Best Knife Sharpeners (Buyer’s Guide & Reviews)

If you’re looking for a quick guide to choose the best knife sharpeners in the market then search no more because we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’re going to reveal to you the top knife sharpeners in the market that are both dependable and durable.

​Truth be told, a good knife sharpener is one of the most important tools that should be found in a kitchen. No matter how organized and rich your kitchen is, if you do not have an efficient sharpening tool for your dull knives then, your kitchen is incomplete.

However, we understand that it can be a daunting task to find a good sharpener for your dull knifes which why we created this ultimate resource, a one-stop-shop designed to give you the best guide you will ever need to chose the perfect sharpeners for your knifes including the top knife sharpener reviews out there.

Knife sharpening is the process of making a knife that is blunt sharp in order to restore its efficiency. Many celebrity chefs on the TV always use a sharpening steel to sharpen their cooking knifes but, there is a great different between a knife sharpener and a sharpening steel and also, they perform different functions.

Steel is required only when your knife is already sharp; it is used to polish the edge of the knife in order to remove any deformation however if the knife is already dull then, it must be sharpened with a good knife sharpener to bring back its edge.

Here’s the best knife sharpening tools review of 2019!

Choosing The Best Knife Sharpeners of 2022

In order to assist you in choosing the ideal sharpener for your needs, we performed the following work:

• We selected the highest rated, best knife sharpeners and then, presented them in a Comparison Chat. This will enable you to easily inspect and compare each type and also measure their pros and cons before making your choice.
• Next, we reviewed the top rated, best-selling knife sharpeners judging by the way consumers rated them on Amazon.
• Lastly, we listed the different kinds of knife sharpeners there are in the market backed up with comprehensive buying guide.

Having shown you the table containing the top knife sharpeners in the market, we will go ahead to review each one of the products listed on the comparison table, the main aim of doing this is to enable you make an informed decision when you want to buy your knife sharpener of 2021.

We also hope all the products discussed here will make it to the list of our best knife sharpeners of 2022.

Best Knife Sharpening Tools Review

1. Smith’s 50281 Adjustable Edge Pro Electric Knife Sharpener: Our Best Pick

Most chefs consider this the best knife sharpener in the market because of its wide and amazing features especially the fact that its adjustable which means that, you can easily adjust to the factory angle or even adjust to your own desired angle.

This awesome knife sharpener eliminates the possibility of damage to your blade and also reduces the amount of time needed to sharpen your knife. It also leaves no hum on the cutting edge after sharpening.

Furthermore; The Smith’s Adjustable edge pro has an interlocking sharpening wheel which enables it to deliver fast precise sharpening of both sides of the blade equally and simultaneously.

Another mind blowing feature of this sharpener is that, it also comes with a manual serrated blade sharpener, and non-slip rubber feet. You can fold this serrated blade sharpener into the side of the sharpener when you’re not making use of it. It is designed to sharpen everything ranging from extremely blunt blades to already sharpened blades in need of a quick touch up.

The interlocking wheel on the Smith’s adjustable edge pro will sharpen knifes made of carbon, alloy or stainless steel with a flat hone on both sides of the blade. From what I’ve seen, the type of knives it can sharpen very well includes…. custom knives, outdoor sport knives, hunting/fishing knives, kitchen knives, tactical style knives, or everyday pocket knives, etc.

One thing I don’t like about this knife sharpener is that, it can be really difficult when setting it up the first time especially if you’re new to this type of tools but if you pay close attention to the user manual, you can jump over this setting up issue but overall, it’s the best and you should give it a shot.

2. Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener

The Chef’s Choice Trizor XV Sharpener is another good knife sharpener people like to use. It comes with ultra-sharp edge-select technology and the stability of a triple bevel edge; with this tool, you can hone your knives to a high performance 15 degree angle.

It is made of efficient flexible stropping disks which will sharpen the edge of your blades with minimal metal removal, helping to extend the life of fine knives.

Like I mentioned above, the Chef’s Choice Trizor XV Sharpener is made of three stages. Diamond abrasives on the conical disks in the first stage create very fine micro- grooves (for more bite), while simultaneously creating the first major bevel of the arch shaped edge.

The second stage uses even finer diamond abrasives on conical disks which shape the second, smaller bevel with finer microgrooves. And, the third stage uses the patented flexible abrasive stropping disk system to create a microscopically smooth, sharp edge. The stage 3 is also designed to sharpen serrated knives.

However, one problem with this tool is that it makes a bit of noise while sharpening your knives but, I think that should be expected when one is grinding a metal. Sometimes, it can also be a bit difficult to use on small paring knives also, the top guard can damage if you do not handle it well. Just ensure that you take proper care of this tool while using it.

Finally, it’s also advised that you read the instruction manual that comes with this sharpener before using it so that you will not make a mistake.

3. Chefs Choice Model 1520 Angle Select Sharpener

This is an electric multi-stage knife sharpener which can create an incredibly like-new sharp edge of your blades. It is designed to sharpen Asian, European and American style knifes and, you can safely and confidently use it on high quality knives.

The Chefs Choice model 1520 angle select sharpener can sharpen sports knives, pocket knives, fine-edge or serrated blades, Santuko and traditional Japanese-style single-bevel edges, including the thicker Deba-style blades, as well as double-bevel blades.

Its unit can restore a 20-degree edge for European- and American-style knives and a 15-degree edge for Asian-style knives.

The sharpener has a 3 stage system which produces a perfect edge. It was assembled in America and comes with a simple on and off switch, a stabilizer feet and a durable construction. The knife sharpener measures 12 by 6-1/5 by 6-2/5 inches and the good thing about it is that they manufacturers offers a three-year limited warranty.

The additional flexibility of both 15 and 20 degree diamond slots and improved guides makes this sharpener a superior choice. The Chef’s Choice 1520 electric sharpener is highly recommended

4. Edge Pro Apex 4 Knife Sharpening System

This is one of the best manual knife sharpeners out there and it is designed to sharpen any shape or size of blade. It can sharpen up to 3.5” wide including serrated knives. It makes the sharpening of your blades so fast and with this tool, you will never work with a blunt knife again.

The Edge pro apex 4 knife sharpener comes with so many mouth watering features which made it unique among equals. Some of the features you might want to be aware of include…..

• The sharpener has a custom formulated water stones free you from messy, gummed – up oil stones. This stones are long lasting, easy and inexpensive to replace.
• It removes less metal than electric sharpeners thereby eliminating wavy edges which will enhance the life and performance of your knives.
• Removes nicks and dings without distorting the knife edge.
• It can be set up in seconds on any smooth surface and, it does not require electricity to function which is the most interesting thing about it.
• It also requires no form of maintenance other than routine cleaning.
• Finally, it has adjustable sharpening angles ranging from 10, 15, 18, 21, and 24 degrees.

All these interesting features are what made edge pro apex 4 knife sharpener a must have in every kitchen. Another thing that is cool is that, the manufacturers of this product offers a very quick customer support and can easily refund your money if you don’t like the tool.

5. Wusthof Precision Edge Diamond Electric Sharpener

Every great knife also deserves a great sharpener and if you have some great knives in your kitchen then, the wusthof precision edge diamond electric sharpener is for you. It gives you an ultra sharp factory edge and also comes with interlocking diamond abrasive wheels. These wheels are crafted in America by Norton who is a long time leader in sharpening stones.

The interlocking diamond wheels in this sharpening tools sharpens both sides of the blade simultaneously as quick as possible with minimal or no effort and, the unit assures equal treatment of both sides of the blade for a true uniform edge.

The Wusthof electric sharpener comes with two different settings however, the initial setting is for coarse grinding of nicked or damaged blades and the fine setting will easily restore you to a factory edge.

However, whenever you’re sharpening your knives with this tool, it is very necessary to ensure that you carefully position the knife in the slot vertically because it has no alignment mechanism and it’s quite easy to pull the knife through on an angle.

6. Mercer Cutlery Double Diamond Manual Knife Sharpener

Mercer is a highly respected company in the culinary trade and they are known for their quality products. Having this in mind, there’s no doubt that the Mercer cutlery double diamond manual sharpener is a very good product. It is a very unique three stage knife sharpener.

It is also very easy to use with no extra knowledge and, the best thing is that it does not also require electricity to perform. With this sharpener, all your knives will always be as sharp as a razor blade.

7. Work Sharp WSKTS-KO Knife and Tool Sharpener

This knife sharpener is Work Sharp and Ken Onion edition. Work sharp is known brand in the U.S and they’re know for their quality tools especially knife and tool sharpening systems.

The Work Sharp knife sharpener is designed to sharpen every type of type with ease; it makes use of a fully adjustable precision sharpening guide, premium 12 inches flexible abrasive belt, and heavy-duty variable speed motor.

The tool ​can sharpen:

• Kitchen knives
• Hunting knives
• Pocket knives
• Fishing knives
• Outdoor knives
• Fillet knives
• Tactical knives
• And absolutely any of knife including yard tools and scissors.

It is fast and delivers consistent result all the time. With the tools adjustable angle guide, you can easily turn the adjustable knob to select your desired sharpening angle ranging from 15 to 30 degrees. You do not need any tool, complicated jigs or set-up time.

Similarly, the Work Sharp WSKTS-KO Knife and Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition also have a premium abrasive belt which is used to put a strong, long lasting convex edge on your blades. With this tool, you can equally sharpen any type of blade including tanto, ceramic, curved, re-curved, and every other type of blade out there. You can also use it to repair ceramic blades and sharpened with optional diamond belts with less stress and efforts.

Finally, apart from sharpening all your knives and tools, this knife sharpener is very versatile and expandable with optional attachments which give you the opportunity to create custom knife profiles, edge finishes, and bevels.

You have everything to gain when you purchase this knife sharpener as it’s one of the best out there. Apart from the fact that this tool requires a bit learning curve before you can use it properly, I didn’t notice any other thing wrong with it.

Just give it a try and see for yourself.​

8. Chef’s Choice 270 Diamond Hone Hybrid Knife Sharpener

This is a new efficient 3-stage knife sharpener by Chef Choice, it’s also their most advanced hybrid sharpener. Chef Choice is a popular brand in the knife sharpening industry and has bagged so many praises from chefs and home cooks over time especially as a result of this knife sharpener.

The Chef’s Choice 270 Diamond Hybrid Knife Sharpener is combined with their acclaimed crisscross sharpening technology, and electric as well as manual knife sharpening stages which provides superior edge geometry and razor sharp edges on both straight edge and serrated knives.

The diamond abrasive wheel in this sharpener sharpens at the same time (into) and (out-of) the edge for a superior burr-free edge. It equally features an elegant and durable brushed stainless steel knife guides, the first and second stages are electric and uses 100% diamond abrasives for fast and easy shaping and sharpening of your knife edges.

Similarly, the third stage uses ultra-fine diamond abrasive wheels meant for a razor-sharp, polished, arch-shaped edge which is stronger and durable. This third stage is also used to sharpen serrated knives. The tool is manufactured by Edgecraft.

9. Chef’s Choice 120 Diamond Hone 3-Stage Professional Knife Sharpener

According to the manufacturers of this knife sharpener, it’s another sharpening breakthrough. It is yet another knife sharpening system by the prestigious company “Chef Choice”. It includes 100% diamond-coated disks in stage 1 and 2 and a groundbreaking stropping and polished disks in stage 3.

With the Chef’s Choice 120 Diamond Hone 3-stage Professional Knife Sharpener, you can easily obtain an edge of unprecedented sharpness and durability on both straight edge and serrated knives.

The faultless well polished fine edge can be made to suit the cutting disk. This tool has a high precision and with its electronic angle guide, all guess work is eliminated. The beauty of it all is that the company gives their entire customer a 3-year limited warranty; this tells you how much trust they have on this sharpener.

This knife sharpener can be used to sharpen your hunting and sporting knives, serrated knives, butcher knives and cleavers, gourmet kitchen knives, etc. It lets you select the edge to match the need of any knife you’re sharpening and it’s always lightning fast.

The first stage is used for excessively dull knife or for maximum edge bite. Diamond abrasives create first facet.

The second stage is used for routing sharpening. Finer-grit diamonds create a second bevel.

Finally, for the third stage, patented material creates third micro bevel and polished micro-flute cutters along the well-sharp edge.

10. Brod & Taylor Professional Knife Sharpener

The Brod and Taylor knife sharpener makes knife sharpening tasks a breeze. As the name suggests, it’s a professional knife sharpening tool, one of its kind and works perfectly in sharpening many types of knife, even serrated knives.

The good thing is that the tool is super easy to use and anyone can achieve incredible results in seconds.

With this knife sharpener, you can hone high-quality Damascus blades without fear of the blade getting damaged. It can also sharpen Japanese-style (single beveled edge) knives.

It features precision-ground ultra-hard carbide sharpeners on patented spring-action bars which automatically adjust to easily accommodate different blade angles.

While using the Brod and Taylor knife sharpener, you can sharpen and hone all your knives effortlessly just with a simple change in hand position.

If you’re still considering which best knife sharpener to buy then, this might be way you need because of its ease of use also, it’s one of the best manual knife sharpeners out there.

Different Types of Knife Sharpeners in The Market

We have mainly two types of knife sharpeners and they are Electric knife sharpener and Manual knife sharpener however, the one you chose depends on your own preference. Both knife sharpening systems are good but, they differ in so many ways.

When you want to purchase a knife sharpener, the first thing is to determine what you want. Do you want a manual or electric knife sharpener?

Manual Knife Sharpener

This is the type of sharpener we’ve been using before the inception of technology. It requires little practice before you master how to use it and it’s generally cheaper than electric sharpening system.

One of the reasons why I love this type of sharpener is that it does not require electricity to perform. You know we can have problems with light sometimes and, it will never affect this sharpening system.

The main downside of it is that it consumes lots of time than the electric sharpener. But if you have all the time in the world then, you might consider going for this type of sharpener. Again, some manual knife sharpeners make use of sharpening stones eventually, the stones need to be replaced and it might be difficult to find such stones sometimes. Manual sharpeners is also labor intensive.

However, when you use a manual sharpener, you need to maintain the right amount of pressure so your knife is well sharpened. The good thing is, manual sharpening systems give you control over the areas you sharpen and they consumes less space in your kitchen more than the electric knife sharpeners.

Electric Knife Sharpener

This is the simplest knife sharpening system. It makes knife sharpening very easy and a fun work to do. An electric sharpener does not require any special skill before using it, the only thing you need to know is how to switch it ON and OFF.

You can use electric sharpeners to sharpen and polish your knife as well however; the only downside of it is that, it is hard to make the disks clean and, this can become a big issue if you are sharpening knives that were not really clean.

Secondary, it is more expensive than the manual sharpeners and, it also makes use of electricity which means that you cannot operate it without light. Another unfortunate thing about this type of sharpener is that they are larger in size and therefore, consumes more space in the kitchen.

Again, electric sharpeners cannot sharpen every type of knife, it is ideal for straight edged knives, while serrated knifes need to be sharpened using manual sharpeners. However, some electric knife sharpeners like the Smith Edge Pro also provide a slot for manual sharpening so you can also sharpen your serrated knives.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Knife Sharpener (Buying Guide)

Before deciding on the ideal knife sharpener for your need whether the manual or the electric knife sharpener, there are some certain factors you need to pay attention to so that you will not make a mistake. We have taken the time to break these factors here so it will be easy for you to decide.

1. Manual or Electric Knife Sharpener

The very first thing to consider when buying a knife sharpener as I mentioned before is to know whether you need the electric sharpener or manual knife sharpener. An electric sharpener makes the job much easier for you and this means that you can sharpen a large number of knives in a very short period of time without feeling exhausted.

There are many smaller counter top electric sharpeners out there and also a larger one for commercial knife sharpening. But, if you have a smaller kitchen, you might consider going for the manual type, just bear in mind that it will require much efforts and time on your part.

2. Cost and Quality

When you’re trying to purchase a knife sharpener, it’s always advisable to go for the best you can afford. You don’t want to pick a sharpener just because it is cheap remember the phrase “You will always get what you paid for” so, if you like going cheap, there is every chance that you will end up buying an inferior sharpener which will not perform efficiently and will not even last for long.

So, I will advice that you take time and review the knife sharpener you want to buy not based on the price but focus more on quality regardless of the brand. Again, it all depends on what you want the sharpener for. Take for instance, if you have a restaurant, you will need a more effective sharpener than a person that is just using it for domestic purposes so, chose wisely.

3. The Brand of The Sharpener

There are so many knife sharpener brands in the market and, it can really be confusing when you go to buy one the first time. You will be presented with so many options that will end up confusing you.

The good thing is that each brand comes with diverse features so, it is of utmost importance to compare the brands before making a purchase because, that is the only way you can find the best knife sharpener for your needs.

Currently, some of the leading brands in the market includes….. Wusthof, Chef’s Choice, Lansky, Warthog, Accusharp, etc.

4. The Material its Surface is made of

The surface of knife sharpeners are made of different materials including Ceramic, Stone, Diamond and Steal. The ceramic and stone made surface makes the blade of your knife very sharp but, the only disadvantage they have is that they can easily break when you drop them on the ground so, such sharpeners are not easy to handle as they requires some special skill.

However, ceramic sharpener only requires a small amount of maintenance on your part. Furthermore, the diamond surface sharpeners can also give you a really sharp blade but, they don’t break easily like the forma.

All these are what you need to pay attention to before buying any sharpener for your knife. And before using any brand, you need to master its safety precautions especially if you’re going to choose the electric type sharpener which is more preferable based on its ease of use and fast delivery.

Advantages of Having a Knife Sharpener in your Kitchen

The benefits of having a knife sharpener in your kitchen cannot be over emphasized because, it’s the only tool you can use to sharpen your knife effectively and we all know how boring and tedious it can be when you’re working with a blunt blade.

Having a blunt knife is like cutting a piece of wood with a dull blade. You might actually end up getting the work done but, you will need to add more pressure which might end up injuring you.

Furthermore, ensuring your knives are sharp is not only convenient but, it’s also safe; it will also make your work easier. Every chef will tell you that blunt knives are prone to accident and, I’m sure you don’t want this to happen to you. So, instead of calling on the neighborhood sharpener whenever your blade is dull, why don’t you get your own knife sharpener now?

This takes me to a question I was once asked: How often should you sharpen your knives?

I guess you’ll get different answers to this question but in my own humble opinion, it all depends on how often you use your knives. Take for instance, a butcher or someone working in a restaurant will be using his knives on a regular basis and so, he will need to be sharpening it often but, if you’re just using your knives for domestic purposes then, you will need to be sharpening less often.

Top Knife Sharpeners | Conclusion

We now know how boring it can be when you’re working with a dull knife so, what exactly is stopping you from purchasing your own knife sharpener now?

One thing is to have the knife and another thing is to keep it sharp so that your work will always be easy and fast. When you’re using a blunt blade, you will discover that you will be applying more pressures in order to cut a thing and, the worst thing is that if you’re not very careful, you might end up getting yourself injured because, the knife is likely to slip off.

I’m sure that by now, you will be able to choose the best knife sharpener for your needs and please, do let me know if this guide helped you in anyway.