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What is the Best Knife Sharpener of 2024? Reviews & Top Picks

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Why do you need a good knife sharpener? A sharp-edged blade is the most important factor for any knife. Whether you are in the kitchen cutting vegetables or in the jungle surviving, you need a sharp knife. We all know that no knife comes with a sharp edge that will last forever. No matter what, your blade is likely to get dull after some time.
 
Knives become blunt when its surface wears off due to friction. The acidic content in fruits or vegetables is also responsible. It corrodes the edge’s steel and blunts its surface. Even though you can minimize this by choosing an acid-resistant knife Kyocera Advanced Ceramic knives , it is impossible to prevent it.

Best Knife Sharpener

Source: Paul VanDerWerf

Contents show

A Dull Knife is Safer!? Well, It Is a Myth!

Any knife requires regular maintenance for retaining its sharpness. It is a misconception that a dull knife is less likely to cut a finger. With a blunt knife, you will have to apply extra force to cut the way you want it. It may result in slipping or cutting your finger. On the other hand, a knife with a well-sharpened edge does not need much force, which makes it more secure.

Our Picks for the Best Knife Sharpeners to Buy in 2024

If you are in a hurry , here is our list of top sharpeners to buy now. If you scroll down to the bottom you can see discussion about these sharpeners.

 

Chef’s Choice 1520

Chef'sChoice 1520 AngleSelect Diamond Hone Electric Knife Sharpener for 15 and 20-Degree Knives 100-Percent Diamond Abrasives Stropping Precision Guides Made in USA, 3-Stage, White

Is the costliest one in this list and also versatile enough to handle American, Asian, and European style knives for restoring both 15 degree and 20-degree angles on respective knives. It features pure diamond abrasives and flexible discs, forming a gothic arch known for its superb sharpness and durability. Features advanced spring guide system for effortless precision-guided sharpening and comes with a 3-year limited warranty. >>Read Our detailed article on Chef’sChoice 1520 here

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

 

Smith’s 50264 Adjustable Manual Knife Sharpener

Smith's 50264 Adjustable Manual Knife Sharpener

Cheap manual pull through sharpener for wide variety of knives. Features two stage sharpening for serrated knives and standard knives (coarse and fine). It can sharpen knives at angles 14 to 24 degrees. It also features replaceable abrasive components like a soft grip handle and a non-slip rubber feet.

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Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition

Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition

Heavy duty electric belt knife sharpener with adjustable sharpening guide – from 15° to 30°. Features variable speed motor can handle every sharpening task. It can deliver a long lasting razor-sharp convex edge. It can sharpen scissors, shovels, axes and hatches and importantly made in America. >>Read Our detailed article on Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener here

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Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Stone Pro Sharpening Stone

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Stone Pro Sharpening Stone

Is a double-sided stone meant specifically for sharpening Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives of carbon and steel blades. The dark side is for restoring the shape, while the light side is for normal sharpening. There is no need of soaking this stone. It features 250/1000 grit for medium and rough fine sharpening. There is also a rubber feet for steady sharpening.

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Smiths 50364 X2 Pocket Pal Survival Tool

Smiths Consumer Products 50364 X2 Pocket Pal Survival Tool - Quantity 1

Cheap pocket knife sharpener for your outdoor knives, even more affordable than the Gerber Bear Grylls. It features a tapered diamond rod for grinding serrations and hooks, carbide grit for rapidly setting the edge, and ceramic finishing slot for finishing the edge. The included preset sharpening angles ensure you good results. It comes with a fire starter, Led light, single whistle, and a compass.

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Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System

Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System

It is capable of sharpening all knives easily with its latest sharpening technology available at some more dollars than the Lansky model. The set offers five sharpening hones, each with a different coarseness, finger groves for safety, and color code, catering to the sharpening needs of all kitchen, garden, and hobby knives. The coarseness options are extra-coarse, fine aluminum oxide, coarse, medium, and extra-fine ceramic. You also get a controlled-angle mechanism with adjustable angle options ranging from 17 to 30 degrees. The set also comes with precision clamp, guide rods, custom-molded carrying case, and honing oil.

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Wüsthof – 10″ Knife Sharpening Steel with Loop

Wüsthof - 10

Comes with a magnetic steel that attracts metal fibers. It’s cheap and features slip resistant plastic handle.

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Presto 08800 EverSharp

Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

It is also affordable but a bit costlier than the above model. It is designed as per North American electrical standards, which makes this model quite reliable at an affordable price. It features a two-stage sharpening system that can handle all non-serrated blades to give out the professional outcome. You get a highly sharp edge in a few seconds via its Sapphirite wheels, the tough material that professional shops tend to use. The precision guides take care of the right sharpening angle every time. The first stage precision grinding is responsible for forming a rightly angled edge. >>Read Our detailed article on Presto 08800 Eversharp Sharpener here

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Smith’s DRET Diamond Retractable Sharpener

Smith's DRET Diamond Retractable Sharpener

It’s cheap yet crafted from the highest quality materials. It’s built for performance and durability. It features tapered rod to sharpen serrated knives

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KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener

KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener, Black

It is small, portable, compact, easy to use, and perhaps even the most affordable one in this list. It comes with crossed ceramic rods (fine) and carbide blades (coarse) holding sharpening angles that take care of the right sharpening angle every time. Coarse material offers swift edge setting ability, while the fine material in rods ensures final edge honing. The sharpener also features V-grip bottom for using it on a table edge or countertop, soft-grip handle of rubber for stability, and non-slip rubber feet. Well, it is not for serrated blades. >>Read Our detailed article on KitchenIQ 50009 here

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Gerber Bear Grylls Field Sharpener [31-001270]

Gerber Bear Grylls Field Sharpener

Is cheaper than the Deluxe 5-stone system but demands a bit more than the Blade Medic one. It features a rugged and reliable construction, which is suitable for sharpening military, survival, industrial, and other knives. It is pocket-sized and portable manual sharpener featuring fie ceramic and coarse carbide grits for handling fine blades along with two rod-like diamond-coated mechanisms for serrated blades. The handle is also quite grippy and safe to hold, due to rubber construction. >>Read Our detailed article on Gerber 31-001270 here

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Is Sharpening and Honing the Same?

Well, they both are different, despite being used interchangeably quite often. Even in terms of action, they both tend to differ. Sharpening is discarding metallic particles from the edge to create a new cutting surface. Honing is the process of straightening the curved or bent edge. Both are essential for maintaining the edge.
 
Honing is the first process to be performed when the edge appears dull. Professional chefs hone before using a knife every time, with the help of a sharpening steel. If honing doesn’t work, sharpening is the obvious choice.
 
A high-quality blade usually needs sharpening once every four months, given the same use. The frequency of sharpening required depends on three factors: metal type in the blade, frequency of usage, and hardness of the blade. In case of an inexpensive knife, you might need to sharpen it often. On the other hand, a very good, high-quality blade may need sharpening once a quarter.
 

Types of Knife Sharpeners

Knife sharpeners can be grouped into two categories: Manual and Electric. Both use some material for discarding the metal, like ceramic, stone, or diamond.
 
Regardless of the type, each sharpener material features different grits. Grits range from extremely fine to highly coarse. Coarse materials are faster in discarding the metal, which is handy for blades that have become very dull. The finer grits take a late entry in the removal process, just as sanding a wooden furniture piece. Finest grits only polish the metal.
 

Manual Knife Sharpener

For thousands of years, manual sharpening of knives has been prevalent. Stones are the most ancient sharpeners and is used even today. Although ceramic sharpeners are modern offers. Manual sharpeners are available in different grits.
 
Following are the different types of manual sharpeners to consider:

Sharpening Stones- What to buy in 2024

best sharpening stone

Source:nullrend

A sharpening stone is a solid rectangular block or slab of ceramic, whetstone, diamond, or other material. Usually, they are one inch thick. You need to lubricate it before use. For example, you need to soak a traditional wheel whetstone in water before use.
 
Sharpening stones are useful for honing and grinding the edges of steel tools. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are designed as flat for flat edges, and a few come with a shape suitable for sophisticated sharpening.
 
Ideal for: A stone sharpener is seen in modern homes, as it can sharpen razors, scissors, knives, and other small and big blades. Sharpening stones are best for sharpening the dull edges, as it works by discarding a lot of material. But, using a sharpening stone flawlessly requires enough practice and skill.
 
Grits: Stone sharpeners are available in different grits. As a rule of thumb, a finer grit means finer edge result on the tool. Such grits cut more gradually, as they tend to discard less material. Each grit is associated with a number denoting the density of particles. If this number is higher, it means that the grit is finer. You can choose the right stone according to the grit need for the tool or knife to be sharpened.
 
Types: Modern stones for sharpening are usually oil or water stone. It needs water or oil for lubrication. However, if you use water, you cannot later switch to oil if the stone is flexible enough to accept both water and oil. Most sharpening stones are from India, Japan, and Arkansas.
 
These days, artificial and composite sharpening materials are commonly used. Most of them are composed of aluminum oxide (most traditional) that lubricates in soil or water. They are less expensive than the actual stones. Other composites might contain diamond dust of industrial-grade for quick removal.
 
Below are some stone sharpener types:
 
  • Oil Stone: This is the most affordable type of sharpening stone but has a slower cutting rate. The oil is quite messy, but there is no substitute for it if you want a fine finish. Oil stones are usually seen in hardware stores. The Arkansas oil stone is quite popular and comes in various grades. Washita is coarsest and very soft due to which it is avoided. Hard Arkansas is rare and expensive. Soft Arkansas is finer for having a smooth polished edge. The Indian stone made of aluminum oxide is more famous for an excellent finish.
Option:Smith’s TRI-6 Arkansas TRI-HONE Sharpening Stones System
  • Water Stone: This is a better option than an oil stone if your priority is quick cuts and easy cleanup. Since it’s made of aluminum oxide, it is very abrasive and soft and will wear away faster. So, you need to flatten it quite often. Water stones are made of natural or synthetic materials, but the natural ones are costlier and rarer to find.

Option:Norton 24335 Japanese-Style Combination Waterstone

  • Diamond Stone/Plate: Cleaning such a stone is easy, as it needs only a wire brush that discards shavings and small particles. Such stones are becoming popular because they can cut faster and prevent a recession in the sharpening surface. The durable diamond material has a metal plate holding micro-sized diamonds in it, with or without surface holes. The ones with holes are more popular and capable of sharpening better and faster. You may use the stone dry or wet. It is best to use it wet, as it prevents the diamond abrasive from weighing up with the removed particles.

Option:DMT W6EP 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone Sharpener

  • Ceramic Stone: Is a modern alternative but an early substitute for a natural sharpening stone. You can also find them as long rods or sticks with a handle just like sharpening steels or as pre-angled notches. Just like other stones, ceramic is manufactured using minerals. It has a less porous texture. Hence you need to soak it for a few minutes for saturating the pores. The ceramic stones are available at different qualities. A few are extremely soft, while some are quite hard. Because all knife steels tend to differ, you need to choose a ceramic stone suited to your knife. Ceramic stones are a good choice for single-edged knives.

Option:SHAPTON Ceramic whetstone Sharpening stone

  • Natural Stone: Is the sharpening stone used widely in ancient Europe and Japan. Good quality natural stone is expensive due to very few operative mines. Natural stones tend to give a lasting edge due to random grits that result in serration of various sizes. You can consider such a stone best for sharpening the Japanese knives having a single bevel.
  • Synthetic Stone: It is gaining more popularity than natural stones. It is usually made of fused aluminum grit perched in resin. While a few synthetics demand water soak before use, the rest need a splash. You will find different synthetic stones, including soft steel or firm steel. Consider using an artificial water stone for western-style steel knives. But, some will work nicely on the traditional, single-sided, Japanese edges.

Sharpening Steels – 2024 Picks

Best Sharpening Steel

Source: Ken Owen

If you go by the name, you will consider sharpening steel for sharpening a blade. Well, that’s a misnomer because sharpening steel is preferable only for honing blades.
 
Sharpening steels started their journey as hardened steel rods harder than the blade needs sharpening. These rods were used to disrupt the surface to abrasion. It was only helpful for reshaping the edge metal or light honing.
 
As a result, sharpening steels are now used for a knife’s upkeep, and not for sharpening a dull edge. For the latter, an electric sharpener or a sharpening stone is used.
 
A sharpening steel is a long, narrow steel or ceramic rod, which alleviates the contact with the blade to avoid removing material. Thus, it is not ideal for sharpening a dull edge. The rod distorts and realigns a blade to gain the original shape. Therefore, it is vital to use the rod before and after using the knife.
 
Despite the smooth design, it takes some time and experience to master the art of using these rods. Above all, you need to select the appropriate angle carefully, or else, the blade is likely to get damaged.

Cuts:

While the main job is honing, a steel rod with a specific style or cut can do the minor sharpening. Below are the four types of sharpening steel you can find in the market.
To chose which one to buy depends on your budget and preference for the sharpening option. We recommended using a sharpening steel rod made by the same brand of your knives.
 
Grits/Grit Rating: This is like sandpaper and gives you an idea of the exact edge type you will get. A finer grit means a smoother finished edge.
 
Ideal for: Honing your knives but not for blunt blades or thinning knives
Pros: Simple, flexible, diverse range, low maintenance due to no moving parts. Ability to hone a blade of any length
 
Cons: Needs some practice to sharpen at a constant angle. Time as well as effort consuming

Manual Knife Sharpening Systems

Leaving stones aside, you can choose a knife sharpening system that has stone as a sharpening material. Such a system is designed to keep a constant angle while sharpening.
If the angle is not constant, the resulting sharpness might be less. Further, the level of sharpness at different sections might. These systems usually come with some angle guide and rod specifications for retaining the angle at a constant level.
Ideal for: Sharpening at a constant angle, only for small knives but needs some practice time.
 
Pros: Simple, uniform angle and allows some flexibility. Sharpens at different sets of angles and low maintenance due to lesser moving parts and easy to practice.
 
Cons: Labor intensive but not as stones. Stone replacement. Risk of scratching due to the clamping system although preventable with adhesive tape

Top Manual Knife Sharpening Systems of 2024

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Manual Pull-through Sharpener Systems

Another option is a pull-through sharpener. You need to draw the blade via the sharpening section (grinding wheels) for sharpening it. Several of these units come with different grits in one.
 
While coarse and fine stages are typical, you can choose a model with up to four stages. But, pull through systems have a fixed angle due to which it’s flexibility is limited. Further, the manufacturers do not, many times, state the angle.
 
Consider this system if you have no time in mastering the sharpening skill with a stone or if you can guess the right sharpening angle. Such systems have single or multiple small grinding wheels with coarse or fine grit. The outcome is usually of lower quality than that of a stone, as it a jagged edge with sharpness lasting for a short period.
 
Still, you can expect a good touch by straightening the microscopic teeth to retain the blade in a superb condition without much effort. Pull through sharpeners are perfect for kitchen knives, but also work well with pocket knives and other types.
 
Ideal for: Soft edges due to fast and a bit rough handling of these systems. Not if you need sharp knives or for thinning knives.
 
Pros: Compact, and no external power required. Sharpens at uniform angle low maintenance, and easy to use.
Cons: Slower in case of only one stage. Not suitable for machete knives.

Top Pull Through Sharpener in the Market

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Electric Knife Sharpeners

For kitchen uses, an electric sharpener is a more comfortable choice. Because they are capable of applying the right angle on their own and easy and safer to use. Such sharpeners have two or three grits or stages, ranging from fine to coarse. Such models sharpen dull edges faster and better.
 
Several such sharpeners use diamond plates for sharpening. Such units are superb, as diamond is among the hardest substances on the planet. Other models use ceramic or titanium.
 
Like sharpening stones, these sharpeners also need maintenance. You need to clean an electric sharpener quite often. Some units may come with a self-cleaning mode.
 
Ideal for: Kitchen knives due to fast results and easy to use but not for thinning
 
Pros: Quick, uniform angle, low maintenance
 
Cons: Needs external power. Few stone collections for these systems, not reliable after some point of knife’s life.
We have a dedicated article on top electric knife sharpeners in the market.

Best Electric Knife Sharpeners in the Market

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Electric models are more popular than manual stones and manual systems. So, which type is best for your knives? Well, the answer to this depends on the buying factors explained below.

Type/Feature Electric Manual Stone Systems Stones
Knife Sizes Larger All All All
Speed Very Fast Slow Fast Slow
Precision Unsure Somewhat Very Much Accurate but only with skill
Steel Damage Yes, tempering No No No
Cost Costly Affordable Costly Broad Assortment
Fixed Angle Usually Yes Yes No No

How to Choose the Best Knife Sharpener

Now that you know about the different types of knife sharpeners let’s discuss some factors you should consider.

Factor 1 – Types of Knives:

Which knives do you use in the kitchen? If you know this, you know which sharpener is better for you. While all sharpeners are capable of sharpening knives with straight edges, only a few are capable of handling serrated ones. Since serrated knives break down gradually, you might not need a special sharpener if you do not use it often. You will need a special sharpener for sport or Asian-style knives having edge narrower than a regular kitchen knife.

Moreover, if you are choosing an electric or manual sharpener, it is essential to know that some models (regardless of the type) might end up over grinding the knife, which may result in a reduced lifespan of its blade, chipping, and/or warping. To control this issue, consider a sharpener that does not emit much heat and is metal friendly, especially if your knife is expensive.

Factor 2 – Your Patience:

If this is not much within you, an electric sharpener is the best deal. A sharpening stone usually has a long learning curve, although it is easy to use.

Factor 3 – Your Need for Speed:

Consider how you would like how fast you would need to get your sharpening done. Each sharpener performs at a different pace. If you need something that works quickly, a pull-through or an electric sharpener is ideal.

Factor 4 – Type of Blade Bevel

Also known as the grind, the bevel refers to the shape of the blade’s edge. This shape usually tends to differ widely depending on what you will be using the knife. In simple words, the shape is dependent on the sharpness and strength of the blade.
 
You need to know the bevel type, as this will help in choosing the right kind of knife sharpener. Here are the most common bevels:
  • Convex: Has an outwardly twisting taper that aims to retain more metal at the rear of the edge. This makes the blade stronger while yet maintaining an average level of sharpness. Most cleavers have this kind of bevel. Such a bevel of the edge needs an expert hand on a sharpening stone.
  • Hollow: Has an inward taper, which is just in contrast to the convex bevel. This kind of bevel gives an extremely sharp edge, but it is quite fragile. Such a bevel is usually found on straight razors.
  • Flat: Has a taper starting at the blade’s spine. Such a bevel is quite sharp, but it is challenging to create due to the quantity of metal to be discarded. This is the reason why such a bevel type is limited in its commercial use.
  • Chisel: Features one side as ground down and the other as entirely flat. Such a bevel offers a very sharp edge due to which it is usually seen on Asian cooking knives. Depending upon the side on which the bevel exists, left- and right-handed options are also available.
  • Double/Compound: This is usually seen on Western kitchen knives. Another back bevel is added over the edge bevel to boost the cutting ability of the blade. Although not much sharp as other types, the double bevel is admired for its resilience as well as strength.
  • V/Sabre: It is much like a flat bevel but with a taper that starts around the blade’s middle area and not from the spine. This kind of bevel is seen on different types of kitchen knives, as it gives a lasting edge.

Factor 5 – Blade Angle

The angle measurement refers to the angle to which a blade’s side is sharpened. A blade to be sharpened at a 15-degree angle possesses a whole angle of 30 degrees. The most common angle is 20 degrees in case of kitchen knives, although a few makers design their models with an angle of 15 degrees.
Usually, the higher the angle of the blade, the more durable as well as stronger is the blade. But, this comes at the cost of reduced sharpness. So, the more the angle, the less is the sharpness. Below are some typical ranges of degrees to consider and find for your knife:
  • 12-18: Are for knives that are designed to be very sharp, such as paring. As the angles result in a weaker blade, they usually are considered for models that are designed to perform much of fine slicing. An angle below this range is used explicitly for razors.
  • 18-25: Are found on the majority of kitchen knives. The angles in this range make up for a subtle balance between durability and sharpness. These angles are standard on Chef’s knives.
  • 25-30: Are seen on many types of outdoor utility knives, such as pocket models. This is because these knives should be able to cut and slice under challenging situations. Hence they need to be durable. So, such knives have a high blade angle.
  • 30-35: Are usually seen on cleavers and blades that are specifically designed for chopping. Chopping needs a lot of force that such large-angle blades need to be strong and durable.

Factor 6 – Type of Knife

This is mostly Japanese or Western style. Japanese knives are constructed to have a single bevel, indicating that the edge is sharpened only on a single side. The bevel angle is usually smaller, and the blades are sharper.
 
A few Japanese models posses a bevel angle of 5 to 6 degrees. So, for these knives, you need a sharpener that sharpens only one side at a time, or else you will ruin the knife.
 
Japanese knives are also designed using harder steel compared to Western equivalents. Further, they are usually flat along the edge, which is another vital factor to consider while sharpening.
 
Due to such design, the Japanese style knives are efficient enough to give more blade region to come in contact with whatever you are cutting.
 
Western/European style knives, like German ones, are famous for their efficient shape and function. However, unlike Japanese knives, these models have a symmetrical bevel. Both the sides of the blade needs sharpening.
 
The united angle of both edges determines the overall angle. Most of the western style knives possess angles between 18 and 28 degrees.
 
Another point to consider is that Western knives are made up of softer steel for high durability. But, softer steel increases the chances of damage in the form of dings and dents on edge due to heavy use. With the right sharpening techniques, it is possible to restore these knives to their original sharpness.
 
A majority of Western-style knives have some kind of curve along the blade due to which you can put more pressure on a particular blade area. While this is essential for cutting dense stuff, it also means that you need to pull the blade along this curve via a sharpener for sharpening it well.
 
In short, you need to know whether your knife is single or double beveled for the sake of choosing the right type of sharpener.

Factor 7 – Angle Selection

Most Japanese knife makers use hard steel and a lower angle for more sharpness. But, Western blades have a higher angle and made of softer steel. If you have both types of knives, it is essential to choose a knife sharpener that allows you to set different sharpening angles. The knives are designed to perform at its factory bevel angles. It is wise and best to retain them at those angles.

Factor 8 – Number of Stages

This applies to electric knife sharpeners. In the first stage, any imperfections or damages are grounded to form a consistent surface to have a clean edge. Now, this is something that not many sharpeners tend to offer. So, just keep it in mind if you are looking for a sharpener for your severely damaged blades.
 
In the second stage, a less coarse stone lifts a burr that finally turns into the cutting edge. For regular blade maintenance, this is the stage you usually can start with. Finally, you begin with the stropping stage wherein you polish the burr and keep a sharp edge.

Factor 9 – Sharpening Space:

A manual sharpener is ideal if you have space crunch for sharpening. On the contrary, an electric version needs more space.

Factor 10 – Budget:

Usually, several manual sharpeners are cheaper than their electric counterparts. They also cost less to maintain, due to no moving parts that can easily malfunction at some time or the other.

Factor 11 – Noise Level:

Well, for those who do not know, a few electric sharpeners are noisy. There is some kind of scraping sound of the blade, which can be annoying to some people. So, if noise bothers you, check for its noise level.

Factor 12 – Working with Left Hand:

Several manual and electric sharpeners are usable even with the left hand. Make sure that while buying, as some are specifically for right-handed persons.

Qualities of a Good Knife Sharpener

  • Superb Sharpness and Performance: The most reliable test of sharpness is to use a knife to slice a tomato. If the knife is nicely sharpened, it should be able to penetrate the skin of a tomato without any effort. A sharpener’s most critical quality is its ability to give a sharp edge without making any scratches.
  • Precise and Flexible Angle Guide: A few knife sharpeners allow even a naive to position blade at the right angle. However, many models require all its users to practice a bit. The best sharpener has the best angle guides that are adaptable to embrace several blade angles, precisely 15 and 20 degrees. These two are the most common angles for kitchen knives.
  • Abrasive and Hard Surface: Of all the sharpening materials, diamond is the hardest and fastest. Polished ceramic and tungsten carbide follow. Abrasiveness is measured in grits. The higher the number, the finer is abrasive. Thus, a material of 800-grit is very fine, and 120-grit is very coarse.
  • Multiple Stages of Sharpening: You need at least two stages — coarse material for restoring dull or damaged edges and finer material for polishing and touch-ups. You cannot use coarse material for touch-ups, as doing so discards too much steel.
  • Proper Safety: Usually, it is easy to sharpen without scraping your fingers. In manual sharpeners, this is ensured by inserting a physical blockade between the blade and fingers. Electric knife sharpeners rely on slots to escort the knife into the targeted belt, and not into your fingers.
  • Excellent Warranty: This is much needed for an electric sharpener and should also offer prompt and satisfactory customer service.

Best Knife Sharpeners for Pocket/Survival Knives to buy in 2024

You will also come across pocket sharpeners, which are of pocket size and flat. Due to their size, these small sharpeners do not keep a steady angle while sharpening.
Some models are highly portable, as they have a travel pocket or a key ring for the same. The full-sized flat sharpeners are ideal for ensuring sharpening precision.
You can use pocket sharpeners, apart from other types of sharpeners, for sharpening your pocket/survival knives. The most effective one will never chip off the edge too fast.
Similarly, you should consider the precision of the sharpening process. Each knife requires some amount of sharpness for being productive. A manual sharpener is preferred for survival and pocket knives if you have time, patience, and skill.
Still, the decision to choose the right sharpener for pocket/survival knives is dependent on the type of knife you have. For example, the buck knife should not be handled by a power-driven grinding wheel of a sharpener, as it burns or damages the blade.
 
So, here are top sharpeners for pocket or survival knives, and some of them are already mentioned above.

Lansky Blademedic Pocket Sharpener PS-MED01

Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic

Is perhaps the cheapest and the most portable option for sharpening all outdoor knives, regardless of them having a straight or serrated edge. It is a full sharpening kit with four different features: Diamond tapered rod for quick upkeep and overhaul, tungsten carbide that restores an edge in just three or four strokes, ceramic sharpening rods for polishing a finished edge, and a serrated sharpener to reach up to the smallest serrations.

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

 

KME Sharpeners KFS Knife Sharpening System – Standard Stone Kit

KME Sharpeners KFS Knife Sharpening System - Standard Stone Kit

It is the costliest one but is also versatile. The kit offers a typical stone kit with rod guide, spring knob, stainless steel guide rod, angle adjustment scale and knob, cherry wood pistol grip, and stone retainer. It has four sharpening stones, each for fine, medium, coarse, and extra coarse grit. It is best for knives that have gut hook and serrations, which are usually toughest to sharpen.

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

 

Best Knife Sharpeners for Kitchen Knives

Chef’sChoice 320 Diamond Hone

Chef'sChoice 320 Diamond Hone FlexHone Strop Professional Compact Electric Knife Sharpener with Diamond Abrasives and Precision Angle Control, 2-Stage, White

It is an electric, multi-stage unit that is versatile enough to give a 20-degree edge for American and European style knives and a 15-degree edge to an Asian knife. It is also reliable for serrated blades, fine-edge blades, Santukos, sports knives, single-bevel blades, and pocket knives. The sharpener has a three-stage system and precise guides for successful operation. It comes with pure diamond abrasives and flexible discs, durable construction, and stabilizing feet. However, this one is expensive.

Check Price and Reviews on Amazon

Conclusion

The best knife sharpener is the one that is functionally flexible as well as durable for the price that you have paid for it. There is no single unit that is the best for all. It all depends on one’s requirements and budget. We strongly advise you to go through our write-ups of different knife sharpeners to compare and choose the best one for your knives.
 
Let us know if you find the best sharpener for you.