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The Best Knife Sharpeners

Sharp Pebble
🕚 Updated June 2022

A knife sharpener will maintain the quality and safety of your favorite knives in the kitchen. Danger escalates with a dull knife, so keeping those edges sharp is important. Check out our favorites below.

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  Best Electric Choice Best Stone Sharpener Best Sharpening Rod Best for Hunting Knives Premium Choice
 
  Presto
EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
Sharp Pebble
Premium Whetstone Knife-Sharpening Stone
Kota Japan
12-Inch Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Rod
Smith's Abrasives
PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpeners
Work Sharp
Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener
 
Our SummaryWith a two-stage sharpening system and professional cutting wheels, this knife sharpener can sharpen any nonserrated knife with precision and ease.Sharpen your knives like a professional with this premium-quality sharpening stone made with ease of use and safety in mind.This comfortable, ergonomically shaped knife sharpener is specifically designed to ensure higher sharpening efficiency for all your favorite kitchen knives.Made to slip into your pocket for on-the-go use, this hunting knife sharpener is simple, compact, and easy to use.A quality precision tool for kitchen professionals, this elite kit offers seven abrasive grits and angles for perfect knife sharpening for your best knives.
Pros✓ Easy to set up and use
✓ Sharpens most knives well
✓ Safe to use
✓ Smooth and slick
✓ Easier to clean than most
✓ Great design for comfort
✓ Great for beginners
✓ Sharpens knives quickly and efficiently
✓ Great value
✓ Pocket-sized
✓ Works for serrated blades
✓ Good value
✓ High-quality and intuitive
✓ Easy to use
✓ Works as well as more expensive brands
Cons✗ Doesn't work as well as stones or rods✗ Takes practice✗ May wear out more quickly than others✗ Directions may be confusing✗ The base could grip better
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How Did We Research?

17 Models Evaluated

9 Hours Researched

45 Reviews Analyzed

The Best Knife Sharpeners

A whetstone, wooden on the bottom and white on top, is being used by a man's hands sharpening a knife.
Sharp Pebble

Buying Guide for Knife Sharpeners

A two-sided knife sharpener sits on a kitchen counter next to a cutting board and a chef's knife.
Presto

Why buy a knife sharpener?

Dull knives are also more likely to slip from your control, putting you at risk of slicing your hands or fingers. Since even the highest quality knives dull with use, it is important to invest in the proper maintenance tools for your kitchen. Sharpening your knives every three to four months will protect both the quality of your knives and the safety of your extremities. Investing in a suitable knife sharpener can ultimately save you money, as your knives should last long if you take care of them. Choosing a convenient sharpener can seem intimidating, but plenty of sharpeners suit various culinary skill levels. For all these reasons, it is safe to say that the right knife sharpener can be a valuable asset in both professional and home kitchens.

What should you consider when choosing a knife sharpener?

  • Features: The right knife sharpener should make your time in the kitchen easier. Look for a knife sharpener that features blade guides. These will help you find the right angle to sharpen your knives and keep them in premium shape. Consider looking for a knife sharpener that sharpens and polishes your blades to ensure extremely sharp edges that cut effortlessly.
  • Material: Working with knives can be risky. Consider looking for a knife sharpener with a handle with a soft touch grip. This feature gives you better control over the sharpener and helps keep you safe. Most knife sharpeners use sharpening rods or grinding wheels in their sharpening process. Look for sharpening systems that use reliable materials such as tungsten steel, diamond, and carbide to sharpen your knives.
  • Size: While classic knife sharpeners are rather large and take up some room on the countertop, others are small and compact enough to fit inside your pocket. Depending on your needs and your available space, you can choose the right size knife sharpener.

What are the differences between using a machine and a stone?

In summary, electric machines provide convenience, while stones offer longevity to your knives but  have more of a learning curve. Electric machines are great for those who have little to no experience with knife sharpeners as they do most of the work for you through slots that each have a different level of abrasiveness. The main downside of using a machine is that it can be aggressive and remove more material from the knife blade than if you were to use a stone. As for a sharpening stone, you have to hold the knife at the right angle, but the result is super sharp and refined. The stone requires oil or lubricant to reduce the friction between the knife and the stone, but there are options that use water, too.

Our Picks for the Best Knife Sharpeners

Best Electric Choice

Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

With a two-stage sharpening system and professional cutting wheels, this knife sharpener can sharpen any nonserrated knife with precision and ease.

Pros: If you’re not a professional, don’t worry. This knife sharpener has a two-stage system that keeps your knives razor-sharp and ready for all the cutting action. Its Sapphirite wheels grind together to make a perfect angle and then polish for a nice edge.

Cons: It doesn’t sharpen as well as old-fashioned knife sharpeners. It may be best for cheaper, essential knives.

Bottom Line: Home cooks and beginners, this knife sharpener may be an excellent option for you as it can deliver sharp, professional results in the convenience of your home.

 

Best Stone Sharpener

Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife-Sharpening Stone

Sharpen your knives like a professional with this premium-quality sharpening stone made with ease of use and safety in mind.

Pros: This whetstone set is made of aluminum oxide and is smooth and slick to provide superior cutting. It has a real bamboo base to hold the stone and a sharpening angle guide to give you the best results. The whetstone is super easy to use as it only needs water for sharpening, so there is no need for honing oils.

Cons: A whetstone is not a knife sharpener for beginners. It takes practice to get the angles right, even when using guides.

Bottom Line: Want to sharpen just about any knife like a professional? This whetstone may be just what you’re looking for. It sharpens well once you know how to use this product properly.

 

Best Sharpening Rod

Kota Japan 12-Inch Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Rod

This comfortable, ergonomically shaped knife sharpener is specifically designed to ensure higher sharpening efficiency for all your favorite kitchen knives.

Pros: This diamond carbon steel knife sharpener works amazingly well, even for beginners. The rod has an oval shape and an ergonomic handle to provide greater sharpening efficiency. Apart from its function, it adds a refined style to your kitchen or workspace.

Cons: This sharpener may wear out more quickly than others.

Bottom Line: This sharpener will keep your knives and tools in tip-top shape with its quick, efficient process.

 

Best for Hunting Knives

Smith's Abrasives PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpeners

Made to slip into your pocket for on-the-go use, this hunting knife sharpener is simple, compact, and easy to use.

Pros: This pocket-sized knife sharpener works wonders on your favorite hunting and pocket knives. It also works on serrated blades, unlike many other knife sharpeners. The combination of the carbide blade and the ceramic stone sets and sharpens the knife’s edge. It has preset sharpening angles to help you get the most precise result.

Cons: This may not provide the sharpest results as stone-sharpening would.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a mini knife sharpener you can carry in your pocket or travel bag, this may be a great option. It’s easy to port around since it’s lightweight and won’t weigh you down on your next outdoor adventure.

 

Premium Choice

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener

A quality precision tool for kitchen professionals, this elite kit offers seven abrasive grits and angles for perfect knife sharpening for your best knives.

Pros: This high-quality knife sharpener is genuinely impressive. It comes with seven grits and an adjustable sharpening angle that can go from 15 to 30 degrees. You can customize the grit options to revamp an old blade or polish an edge on a knife. There is a small ceramic rod that can be used to sharpen serrated knives as well.

Cons: The base doesn’t have a strong grip.

Bottom Line: If you want a high-end knife sharpening kit that is easy to use and will last a long time, this may be the best option. It’s precise, and it delivers beautiful results.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a quality knife sharpener will keep your knife-cutting skills and performance safe and precise. It is the best way to ensure your knives will be less frustrating and more enjoyable to use in your kitchen or workspace.

Stacy Rounds Stacy Rounds
Stacy is a freelance writer. She has created a variety of web and print copy, from lifestyle and dating advice to small business reviews and short stories. She has a degree in business and marketing and has worked for several years as a social media manager. Through writing creative fiction, satire, and advertisements, she developed a passion for the written word. She enjoys cooking and painting in her free time. Read Full Bio »
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