The Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener
Keeping your knives razor sharp is essential for comfortable cooking. Nothing is more irritating than hacking away while you’re preparing the evening meal with poor results. Being able to dice, slice, mince, and cube is a must for any budding chef, and that means keeping your kitchen tools in tip-top condition.
If you’re in the market for a knife sharpener, this article is for you. We have selected what we think are the best knife sharpeners available along with their key characteristics in hopes that one might work well for you.
- Popular, with a high volume of sales on Amazon
- Safe and easy to use, and suits all blade types
- Delivers a precision edge in 2 seconds
- Non-slip suction base for safe use
- Small and compact for easy storage
- Dimensions: 2.4 x 2.6 x 2.4
- Weight: 3.2 oz
- Electrically operated sharpener
- Fits serrated and straight blades
- 1-minute initial sharpen, and then every re-sharpen takes just 10-seconds
- 3-year limited warranty
- 100 percent diamond abrasives
- Dimensions: 10 x 4.2 x 4.2
- 4.2 lbs
- Course and fine sharpening
- Compact for easy storage
- Non-slip base for added safety
- Sharpens double-beveled European and American style knives
- Carbide sharpening blades
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.1 x 5.9
- Weight: 0.48 oz
- Sharpens like a professional
- Auto blade position for zero mistakes
- 2-stage sharpening
- 1-year limited warranty
- Heavy-duty non-slip base
- Dimensions: 9.8 x 4.9 x 7.2
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Suitable for straight and serrated edge knives
- Carbide and ceramic sharpening blades
- Great for camping and outdoor use
- Reversible and replaceable blades
- Preset sharpening angle for perfect results
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 1 x 0.1
- 1 oz
- 3-stage sharpening
- Electrically operated for efficient sharpening
- Adjustable blade selector
- 1-year limited warranty
- Sapphirite and ceramic sharpening wheels
- Dimensions: 18.4 x 11.2 x 2.2
- Weight: 5.07 lbs
- 2-stage sharpening
- Safe and easy to use
- Non-slip base for comfort and safety
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee or your money back
- Sharpens scissors too
- Dimensions: 8 x 2.2 x 2.5
- Weight: 8.2 oz
- 2-sided sharpening set
- Non-slip base for safe and secure use
- Comes with an instruction video and a PDF user guide
- Made from Corundum
- 1-year 100 percent money back guarantee
- Dimensions: 9 x 4.3 x 2.6
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
This quirky little knife sharpener boasts that with just three swipes dull knives are sharp again. Its high sales volume suggests it is popular, and the compact design certainly makes this thing easy to carry, stow, and use. It has a locking suction base for safety, and the company states that if you don’t love it, they’ll refund your money and you can keep the sharpener.
Pros
- Compact and easy to carry
- Great design and color
- Suits all blade types
- Delivers a precision edge in 2-seconds
Cons
- Sharp edges don’t last that long
- Takes a lot of material off the blade
- Don’t use to sharpen expensive knives
This knife sharpener offers 3-stage sharpening, and because it’s electrically operated it will perform with the minimum of effort. At over $100, this sharpener isn’t cheap, but it does come with a 3-year limited warranty. The company claims that the initial sharpening will take approximately 1 minute, and after that, every re-sharpen will only take 10 seconds.
Pros
- Electric sharpener for minimum effort
- Suitable for serrated and straight blades
- 3-year warranty
- 100 percent diamond abrasives
Cons
- It damages the blades during sharpening
- Poor build quality
- Takes off too much material from the blade
This compact knife sharpener comes in three fun colors and offers 2-stage sharpening with carbide blades. It will handle double-beveled European knives as well as American style knives, and because it is small, it’s also easy to store away. It also has a non-slip base for reliability and control.
Pros
- Compact, and available in 3 colors
- Sharpens double-beveled edge knives
- Carbide blades
- Non-slip base
Cons
- Small size could be an issue when sharpening bigger knives
- Can dull very quickly
This Linkyo sharpener has an automatic blade positioner for perfect results, and the 2- stage sharpening will reshape the knife angle and then hone and polish the blade. This sharpener handles straight edge knives only, so no scissors or serrated edges.
It also has a blade protector feature that shuts off the machine when too much downward pressure gets applied.
Pros
- 1-year warranty
- Auto blade position for perfect results
- Non-slip base for safety
- Electrically operated
Cons
- Auto shut off too sensitive and motor cuts out
- Poor sharpening results
- Build quality issues
This travel sharpener is great for outdoorsy people. It a compact pocket size but not so small that it’s ineffective. It has replaceable blades and a tapered diamond rod for flat edges. It offers 2-stage sharpening: A carbide blade sharpens, while the ceramic one polishes.
Pros
- Small and easy to carry
- Great for outdoor pursuits
- 2-stage sharpening
- Preset sharpening angles for better results
Cons
- Confusing instructions contradict the reversible blade claim
- Great for smaller knives
- Don’t sharpen expensive knives as may damage the blade
This electric Eversharp model by Presto has an adjustable blade selector for the best results, and because it’s electric, it does the job with no effort required. The sapphirite and ceramic wheels ensure that the 3-stage sharpening is effective and professional. This sharpener comes with a 1-year limited warranty and will suit most types of knife blades.
Pros
- 3-stage sharpening for professional results
- Electric for minimum effort
- Adjustable blade selector
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Adjustable selector not very effective
- Sensitive auto shut off at the slightest pressure
This 2-stage sharpener utilizes tungsten and ceramic blades for the best results. It has a non-slip base and a large handle for safety and ease of use. This thing is manufactured to withstand tens of thousands of strokes, so it will keep your knives sharp for years to come. The company is so confident that you’ll love it, they offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee with a full refund if you are dissatisfied in any way.
Pros
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
- Non-slip base and large grip
- Tungsten and ceramic blades
- Even sharpens scissors
Cons
- Doesn’t leave the sharpest edges
- Not great on ceramic knives
This whetstone is constructed from aluminum oxide and has two sides: there’s a rougher surface for sharpening and the smoother side for polishing the blade to an exceptional sharpness. It comes with a bamboo base that has a non-slip surface along with an instructional video and PDF manual.
This whetstone is a real all-rounder, tackling knives, chisels, axes, and machetes. It may not have the convenience of the other sharpeners, but there is little chance that this will malfunction, and with practice, you’ll be sharpening like the old Japanese masters.
Pros
- Won’t malfunction and damage your knives
- Comes with a bamboo base
- 1-year satisfaction guarantee
- Made from aluminum oxide (corundum)
Cons
- The whetstone chips easily
- Make sure the stone is dry before storing as mold can occur
- Takes practice to get the best results
Choosing the Best Knife Sharpener
When selecting the best knife sharpener, it is a choice between electric and manual. Electric sharpeners tick the convenience box and are great for the busy cook. The only downside is that with electric, you lose a certain amount of control of the sharpening process, so the final result may not be as refined.
Manual sharpeners take a little longer, but it might be worth the extra effort if you want to preserve the life of your best knives.
In addition to selecting between electric and manual models, here are some more parameters that should weigh into your selection:
Functions
Look for 2 or 3-stage sharpening and whether the sharpener is suitable for your type of knife. Some will handle serrated edges as well as straight, while others have double-bevel sharpening stones that tackle European and American knife styles. If you want a sharpener to use outside of the kitchen, then the Smiths Pocket Pal could be the one for you. It’s great for the outdoors and popular with fishers and hunters.
Power
When selecting an electric sharpener, look for the wattage. Most machines operate on around 125-watts, which is plenty for the size of the motor. If you apply too much pressure to the knife while operating the sharpener, most have an auto cut off that will stop the motor.
Styling
While manual sharpeners are easy to stow away, electric knife sharpeners can be big, bulky, and not very attractive. Remember that when you’re not using it, the electric sharpener will be challenging to store, so may end up sitting on the countertop. Some of the manual types have great design features. Our favorite design is the Sunrise Pro Supreme because of the bright color and unique barrel-shape.
Clever Technology
You might think that the electric sharpeners take this one, with auto shut off features, adjustable blade size selectors, and super-quick results, but manual sharpeners have some clever tech in them too. Take the Smiths Pocket Pal with its preset blade angle for perfect results and tapered diamond rod for straight edges.
Product Warranty
Expect between 1 and 3-years warranty. And if you’re buying an electric sharpener, expect that warranty to be limited. Just as a point of interest, the Sunrise Pro Supreme has a “Love it or keep it for free” policy. You have to love their confidence in the product!
Brand Reliability
The sales figures say it all: some of these sharpeners, like Smiths and Sunrise Pro, are selling in the thousands. Look at the reviews for an accurate picture before you commit your money. You can also speak to friends and family; they may have a sharpener already that they love or hate.
FAQ
Can I sharpen my ceramic knife using an electric sharpener?
Almost certainly not. The sharpening wheel or blades can shatter a ceramic knife as they aren’t as durable as the steel variety. Our best advice is to check with the manufacturer of both the knife and the sharpener before committing.
Are the electric sharpeners battery operated or plug-in?
Most electric sharpeners are a plug-in, but you can buy battery operated sharpeners.
Can I sharpen scissors on a knife sharpener?
You would need to check with the manufacturer’s guidelines. There are specific sharpeners that will handle scissors, but generally speaking you shouldn’t attempt to sharpen your scissors on a knife sharpener.
Final Thoughts
A knife is only useful if the blade is sharp, so a knife sharpener is essential if you want to maintain the performance of your kitchen knives. A good knife sharpener will enhance the dullest of blades, and prolong its life for years of cutting, slicing, and dicing. These blades aren’t that cheap to buy, so when you do invest in a multi-purpose knife, you want it to last the distance. Our favorite sharpener on this list has to be the Sunrise Pro Supreme for sheer quality, customer satisfaction, and the numbers sold on Amazon. It is simplicity personified, and maybe that’s why everyone loves it so much.
