A sharp knife is every chef’s best ally, transforming meal prep into an effortless, enjoyable experience. But even the finest blades dull over time, losing their edge and making tasks frustrating or even hazardous. Enter knife sharpeners—the unsung heroes of every kitchen, designed to restore your blades to their original glory.
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From precision honing tools for culinary artisans to quick and convenient gadgets for busy home cooks, the market offers a range of options to suit every need. Whether you’re slicing, dicing, or carving, a reliable knife sharpener ensures your tools remain razor-sharp and ready for action. Discover the best options to keep your kitchen knives performing like new!
Top Best Knife Sharpeners Reviews
Let’s look at some of the best 5 and get into their details!
#1. Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener.
If you’re not inclined or don’t have the time to master the technique required for a whetstone, the Work Sharp Precision Adjust is a solid alternative. While there’s a slight compromise in edge quality compared to a well-used whetstone, this swing-arm sharpener offers an intuitive design that simplifies the sharpening process.
- INCLUDES 7 ABRASIVES: The seven abrasive grits…
- ADJUSTABLE, REPEATABLE, CUSTOM: The sharpening…
- FAST & EASY: Quickly index between grits on each…
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY: All Work Sharp sharpeners come…
- DESIGNED, ENGINEERED, & CALIBRATED IN OREGON: We…
Once set up, it allows you to achieve a precise edge with minimal effort. Its variable angle dial can be adjusted to any setting between 15° and 30°, and the sharpening system includes two diamond abrasives and a ceramic hone. These features delivered some of the sharpest refinishes among the models we tested.
Although the fine ceramic abrasive performed well in a paper-cut test, finishing with a leather strop (sold separately) resulted in an even cleaner and sharper edge. The Precision Adjust shares some limitations with similar models, like the Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone, though its angle discrepancy was less noticeable.
One drawback is its wide clamp, which can make sharpening smaller knives, such as pocket knives, more challenging. However, for standard chef’s knives—especially compact styles like a Santoku—it provides excellent results with minimal effort.
#2. Chef’sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect Knife Sharpener.
This professional-grade electric knife sharpener hones both Japanese- and European-style knives in three efficient stages. The standout feature of the Trizor XV is its ability to convert 20-degree factory edges to a sharper 15-degree angle, offering precision that surpasses many standard settings.
- CONVERT YOUR KNIVES: Ideal for converting…
- DIAMONDS: Advanced stropping stage and 100 percent…
- EASY TO USE: Advanced, patented flexible spring…
- THREE STAGES: 3-Stage EdgeSelect sharpening system…
- RAZOR SHARP: The 15 Trizor XV combines the…
However, achieving this conversion does require patience, as it takes multiple passes—potentially dozens—to reshape the blade. Measuring 12 x 6 x 6.4 inches, the Trizor XV is compact enough to store in a cabinet but may feel slightly bulky on the counter in smaller kitchens.
It earned its status as an upgrade pick for its ability to deliver professional-grade results across your entire knife collection at a fraction of the cost of professional sharpening services. The system is versatile enough to handle serrated edges and hunting knives, adding to its appeal.
A major advantage is its precision guide, which ensures your knife stays at the ideal angle, removing the risk of uneven edges. It’s also much faster than manual sharpeners, delivering razor-sharp results in just minutes. If you’re looking for a top-tier sharpener that’s both effective and easy to use, the Trizor XV is an excellent investment.
#3. Presto Professional Electric Knife Sharpener.
The Presto Professional EverSharp electric knife sharpener uses a ceramic sharpening system to restore dulled blades to razor-sharp precision in just three stages. Its built-in guides and blade thickness selector simplify the sharpening process, ensuring optimal angles for various knife types.
- Easy 3-stage sharpening system for professional…
- Sharpens kitchen and sport knives, even Santoku…
- Blade thickness selector adjusts guides to optimum…
- Select thick for hunting knives, medium for chef’s…
- Blade guides hold knife at the perfect angle for…
This sharpener is versatile, accommodating everything from thick hunting knives to delicate paring knives. Measuring 18 x 11 x 2 inches, the device’s larger footprint means it will take up some counter space, but its multifunctional convenience makes it a worthwhile trade-off for many users.
In our baguette test, this machine produced one of the best bread knife edges among its peers, making it stand out for performance. While the Professional EverSharp costs more than the basic Presto model, it offers significantly greater versatility while remaining budget-friendly overall. However, it does have a few shortcomings.
During testing, the sharpener struggled to fully sharpen blade tips, especially on curved knives, leading to some tearing in a paper-cut test near the tip. Additionally, applying too much pressure caused minor scratches on the blade sides, which, while not affecting performance, may be an aesthetic drawback for some users. Despite these issues, it remains an effective and affordable choice for most sharpening needs.
#4. Work Sharp Ken Onion Knife Sharpener Tool.
The Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition features a belt sander-style design that might seem more suited to a workbench than a kitchen counter, but its versatility is unmatched. Named after renowned knife designer Ken Onion, this sharpener is one of the few we tested that can restore even the most worn-out knives to factory-level sharpness.
- KEN ONION DESIGN: Designed and intended for edge…
- PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL SHARPENING: The Ken Onion…
- EASY-TO-USE: It sharpens every knife you own using…
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY: All Work Sharp sharpeners come…
- DESIGNED, ENGINEERED, & CALIBRATED IN OREGON: We…
It offers a variable edge angle adjustment, allowing you to choose between 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30° settings. With a five-tier abrasive system ranging from 120 to 6000 grit, this model is capable of sharpening a wide variety of tools. We tested it on kitchen knives, scissors, pocket knives, and even hedge shears. Extra attachments are available for larger tools like axes and other oversized blades.
While the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition may look unconventional compared to traditional knife sharpeners, it’s surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable to use. Although it took some time to master, once we became familiar with the setup, it consistently produced a shiny, mirror-like finish and a perfectly convex edge in just 5-10 minutes.
#5. HORL 2 Rolling Kitchen Knife Sharpener.
Sometimes, a fresh approach reinvents an old task—in this case, knife sharpening. Instead of manually scraping a knife against an abrasive surface or dragging it through grinding wheels, this innovative tool keeps the knife stationary while the sharpener rolls alongside it, honing the edge at a precise angle.
- The HORL2 sharpener has the flexibility to satisfy…
- The HORL2 sharpening system combines diamond and…
- Achieve a sharp, long-lasting edge on your knives…
- Create a finely honed, razor-sharp edge on your…
Using this sharpener felt almost like playing with a toy car on a table—simple and fun. The set we tested included a magnetic block with angled sides (15° and 20° options) and a rolling sharpener. To use it, attach your knife to the block at the desired angle, place the block on a flat surface, and roll the sharpener back and forth along the knife.
The sharpening disk precisely shapes the edge while the knife stays securely in place. To sharpen the other side, just reposition the knife on the block (unless you’re working with a single-beveled blade).
This tool was intuitive and nearly foolproof, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users who enjoy manual sharpening. One standout feature is its safety: since one hand holds the block and the other controls the roller, your hands stay far from the blade. It’s a practical and user-friendly solution for sharpening knives with confidence and ease.
Conclusion
A sharp knife is the key to precision, safety, and joy in the kitchen, and the right sharpener ensures your blades stay in peak condition. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, investing in a quality knife sharpener is a game-changer. Choose the one that suits your needs and keep your culinary creations effortless and enjoyable.