you use a manual knife sharpener. Butcher’s steel and ceramic sticks are the best choices for everyday use, as these knife sharpeners will help a knife keep its edge for up to a year so long as you’re not hacking away at bones or other hard objects. It’s a good idea to keep a ceramic or steel knife sharpener in or near your knife block and use it each time you reach for a knife.
For precise and thorough sharpening, you’ll need a manual knife sharpener made from diamond, tungsten carbide or whetstone. These manual sharpeners range from simple open-faced blocks to complex angled designs that sharpen both sides of a knife with each stroke. Whetstone knife sharpeners are the professionals’ choice but require more technique and patience than tungsten or diamond knife sharpeners.
Cutting the learning curve
A knife sharpener is a poor investment if you don’t know how to use it. Electric knife sharpeners will give you the most comprehensive operating information; some manual knife sharpeners may be little more than a stone in a box.
Using a knife sharpener is more than just running a blade across the knife sharpener’s surface. It takes a bit of skill and practice to get the best results from any knife sharpener, including electric models like the STX 3000 meat grinder has. If you’re already skilled at sharpening knives, you can shop by price, but novices should look for knife sharpeners with built-in guides or angled surfaces that teach the proper technique. When you’re comparing manual knife sharpeners, see if angle measuring tools or how-to literature are enclosed.
Additional features and durability
Manual or hand-held knife sharpeners typically come with fewer features, due to the lack of technology involved. Make sure you’re comfortable with grips and the design of a manual knife sharpener, and look for double-grit grinding and angle-measuring guides or notches.
Electric knife sharpeners should offer a good amount of freedom in adjustment for the greatest flexibility. Look for an electric knife sharpener with multiple grinding measures and compatibility with different knife materials. An electric knife sharpener should have a sturdy, non-skid base, receptacles to collect metal filings and built-in or adjustable angle measuring guides.
Knives that are mostly used for cutting softer items such as vegetables and thawed meats will only require occasional sharpening, making a manual knife sharpener an ideal choice. If you’re cutting through bone or frozen foods, you’ll be spending lots of time with your knife sharpener and may benefit from the convenience of an electric model.
Also, knife sharpeners aren’t always just for a knife. They often can handle all sorts of blades or metal edges that require sharpness. For example, I use my machine to also sharpen my meat slicer blades, my scissors, pretty much whatever I have that needs to have a razor sharp edge to it.
Some stone grinders like whetstones wear away over time, and the price of these knife sharpeners often reflects how long they’ll last. If you’re shopping for an electric knife sharpener, look for diamond or tungsten surfaces that will last longer than ceramics or steel.
Maintenance and Storage
Manual knife sharpeners typically need just a quick wipe with a damp cloth after use, and smaller stone knife sharpeners will tuck away in a drawer until you need them. Butcher’s steel and ceramic stick knife sharpeners should be the right size to store in your knife rack or behind your knife block. Make sure you’ve got a secure place to keep ceramic stick knife sharpeners, as they can shatter if you drop them.
An electric knife sharpener is an appliance that may compete for space on your countertop, depending on how often you use it. Larger electric knife sharpeners tend to be more stable than smaller versions, which can make them more precise and easier to use. Electric knife sharpeners can also be harder to clean, so make sure the knife sharpener you choose effectively clears out any metal filings and collects them in a removable tray.