Working with a blunt blade is not only frustrating but can be extremely dangerous. A knife sharpener keeps all your blades razor-sharp and ready for any type of cutting task.
Sharpen Any Blade with an Ultra-Versatile, Efficient Knife Sharpener
Whether you are cutting up meat, vegetables, or fruit in the kitchen or using a bushcraft knife in the wilderness for making fire kindling, you need an extremely sharp knife.
A knife sharpener is a highly versatile tool for a cook, chef, camper, hunter, fisherman, or survivalist as it can be used to sharpen a wide range of knives and other types of tools.
It can sharpen chef knives, bread knives, steak knives, fillet knives, paring knives, cheese knives, butcher knives, pocket knives, garden shears, a hatchet, even a pair of scissors.
The 8 Best Knife Sharpeners
- PriorityChef Knife Sharpener (Our Top Pick)
- KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
- SunrisePro Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener
- Smith’s Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpener
- Rada Cutlery Quick Edge Knife Sharpener
- Work Sharp WSKTS-KO-W Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition
- Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
- Chef’sChoice Electric Knife Sharpener
Our Top Pick for the Best Knife Sharpener
Our top pick for the best knife sharpener is the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener. We highly recommend this fantastic sharpener as your go-to knife sharping tool for your home.
The fast, efficient, and powerful diamond and ceramic 2-stage knife sharpening system restores, repairs, sharpens, and polishes both straight and serrated knives. Its smart ergonomic features make operation simple for novice knife sharpeners and even arthritis sufferers.
Once you have the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener installed in your kitchen, all your blades will be razor-sharp and ready to work.
Check the price on AmazonHow Does A Knife Sharpener Work?
A knife sharpener will have 1, 2, or even 3 slots that contain an abrasive grit or rods such as diamond or ceramic, which sharpens and polishes a blade.
The coarse slot is for repairing and sharpening and the fine slot is for polishing and honing.
How to Become a Knife Sharpening Expert
Place the blade into the coarse slot at a 90° angle, then draw the knife out a few times. In just a few seconds, the blade will be good as new.
You can then repeat the process in the Fine Slot to polish and hone the blade. To get the precise edge you want and maintain the delicate edge of fine-bladed specialty knives, only use light pressure, avoid pressing down hard on the blade, or using heavy strokes during the sharpening process.
It may take a while to master the right sharpening technique so here is a helpful video that showcases the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener, and gives you some tips on how to become a knife sharpening expert.
How to Choose a Knife Sharpener
The most common types of sharpeners are a whetstone, a manual sharpener, and an automatic sharpener.
A whetstone is a great tool for knife enthusiasts who are experienced at sharpening knives, but manual or automatic sharpeners can be used by beginner sharpeners and knife experts alike.
You can find some excellent whetstones at our Best Whetstone Reviews and Buying Guide.
Manual Knife Sharpener
Manual sharpeners, sometimes called handheld sharpeners, are perfect for people who only need to sharpen knives occasionally.
A manual knife sharpener, such as the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener or the KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener, is very easy to use, effective, gives you good control over the blade’s sharpness, and it is very affordable.
Automatic Knife Sharpener
An automatic corded-electric sharpener is a super fast and effective way of sharpening any blade.
Electric sharpeners create a professional high-quality edge but they may require a more complex operation, and they are more expensive than a manual knife sharpener.
Diamond, Carbide, or Ceramic Sharpening Power
Diamond is the preferred material for sharpening knives as it is long-lasting, can cut and sharpen even the hardest metals, and creates a nice edge.
The only downside of a diamond system is that it can be a little abrasive on softer or fine-edged steel blades. So be gentle with a diamond sharpener.
Carbide-blades are also very effective at sharpening steel blades but they may not give the best edge on a fine-edged blade. High-quality ceramic is specially designed to polish the blade and leaves it smooth, clean, and honed.
Single or Dual Sharpening Slots versus a Sharpening Wheel
Many sharpeners have dual cutting slots: a coarse sharpening slot and a fine slot for polishing. However, some may only have one sharpening slot such as the SunrisePro Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener.
Some sharpeners feature a dual-sharping wheel, such as the Rada Cutlery Quick Edge Knife Sharpener, which allows you to sharpen both sides of a blade at the same time.
Straight or Serrated-edge Knife Capabilities
Not all sharpeners are created equal and some are designed for straight and serrated blades but others may only sharpen straight blades.
Blade Edge Angle Compatibility
Most Western or European knives need to be sharpened to a 20° angle. However, if you own any Asian or Japanese knives, they need to be sharpened to a 13, 15, or 17°angle.
Types of Abrasive Belts
Abrasive belts give you ultimate sharpening flexibility. A sharpener that has abrasive belts, such as the Work Sharp WSKTS-KO-W Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition, can sharpen not just straight bladed knives, but also curved knives, tanto bladed knives, filet knives, serrated knives, gut hooks, and virtually any other type of blade or tool.
Coarse belts are used to repair damaged blades and sharpening cutting tools.
Medium belts are used for general knife sharpening tasks.
Fine belts are used to hone knives, sharpen serrations, and for quick touch-ups on blades that have been recently sharpened.
Ergonomic Design Features
Ergonomic design features may include a non-slip base that keeps the sharpener securely fixed on a countertop. A comfortable handle is very important to give you a better purchase on the sharpener as you sharpen a blade.
An ultra-compact design allows
8 Best Knife Sharpeners – Reviews
1. PriorityChef Knife Sharpener
Whether you have straight or serrated edge knife blades to sharpen, the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener is a quick, effective and safe way of bringing blunt blades back to razor-sharpness.
Built for long-term durability, the outstanding knife sharpener is well crafted and delivers an outstanding sharpening performance.
PriorityChef offers you a 17° diamond and ceramic 2-stage system that sharpens and polishes straight and serrated steel blades, even hard steel blades. This useful kitchen tool maintains the sharpness of your knives so they are always ready for cutting, carving, slicing,
The sharpener is very easy to use in 2 simple steps.
Step One. Pull the knife’s blade from base to tip through the diamond-coated wheel, which is perfectly angled to sharpen it to a crisp, even edge.
Step Two. Place the blade in the second slot and pull the knife through approximately 5-10 times. The ceramic honing wheel polishes your knife revealing a smooth, clean blade.
Stylish and functional, the black and stainless steel design will look great in your kitchen and its ergonomic design is designed for your comfort and safety. The non-slip cushioned base grips the surface of a countertop to prevent any movement while also protecting the countertop from scratches. An ergonomic handle provides a comfortable, easy grip as you hold the unit and sharpen your knife.
PriorityChef offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the knife sharpener.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Quick and effective
- Well crafted
- Reliable sharpening tool
- Engineered for straight and serrated blades
- Works for all types of steel blades, including hard steel blades
- Perfect for kitchen knives and pocket knives
- Effectively sharpens and polishes
- Innovative 2-stage sharpening system Diamond-coated wheel
- Ceramic honing wheel
- 17° angle is ideal for most knives
- Stylish black and stainless steel design
- Comfortable non-slip cushioned base
- Ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip
- Safe and easy to use
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Extra blunt blades may take longer to get a nice sharp edge
- Not as effective with serrated knives
- Might sharpen a bit aggressively
2. KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
The KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener is a workhorse of a sharpener and offers you the versatility of a 2-stage sharpening system contained in one compact unit.
Quick and easy to use, the pre-set angled coarse carbide blade sharpens dull or damaged knives. The fine ceramic rods are gentle enough for finishing and polishing edges and perfect for light touch-ups to an already sharp knife.
Designed in the US, the sharpener’s unique “edge grip” design gives you unparalleled flexibility when sharpening large knives. This design allows the sharpener to rest on the edge of a kitchen countertop or table.
So when you sharpen a knife, you can pull it safely through the slots from its base to the tip and your countertop will not get scratched. For extra safety, the bottom has a non-slip material that securely grips onto any surface.
The KitchenIQ is primarily designed to sharpen straight-edged double-beveled Euro/American style knives, but you can use the fine ceramic slot for serrated knives.
Stylish and functional, the KitchenIQ has stainless steel and soft-touch accents. Its mini compact size is ideal for a small kitchen and fits easily in a knife drawer. You can choose from 4 stylish colors: black, gray, green/carbide, and red/carbide to suit your kitchen’s decor.
KitchenIQ offers the knife sharpener in a 1-pack or a 2-pack.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Fantastic price
- Dual sharpening slots
- Coarse pre-set carbide-blade sharpening slot for dull or damaged knives
- Fine ceramic rods for polishing and light touch-ups for already sharp blades
- Perfect for Euro/American straight-edged blades
- Ceramic slot can be used for serrated blades
- Unique EdgeGrip non-slip design
- Designed in the US
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Compact design
- Stylish stainless steel and soft touch accents
- Available in black, gray, green/carbide, and red/carbide
- Available in a 1-pack or a 2-pack
Cons
- Can only use serrated blades on the fine polishing slot
- Not ideal for Asian or Japanese knives
- Coarse slot can chip cheaper, softer blade steel
3. SunrisePro Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener
Whether you have dull straight or serrated-edge kitchen knives, camping knives, hunting knives, pocket knives, or a craft knife, the SunrisePro Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener provides optimal sharpening results in just a few seconds.
Utilizing tungsten carbide steel which is longer lasting than ordinary steel, the SunrisePro can sharpen the hardest steel blade with diamond-like cutting precision.
As the coarse sharpening blades are positioned at a 20° angle, you can use the sharpener for most American and European-style knives.
The sharpener is very lightweight at 3.39-ounces and easy to use. Just place the knife’s blade into the slot at a 90° angle, then draw the knife out. In just a few strokes, the blade will be good as new.
The ultra-portable SunrisePro Knife Sharpening System has a durable premium plastic chassis. Its advanced US-patented powerful suction pad provides superior stability and stops any slipping or sliding on a countertop while you sharpen a blade.
A unique locking system on the sleek ergonomic handle ensures safe operation and allows you to easily remove the unit from the countertop.
SunrisePro offers the sharpener in red or blue, and the sharpener is covered by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Fast and efficient
- Ideal for a chef’s knife, butcher knife, hunting knife, pocket knife, more
- Long-lasting tungsten carbide technology sharpens with diamond precision
- Super strong plastic chassis
- Safe and easy to use
- Extra-powerful, superior US-patented rubber suction pad seal
- Sleek, ergonomic handle
- Unique locking system on the handle
- Compact and ultra-portable
- Lightweight
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Available in red or blue
Cons
- Not recommended for use with fine-toothed serrated blades or scissors
- Not designed for Japanese knives
- No honing and polishing options
4. Smith’s Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpener
The Smith’s Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpener is an essential tool for on-the-go knife sharpening needs.
Ultra-compact and easy to use, the Smith’s PP1 is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts or backpackers who want to ensure that their pocket, field, or hunting blades are always razor-sharp.
The sharpener has 2 V-shaped 90° angled slots that guarantee quality sharpening. Cross coarse 600-grit carbide blades quickly restore a dull edge on a straight-edged blade.
Specially shaped 400-grit ceramic stones create a razor-sharp edge, polish already sharp knives, and sharpen serrated blades. Both the carbide blades and ceramic stones are reversible and replaceable for extended sharpening life.
You have great versatility at your fingertips as the Pocket Pal features a fold-out, tapered diamond coated rod, which is great for quick honing touch-ups for blades and other tools such as a hatchet.
Its recessed finger groove slot makes the sharpener comfortable to hold and use. The lightweight Pocket Pal measures 3½-inches long and 1-inch wide, and it weighs just 1-ounce, so it fits in your pocket. Or you can use the lanyard hole to attach it to your keychain or backpack.
Always clean your sharpener with a damp cloth after use and towel dry but do not rinse with water.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Perfect for hikers, backpackers, or fishermen
- Ideal for pocket knives, field knives, and hunting knives
- Cross coarse carbide blades quickly set a blade’s edge
- Specially shaped ceramic stones create a razor-sharp edge
- Ceramic stones can be used to polish a sharpened blade and can be used for a serrated blade
- Reversible and replaceable carbide and ceramic stones
- V-shaped 90° angles provide guaranteed results
- Fold out tapered diamond coated rod
- Comfortable recessed finger groove slot
- Compact, lightweight and durable
- Lanyard hole
Cons
- Carbide blades are only designed for
straight edged knives - Not ideal for larger knives or specialty knives
- May not give you the best edge
- Smaller size can make it a little hard to get a good hold on the unit
5. Rada Cutlery Quick Edge Knife Sharpener
Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, or cooking enthusiast, the Rada Cutlery Quick Edge Knife Sharpener is an indispensable tool that will keep all your knives in optimal razor-sharp condition.
You can use the sharpener with any type of American/European or Japanese straight bladed knives, such as a pocket knife, kitchen knives, or thicker forged knives such as a Ka-bar hunting knife.
The US-made sharpener features superb craftsmanship and an efficient wheel-based operating system. Specially hardened high-carbon stainless steel dual wheels intersect so you can quickly sharpen both sides of a blade at the same time.
The manual sharpener is very easy to use. Simply take the knife you want sharpened and pull the blade between the wheels 4-6 times. Wipe off the blade to remove any metal shavings, and you’re done!
Safe to use, its sturdy and durable black nylon base provides the stability and support you need for safe sharpening results.
The knife sharpener is ultra-portable, compact, and lightweight at 0.96-ounces so it is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need to keep their field knives primed for action.
Rada Cutlery offers you a lifetime guarantee on the sharpener.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Designed for all straight-edged blades
- Can be used for thick forged steel blades
- Ideal for hunters, fishermen, and cooking enthusiasts
- Made in the US
- Fast and highly effective
- Specially hardened, high carbon stainless steel wheels
- Dual wheels sharpen both sides of a blade at the same time
- Creates an optimal razor sharp edge
- Easy to use
- Sturdy and durable black nylon base
- Ultra-compact, portable, and lightweight
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Thicker forged blades are harder to sharpen
- No honing or polishing capabilities
- Not ideal for serrated blades
6. Work Sharp WSKTS-KO-W Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition
Designed by a world-renown knife maker, the amazing electric Work Sharp WSKTS-KO-W Knife & Tool Sharpener Ken Onion Edition is the ultimate sharpening system for any knife that you own.
Fast and efficient, the heavy-duty motor provides all the power you need for a wide array of sharpening, grinding, and honing jobs. The variable speed control settings range from 1,200 SFM-2,800 SFM which provides you with the optimal belt speed for just about any type of sharpening task.
To protect your knives from any damage, Work Sharp includes 5 different abrasive belts: extra-coarse, coarse, medium, fine, and extra-fine, so you can easily choose the right grit to match the blade.
This knife sharpener ensures consistent results with beautifully smooth, long-lasting, and razor-sharp convex edges. The 15-30° angle guide can be adjusted for a range of hunting knives, thinner blades, and kitchen knives.
The Ken Onion Edition knife sharpener is the perfect tool for sharpening Japanese chef knives.
Incredibly versatile, you can use the Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener for gardening tools, gut hooks, pocket knives, axes, hatchets, lawnmower blades, and scissors. You can even use it as a detail grinder in your workshop.
The electric knife sharpener can also be run with a 12-volt power inverter with the right amount of wattage from your car, truck, RV, or boat, which makes this knife sharpener the perfect tool for a camping trip.
Lightweight and comfortable, you can use the sharpener in your hand or on a table or countertop.
Work Sharp also offers additional abrasive belts that can be purchased separately.
Work Sharp offers a 1-year warranty. Please note that the warranty is only valid for North American 110-120-volt power source applications.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Professional style sharpener
- Designed by a world renown knife maker
- Heavy-duty variable-speed electric motor
- Designed for slow speed honing and high speed grinding
- Five abrasive belts: extra-coarse, coarse, medium, fine, and extra-fine
- Fast and consistent sharpening results
- 15-30° angle guide can be adjusted to suit hunting knives, thinner blades, and kitchen knives
- Designed for a wide range of blades and tools
- Perfect for Japanese chef knives
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
- Use it on a table or hold it in your hand
- Can be used as a detail grinder
- Can be run with a 12-volt power inverter from car, truck, RV, or boat
- Additional abrasive belts are available
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Can take a while to get used to the sharpener
- Designed more for right-handed people
- Generates a lot of heat on the higher setting
- Extra blunt blades may take longer to sharpen
- Can scratch black-coated blades or specialty knives
- Not recommended for use with 220-volt power converter
- Warranty only valid for consumer use, not industrial or commercial use
7. Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
If you need your knives sharpened super-fast, invest in the Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener.
This electric sharpener produces razor-sharp edges using the same rapidly rotating Sapphirite grinding wheels used by professional shops.
Highly versatile, its 2-stage sharpening system quickly and easily grounds and sharpens 20° angle non-serrated blades and even thick blades. Your knives will have an optimal sharpness as the Sapphirite wheels and precision guides position the blade at just the right sharpening angle for perfect results every time.
The sharpener is very easy to use with an ON/Off power button. In 2 simple steps, you will have super sharp blades.
Step one. Place the blade in the coarse grit slot and draw the blade back towards you, making sure it is parallel to the kitchen countertop or any flat surface.
Stage two. Place the blade in the fine grit slot at the ideal sharpening angle for each side of the blade, and as you draw it back towards you, the blade will be polished and honed with a nice, sharp edge.
It is suitable for knives that are made of alloy, carbon, or stainless steel, or high carbon steel. You can use the sharpener for partially serrated blades in the fine grit slot, but not fully serrated blades.
For operator safety, the 3 strong suction cups on the bottom hold the sharpener securely on a table or countertop, and the 2 receptacles underneath catch metal filings for disposal. It has a compact 8 ¼ x 5-3/4 x 4-inch design so it is easy to store in your kitchen.
Presto offers a 1-year limited warranty on the sharpener.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Fast and effective professional results
- Two-stage coarse and fine sharpening system
- Perfect for non-serrated blades and thick blades
- Can be used for partially serrated blades
- Sapphirite razor-sharp, ultra-hard edge sharpening wheels
- Precision pre-set angled blade guides
- Suitable for knives that are made of alloy, carbon, or stainless steel or high carbon steel
- Easy to use
- Power On/Off button
- Three strong suction cups on the base
- Two receptacles underneath catch metal filings for disposal
- Compact design
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Not designed for fully serrated knives or scissors
- Coarse grinding may be too harsh for fine edged knives
- Not ideal for Asian or Japanese knives
- High-carbon steel blades can create sparks
8. Chef’sChoice Electric Knife Sharpener
With an advanced design and a 3-stage sharpening system, the Chef’sChoice Electric Knife Sharpener offers you amazing sharpening, polishing, and honing capabilities for any type of knife.
This US-made sharpener is packed full of ground-breaking features that make it the ideal sharpener for converting traditional 20° factory edges into high-performance Trizor XV 15° edges. It will also flawlessly sharpen double-bevel or single-bevel 15° class knives.
Smart EdgeSelect technology prolongs blade edge life so that the blade resists dulling longer than conventionally sharpened hollow-ground or ‘V-shaped’ edges.
Advanced, flexible spring guides provide accurate control over the sharpening angle for the thickest or thinnest knife blades, and
So how does this smart 3-Stage Sharpening system work? 100% diamond abrasive conical rotating disks in the Stage 1 slot create finely beveled micro-grooves on the blade’s edge. In Stage 2, fine diamond abrasives create extra-fine beveled micro-grooves on the razor-sharp edge.
Stage 3 uses a flexible abrasive stropping disk system to create a microscopically smooth, highly polished edge. If you have serrated blades to sharpen, the gentle abrasives in Slot 3 prolong the life of serrated knives of any alloy, forged or non-forged.
You have optimum versatility for customizing a knife’s edge to suit different foods or materials. You can use one slot for a particular task or use all 3 for a blade that has unparalleled sharpness and durability.
It also has a simple ON/OFF operating switch and it is incredibly fast and it only takes approximately 1 minute for first-time sharpening and resharpening is approximately 10 seconds.
It is compact at 10 L x 4.25 W x 4.25 H inches and quite lightweight at 4.42lbs. The solid base has 4 sturdy feet to keep the sharpener firmly and safely positioned on a kitchen countertop.
Chef’sChoice offers a 3-year limited warranty on the sharpener. To get the best edge on your knives, their manual has some great tips on how to use the knife sharpener.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Converts traditional 20° factory edges of household knives into high performance Trizor XV 15° edges
- Flawlessly sharpens double-bevel or single-bevel 15° class knives
- Unique 3-Stage 15 Trizor XV sharpening, honing and stropping/polishing system
- 100% diamond abrasives
- Patented flexible abrasive stropping disk system
- Advanced, patented flexible spring guides for automatic adjustment and accurate control of the sharpening angle
- Smart EdgeSelect technology prolongs blade edge life
- Ideal for straight and serrated edge knives
- Fast and efficient
- Strong and durable design
- Creates the ultimate durable razor-sharp blade for effortless cutting
- Compact and lightweight
- Solid base has four sturdy feet
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not designed to sharpen either ceramic knives or scissors
- A bit noisy at 65 dB and 75 dB
- Coarse abrasives can damage fine edged blades
- Can take a while to master the sharpness process
Our Top Pick for the Best Knife Sharpener
Our top pick for the best knife sharpener is the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener. We highly recommend this fantastic sharpener as your go-to knife sharping tool for your home.
The fast, efficient, and powerful diamond and ceramic 2-stage knife sharpening system restores, repairs, sharpens, and polishes both straight and serrated knives. Its smart ergonomic features make operation simple for novice knife sharpeners and even arthritis sufferers.
Once you have the PriorityChef Knife Sharpener installed in your kitchen, all your blades will be razor-sharp and ready to work.
Check the price on Amazon
