Sharp knives make the culinary world go round, but finding the best knife sharpener isn’t simple. There are different types of electric sharpeners, some that are straightforward, and some with sharpening processes that involve as many as four stages. If you’re looking to keep things simple with a sharpening stone, there are different types of them too: oil, water, and diamond. Each has its pros and cons.
Fortunately, we’ve come up with a comprehensive list of the best knife sharpeners. We’ve cast a wide net that includes everything from the most elaborate mechanical devices to the simplest sharpening stones. We’re bound to have one that fits your needs, preferences, and budget.
The best knife sharpeners
Best choice: Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro Knife Sharpener
- Three-stage sharpener for 15° and 20° class knives
- 100% diamond abrasives
- With a soft and large handle
Pros
- Great for a variety of knives
- Superior sharpening qualities
- Honing and sharpening slots
Cons
- Reading the instructions first is a must
- Only suitable for 15° and 20° edges
With the Chef’s Choice 4643, your knives can be sharpened precisely. Once sharpened, the knife can be honed and then polished, with no rough or jagged edges left behind. The handle offers stability and extra grip for safety.
Both domestic kitchen knives and pen knives can be sharpened with three sharpening slots. With its high-speed performance, this top-notch sharpener has been designed to enhance the edge of any knife with a smooth cut. This kitchen knife sharpener works very well with Asian, European, and Western knives with 15° and 20° knife edges.
See Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro Knife Sharpener on Amazon
Safety first: Kitchellence Kitchen Knife Sharpener
- Three-stem system repairs, straightens, and sharpens
- Diamond sharpening rod
- Ergonomic handle
- Safety glove included
Pros
- Works for both left-handed and right-handed
- Great for Japanese and American knives
- Rubber non-slip base and glove for maximum safety
Cons
- Slow to sharpen
This tool sharpens almost any type of knife in your kitchen and comes fairly priced. It works wonders on dull knives and sharpening either right-handed or left-handed is easy with the non-directional handle.
It comes with a pair of protective gloves that ensure a steady grip. If you are not satisfied within 30 days of purchase, there is a money-back guarantee.
See Kitchellence Kitchen Knife Sharpener on Amazon
Most budget-friendly: KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
- Two-stage system can sharpen serrated knives and straight blades
- Small edge grip feature
- Non-slip base
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Great for a variety of knives
- Compact for easy storage
Cons
- Not quite enough space for stabilizing with your other hand, could be a safety issue
- You need to be quite gentle when sharpening
Sharpen your favorite straight-edge and serrated knife using the Smith’s Consumer KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener. This sharpener comes with two slots: one coarse sharpener for working on damaged and dull surfaces, and a fine honing slot for honing and polishing the knife’s edges. Although perfect for most types of knives, it’s important to note that this sharpener works best with straight-edged and double-beveled models. You can sharpen your good-steel serrated blades too, but be gentle.
Designed to provide a smooth finish, it boasts a firm base and promises smooth results with no uneven edges after sharpening. The compact size makes it easy to store.
See KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener on Amazon
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Best electric sharpener: Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
- Two-stage system for non-serrated knives
- Sapphirite sharpening wheels
- Non-slip base
Pros
- Super-fast sharpening
- Easier than using a manual sharpener
- Ideal for a variety of non-serrated blades
Cons
- Not as controlled
Sharpening dull knives at home using manually operated knife sharpeners can be tiring for your arms. The Presto 08800 Eversharp Electric Knife Sharpener will sharpen a knife in under a minute. It comes with sharpening wheels to create a polished blade that won’t dull easily.
All you need to do is place the knife blade in the correct sharpening position; you don’t have to worry about angles for optimum results. This is a fantastic electric sharpener that’ offers quick and effective results, justifying its price.
See Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener on Amazon
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Chef’s pick: Sunrise Pro Knife Sharpener
- Three-step sharpener
- Suction cup for stability
- Unique locking system
Pros
- It’s small, cheap, and effective
- Doesn’t discriminate between types of knives; good for Asian knives, steak knives, cleavers
- 100% money back satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Can be a bit aggressive so you may want to start with a soft touch
- Can be noisy, depending on the knife
The Sunrise Pro Sharpener is not the most glamorous or expensive sharpener on our list but it does one thing extremely well: It sharpens just about any kind of knife to whatever level of precision you’re after. It’s easy to use and mounts securely on your countertop to help eliminate slip-related accidents.
The Sunrise Pro doesn’t have the pedigree of some other knife sharpeners on our list but it performs as advertised. For a relatively cheap price, you get to restore all the knives in your kitchen, steak knives and meat cleavers included, to near pristine condition. On top of that, you can also sharpen your pocket knife, paring knife, fillet knife, chef’s knife, etc.
See Sunrise Pro Knife Sharpener on Walmart
Most compact: Chef’s Choice 2 Knife Sharpener
- Two-slot sharpener
- Tungsten carbide and ceramic sharpening elements
- Soft touch handle reduces slippage
Pros
- A no-nonsense sharpener that can handle just about any blade you present it
- Provides razor-sharp results
- Easy to use for righties or lefties
Cons
- Be mindful that your thumb may get close to the blade during the sharpening process
This sharpener is simple but reliable. The design works equally well for both left and right hand users.
This is the kind of tech we love: compact, reliable, durable, attractive, and cheap. Purists might argue that other sharpeners produce more exact results, but for 99% of us, this will do the job nicely.
See Chef’s Choice 2 Knife Sharpener on Amazon
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Best for Japanese knives: Chef’s Choice 463 Pronto Santoku Sharpener
- Two-stage system for sharpening and honing
- 100% diamond abrasives
- CrissCross technology for ultra-sharp results
Pros
- A true no-nonsense human-powered sharpener that gets the job done
- The ergonomic design keeps your hand out of harm’s way and allows you to hold the sharpener firm
- Ideal for Asian-style knives with serrated santoku edges
- Works for left and right-handers
Cons
- It can take some practice to find the ideal pressure that should be applied on this sharpener
Our second entry from Chef’s Choice is the 463 Pronto Santoku. This manual sharpener is super simple to use and delivers fast, sharp results. While this is a two-stage system, there’s nothing complicated about it. One slot is for coarse sharpening and the other for honing. Both stages utilize diamond abrasive surfaces so your blades will retain their edge for a long time.
This sharpener does an extraordinary job thanks mostly to the diamond abrasive wheels. You get an edge that’s both razor sharp and burr-free, as if you spent an hour working the edge on an oil stone. If people make a mistake with the 463, it’s that they assume more pressure is needed than is required. It really shines on serrated and straight-edged, double-bevel Asian-style knives.
See Chef’s Choice 463 Pronto Santoku Sharpener on Amazon
Best ceramic honing rod: DMT CS2 12 Inch Ceramic Sharpener
- 12in honing rod
- Plastic handle with large guard
- Indents in handle for extra grip
Pros
- Large comfortable handle
- With just a bit of practice, you’ll achieve professional-grade sharpness
- No oil or other liquid needed
- Lightweight with an effective safety flange to protect your hand
Cons
- Not ideal for complete beginners
- Not going to win any style awards
DMT is known for quality and reliability. The DMT CS2 12in Ceramic Stick is another fine example of their ability to create simple, affordable, and dependable products.
A great sharpener and honing device for all your kitchen knives, the CS2 will also do a bang-up job on your hunting, pocket, boning knife, and more. However, it does require a bit of getting used to.
A simple, effective, no-frills sharpener that sharpens knives quickly.
See DMT CS2 12 Inch Ceramic Sharpener on Amazon
Best diamond sharpener: Chef’s Choice 316 Diamond Sharpener
- Two-stage sharpening system
- 100% diamond abrasive in both stages
- Knife angle 15°
Pros
- 15° angle of attack produces a blade that’s perfect for precision work
- High build quality down to the rubber feet that stay firmly in place
- One-year warranty on materials and craftsmanship
- Great for most Asian-style knives
Cons
- Not the fastest sharpener
The final Chef’s Choice sharpener on our list is the 316 Diamond Sharpener. This one is at its best when used to sharpen Asian-style knives. This is a compact, two-stage electric sharpener that produces the 15° edge favored by Japanese chefs. Ideal for the preparation of sashimi or sushi.
This sharpener will restore your dull knives to professional sharpness. It’s a great, reliable, well-built kitchen appliance that requires no special knowledge or setup. The precision guides of the two-stage system make sure the blade is firmly held at the correct angle.
See Chef’s Choice 316 Diamond Sharpener on Amazon
Most ergonomic: AccuSharp 001 Sharpening Tool
- Tungsten carbide blades
- Handheld operation
- Curved handle
- Left-handed or right-handed operation
Pros
- Handles everything from your Swiss Army knife to your cleaver and axe
- The ambidextrous design keeps left-handed chefs in mind
- The handgrip is designed to eliminate accidents
- Less than $10
Cons
- Plasticky feel
While it looks like something used to attach buttons to shirts it’s actually one of the most cost-effective sharpeners. It’s compact, screwed together rather than glued so it’s sturdy, and its diamond-coated tungsten carbide wheels create an edge that will last.
This is a great sharpener for budget-conscious cooks. You can use it whether you’re right or left-handed, it has a convenient finger guard, and it only takes a few swipes on a regular basis to keep your knives in tip-top condition. It’s not glamorous but it will ensure your knives are sharp.
See AccuSharp 001 Sharpening Tool on Amazon
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Why trust us
A dull knife creates more work. They don’t produce clean cuts and can leave burrs and problematic shards in your food. I love to cook and make about 95% of my meals at home, so I need my knives sharp.
Who this is for
If you’re looking for a top-rated knife sharpener, this is the one-stop-shop. Whether you need to sharpen chef’s knives or your pocket knife, we have you covered.
How we picked
We focused on having a wide variety of products for all needs. We first consulted our testing team, then looked at best sellers and read hundreds of reviews.
Features to look for in knife sharpeners
Edge angle
Most kitchen knives are sharpened from 17° to 22° on each side. Most kitchen knives and chef’s knives sit in the 20° range, whereas Japanese knives should be 17° on each side. Larger, durable blades like hunting knives are in the 22° to 30° range.
Durability
Most knife sharpeners should last you between five to 15 years. In some cases, they can last a lifetime. You will want a durable product that does not quickly deteriorate or fall apart if dropped.
Functionality
When looking for the best knife sharpener, you will run into a couple of types of sharpeners. These include manual knife sharpeners, electric knife sharpeners, ceramic rods, and honing rods. Honing rods reshape the existing material to give a sharp edge. Sharpening slots and other types of knife sharpeners remove a layer of material and reshape the sharp straight edge.
Size
Generally, for a longer blade, you may need a longer manual or electric sharpener. However, most honing rods come in similar sizes.
Suitability
Your desired knife sharpener must be suitable for the job. For longer blades, you will need a correspondingly large knife sharpener, and for very sharp blades, hard abrasive material is necessary. The sharpening material of the knife sharpener should always be harder than the blade of your knife.
Safety
To prevent mishaps, safety is key. Most of the listed manual sharpeners are encased, which helps prevent direct harm to the body if the knife slips. When using sharpening steels or honing rods, make sure you always keep the knife pointed away from you.
Power and wattage
Since the sharpening process is under a minute long, electric knife sharpeners use very little power.
Knife sharpener FAQ
Q: How does a knife sharpener work?
The principle of a knife sharpener is very simple. Manual and electric sharpeners function similarly but one is electric. The abrasive material on the sharpening slot or sharpening stones must always be harder than the blade you wish to sharpen. If the knife is then treated with a sharpening steel, grindstone, or an electric sharpener, the abrasive material will cause the burr to reposition and align.
Q: Can I sharpen scissors with a knife sharpener?
It is not advisable to sharpen craft scissors or any other type of scissors with a knife sharpener, as you might end up with unwanted burrs and rough edges. It is better to purchase sharpeners made specifically for scissors.
Q: Do knife sharpeners cause damage to knives?
Damage can be prevented with the use of a quality knife sharpener. Additionally, it’s vital to avoid using knife sharpeners aggressively, especially those that are manually operated as some may cause the edges to chip off quickly. Creating a fine edge takes a gentle touch.
Q: How often can you use a knife sharpener?
Depending on the type of knife and how you use it, you can have your knives sharpened three to four times a year if you rarely use them. However, if used regularly, the right time to sharpen a knife is actually before each use. When sharpened regularly, you have a well-honed knife that never gets dull.
For most people, you can sharpen your knife as soon as it gets dull. Knives made from stainless steel or carbon steel usually require sharpening after every use.
Q: How do you know when it’s time to replace your knife sharpener?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of knife sharpener you own. A honing rod or honing steel should never need to be replaced, this type of device is moving the knife material to reshape it instead of removing material to create a sharp edge like a traditional manual sharpener. Knife-sharpening stones or whetstones may need to be replaced more often as they hollow out and create cracks. When you see damage to your whetstone or sharpener, it’s time to replace it. A diamond or ceramic honing rod should be replaced every five to 15 years, a knife-sharpening stone that lasts you a decade is an excellent deal.
Sources:
- Knife Sharpening – Wikipedia
- The Science Behind Knife Sharpening – Sushi Chef Knife
- Expert Tips On Knife Sharpening And More From Wüsthof’s Executive Chef – Forbes
