Knife Sharpener Slot
A knife doesn’t stay sharp forever, and you’ll notice the difference when it loses its edge.
- To ensure quick, efficient sharpening, it features two slots, the first slot has a coarse carbide, this revitalizes the knife’s dull edge while the fine slot is made of ceramic and is more suitable for honing knives. The ceramic slot is ideal for both serrated as well as straight-edged knives.
- Meanwhile, the nonslip bottom keeps the sharpener from moving on the counter. The coarse slot is for your dullest blades, while the ceramic slot finishes the sharpening process by honing and polishing, and can be used for blades that are just a little dull. When you’re done sharpening, this is small enough to fit in a drawer for neat storage.
- A quality electric knife sharpener features small orbiting plates of abrasive material that are set at fixed grinding angles. Each slot features plates with different levels of abrasiveness. The blade is sharpened as you pull it through the series of slots. The first slot will be the most abrasive.
2 Stages of Knife Sharpening; Coarse slot for sharpening dull or damaged knives; Fine to finish the edge of the knife and for regular knife maintenance; Fine slot designed to sharpen most styles of serrated knives; Patented Scissor Sharpener with floating ceramic rods.
- Electric knife sharpening machines offer convenience.
- Sharpening stones have a learning curve.
- Sharpening stones can lengthen the lifespan of your knives.
In a perfect world, everybody loves what we post on Instagram, dogs stay as cute as they were as puppies, and knives never get dull. Alas, even quality knives made of premium steel will eventually lose their cutting edge.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to bring back that razor-sharp edge. Each technique falls into one of two basic camps: speed and convenience vs. do-it-yourself satisfaction
Why You Should Keep Your Knives Sharp
How you sharpen your knives is a personal preference, but why you should keep them sharp causes no disagreement. Dull knife blades are a safety hazard. A knife that’s lost its sharp edge will slip on food and increase your chances of injury. Few examples prove this better than trying to slice a tomato with a dull chef’s knife.
A dull knife increases the amount of time you spend preparing what you cook. Sharpening your knives makes you more efficient in the kitchen. And because a sharp knife makes more precise cuts, you’ll minimize food waste.
A dull knife will make your food appear … well, dull. A very sharp knife blade reduces the damage done at a cellular level as it cleanly slices through food. It decreases moisture loss, which accelerates oxidation. Chopped herbs wilt faster, and a sliced apple will turn brown more quickly.
It’s why sharpening is a skill you should learn — whether you do it with a knife sharpening machine or with knife sharpening stones. Here’s what you need to know about each method.
Knife Sharpening Machines
Even something as fragile as a tomato can resist a dull kitchen knife blade.
Electric or manual sharpening machines are advisable if you have little or no experience maintaining high quality cooking knives. The learning curve consists of reading short instructions and following the steps.
Electric Knife Sharpeners
These boxy electric sharpening devices feature a series of slots. A quality electric knife sharpener features small orbiting plates of abrasive material that are set at fixed grinding angles. Each slot features plates with different levels of abrasiveness.
The blade is sharpened as you pull it through the series of slots. The first slot will be the most abrasive. Think of the process as if you were sanding wood. You’d use coarse or more abrasive sandpaper to start and work your way to a fine grit to get the final, smooth surface. Pulling your knife through the slots of an electric knife sharpener restores the blade edge angle while sharpening so it slices cleanly through food.
Electric knife sharpeners are easy to use. You literally place them on a countertop, plug them in, and turn them on. Depending on the condition of your knife blade, you can be finished with a sharpening session in about 30 seconds — the time it takes to pull the blade through the standard three slots of the sharpening machine.
The downside of electric knife sharpeners is that speed and convenience are accomplished through an aggressive approach. The orbiting abrasive plates in the machine can remove significantly more material from the knife blade than if you were to use a sharpening stone. Regular use of an electric knife sharpener will shorten the lifespan of your knife.
German-style knives feature bolsters that will prevent you from being able to pull the knife all the way through. Using an electric knife sharpener — or a manual knife sharpener — means that you’ll be unable to sharpen the portion of the blade closest to the handle.
Japanese-style knives typically have no bolster, so this obstacle is removed. You’ll have another concern, though. Many Japanese-style knives feature a blade angle that’s more acute than German-style knives. Electric knife sharpeners are all about convenience, so the internal sharpening disks are positioned to match specific angles. You wouldn’t want to run your Japanese-style knife through an electric knife sharpener that was configured for German-style knives — or vice versa.
Manual Knife Sharpeners
These are also known as pull-through sharpeners. Take an electric knife sharpener and remove its motorized components. What you’re left with is a smaller, more portable version of an electric knife sharpener that also doesn’t need to be plugged in.
Otherwise, manual knife sharpeners work the same as their electrified cousins. The biggest difference is that your action of pulling the knife blade through the slots is what causes the orbiting plates of abrasive material to restore sharpness.
This manual action means you’ll likely have to pull the knife several times through each slot. If you have little or no experience in what to look for, it may be difficult to know how many times to perform this action. Keep in mind that like an electric knife sharpener, the first slot will feature an aggressive level of abrasiveness. It’s easy to inadvertently remove more of your knife blade’s material than what’s needed to re-sharpen it.
Manual sharpeners are smaller and easier to store, but you’ll also run into the same obstacles that you get with electric knife sharpeners when it comes to German-style knife blade bolsters and pre-set angles.
Sharpening Systems
The most difficult part of sharpening a knife is making sure you have the right blade angle. It’s why people shy away from maintaining their knives with sharpening stones. Sharpening machines remove this concern. A knife sharpening system holds the blade at the correct angle. Instead of pulling the blade across a series of sharpening surfaces, the knife is fixed, and the stone is moved over the blade.
It’s an option to consider, but the preparation may add more time than you’re willing to spend.
Sharpening Stones
Sharpening stones offer superior results for nearly every kind of knife.
This method of knife sharpening has a learning curve, and it takes more time than pulling your knives through a sharpening machine, but the results are superior. Sharpening stones can be used for German-style and Japanese-style knives. This method can sharpen nearly every kind of knife.
Unlike an electric or manual knife sharpening machine, you have to hold the blade at the correct sharpening angle. The result, though, is a freshly sharpened edge.
Sharpening stones are also known as whetstones. The word “whet” means to sharpen. A delicious aroma can whet your appetite, and a sharpening stone can whet your kitchen knives. The actual process of using a whetstone is known as stoning. The most common shape is a rectangular block, which is why they are also sometimes called a bench stone.
Nearly all sharpening stones require either water or oil as a lubricant to help reduce the friction of moving the angled knife blade across the surface of the stone. Choose sharpening stones that work best with water — and are therefore likely to be described as water stones – because they’re easier to work with. Oil stones are simply sharpening stones that work best with oil, which makes for a long clean-up.
What to Look for in a Sharpening Stone
Grinding tools against stone to sharpen the edges has been going on since — you guessed it — the Stone Age. Today’s sharpening stones are small in size because we are using them to sharpen a chef’s knife rather than a spear.
Sharpening stones can be cut from natural sources or created using industrial chemistry. The most common natural stone is crystalline silica, which is durable and extremely hard. Its abrasive qualities make it perfect for use in sharpening steel.
Man-made sharpening stones have become more popular, though, because it’s possible to create consistent particle sizes. These particle sizes determine the stone’s level of abrasiveness, which is also known as grit.
When using sharpening stones, you’ll start with a high level of abrasiveness and work your way towards a less abrasive surface that’s doing more polishing than grinding. Like sandpaper, lower grit levels indicate a higher degree of abrasiveness.
Grit
A quality set of sharpening stones will help you return a knife blade to razor sharpness.
The most common coarse sharpening stone is 220 grit. It’ll remove a large amount of blade material quickly, so it’s often used to grind away a chip or to even set a new bevel angle on a blade. The Japanese call this type of coarse sharpening stone “Arato.”
A medium grit stone is commonly around 1,000 grit. The Japanese call it “Nakato.” If your knife is dull but not damaged, you can start with this sharpening stone. The level of abrasiveness removes enough material to restore the cutting edge. It’s much less aggressive, so you don’t have to worry about inadvertently removing more material than necessary.
A very fine grit stone — which the Japanese call “Shiageto” — is 6,000 grit or higher. It’s used as the final step to polish and hone the cutting edge.
If you plan to maintain the sharpness of your blades using sharpening stones, you’ll need a minimum of three. A coarse stone for repair, a medium stone for sharpening, and a very fine one to hone. Misen offers a sharpening stone set made of premium materials hand crafted by Naniwa in Osaka, Japan.
Worth Your Time and Attention
Running your knives through a sharpening machine is quick and easy, and then you’re done – but is that all there is to cooking?
Many people want a deeper connection with what they prepare in the kitchen. Using sharpening stones takes longer than using a sharpening machine, and there’s more skill involved, but you’re rewarded with the satisfaction that comes when you choose what’s better over what’s easier.
Blunt knives can be quite stressful to use, they tug and tear and won’t give a precise cut, this makes cooking such a tiring affair and will not inspire you to make delicious meals. But there is a solution, with just one of the best knife sharpeners, you can make your culinary world go round.
The problem however is in selecting the best product, that also has been taken care of as we have rounded up not one but eight amazing products for review.
Contents
- 1 Top 8 Best Knife Sharpeners of 2020
Top 8 Best Knife Sharpeners of 2020
After a due market survey, here are the best products we could find.
1. Cubikook 3-Stage Knife Sharpener
We begin our list with Cubikook 3-Stage Knife Sharpener, a handheld product which hones, sharpens and repairs your knife without bleeding your pocket. It is made of sturdy ABS plastic as well as stainless steel coating at the base and sharpening slots, this gives it long-lasting use while also ensuring its easy to clean. It features three sharpening stages which are coarse, medium, and fine, this gives it a versatile use.
When your knife needs sharpening, simply pull the knife through each of the desired slots seven times, starting first with the coarse slot, then the medium slot before ending with the fine slot. It is also stable, this is owing to the rubber patches at the base; it is not sticky, yet it does an amazing job of keeping the sharpener in one place, this helps to prevent slips and other kitchen accidents.
Furthermore, it is fast and effective and is easy to use even by first-timers. To ensure confident purchase, it comes with a lifetime warranty and also hassle-free refund when dissatisfied with the purchase.
Pros:
- Has a low price point
- Hones and sharpens knives effectively
Cons:
- Not ideal for badly damaged blades
2. Chef’s Choice 15-Trizor XV Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
Chef’s Choice 15-Trizor XV Professional Electric Knife Sharpener features advanced stropping stage as well as 100% diamond abrasives, this gives your knives a straight, sharp edge and serrated blades. It has patented and flexible spring guides for automatic adjustment and precise control of the sharpening angle along with a simple on/off switch.
Also, it features a 3-stage sharpening system, for maximum versatility which in turn provides the right edge for all cutting activities. Stage 1 and 2 sharpening systems are plated with 100% diamond abrasives for sharpening and honing while in stage 3, a patented abrasive system is used to polish the knife and give it an extended life span.
Besides, the electric sharpener combines both durability and strength of the 15-degree XV technology to give a flawlessly sharp razor edge. It also has a fast action, requiring only about a minute for the first sharpening and 10 seconds for resharpening.
Pros:
- Features a 3-year warranty
- Hones and sharpens both straight edge and serrated knives
Cons:
- Weighing 4.7 pounds, it is heavy
3. Work Sharp WSKTS-W Knife and Tool Sharpener
Sharpen every knife in your kitchen like a pro with the Work Sharp WSKTS-W Knife and Tool Sharpener. The product features premium abrasive belts that are suitable for all your sharpening needs. It comes in a 3-stage sharpening system which is the coarse (P80), medium (P220), and the fine (6000). Its abrasive belt will not burn neither will it damage your blade steel while sharpening your knife.
Its precision sharpening guide provides quick, easy, repeatable and consistent sharpening results. This guide sharpens the knife blade to an angle of 40o, while the outdoor kitchen guide sharpens knives to an angle of 50o.
Besides, it’s not only suitable for sharpening knives but can also be used to sharpen other bladed lawn garden and shop tools including lawn mower blades, shovels, scrapers, shears, garden pruners and lots more, this makes it a versatile tool.
Pros:
- Offers a one-year warranty
- It has a low price point
Cons:
- Product may scratch the blade
4. Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
This offers a uniquely styled stone grinding pattern, it features everything you need including two grit level, an angle guide as well as a guidebook for beginners. It has a beautiful base to give it stability. It is a combination of two Waterstones, the first side (the blue side) has a grain and grit density of 1000, this is ideal for sharpening dull blades. The other part is the white side, it has 6000-grain density and is suitable for honing and finishing. This duo makes it perfect for experts and amateurs alike.
The base is made of a solid, long-lasting block of bamboo along with a slip-layer at the underside while the upper part of the stone is made of silicone to provide more stability. Both the bamboo as well as the silicone are easy to clean.
Since 1000 grit whetstone is coarse, you needn’t use Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone often, but you may need to hone your knife with the fine side from time to time.
Pros:
- Features an eBook guide for ease of use
- Has a balanced grit duo
Cons:
- The guide is hard, this may scratch your knives
5. Smith’s PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpeners
If you are looking for a compact knife sharpener, then look no further than Smith’s PP1 Hunting Knife Sharpeners. The pocket knife sharpener features a diamond-coated rear rod that can be folded and tucked into the pocket hence it can be easily transported. The rod is tapered to a small point, this enables it to slide easily between the teeth, thereby delivering the desired sharpening.
To ensure quick, efficient sharpening, it features two slots, the first slot has a coarse carbide, this revitalizes the knife’s dull edge while the fine slot is made of ceramic and is more suitable for honing knives. The ceramic slot is ideal for both serrated as well as straight-edged knives.
It offers three sharpening options, which are well equipped to handle any sharpening activity from pocket blades, hunting knives to camping pocket knives, and even cleavers and swords. It can be carried easily on camping or fishing trips; it has a foolproof concave grip that helps you handle the sharpener properly.
Pros:
- Ideal for straight and serrated blades
- It is compact and can be easily transported
Cons:
- Not suitable for large hands
6. Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System
If you love giving your knives new razor-sharp edges, then you are sure to love this versatile sharpening tool. The kit comes with all that you need including five different grits and colors with a fancy box; it features knife clamp and guide rods which enables you to sharpen your knife to different angles, with satisfying results.
Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Sharpening System is efficient enough to handle any kitchen knife, this includes butcher’s knife, chef, hunting, fillet, and so on. It also comes with a small bottle of honing oil; this also helps the sharpening process.
Pros:
- Ideal for different kinds of knives
- It comes at an affordable price
Knife Sharpening South Portland
Cons:
- No guide for Asian blades
7. Utopia Kitchen 10-Inch Honing Steel Knife Sharpening Steel Sharpening Rod
Utopia Kitchen 10-Inch Honing Steel Knife Sharpening Steel Sharpening Rod has our heart, it’s not only solid, but it also does a good job and comes at a reasonable price. It comes in two length options, a 10-inch length, and a 12-inch length. It is made of carbon steel with nickel-chrome plating adding to its sturdiness and solid weight.
It has a plastic handle along with a bolster, this balances out the weight of the metal hence it provides comfort while honing knives. The bolster also provides safety as it prevents slips while gripping the sharpener in a vertical position. It is ideal for straightening curled blade edges while also removing little metal burrs, this ensures the blade is kept smooth and sharp. Furthermore, it features a ring at the handle, this allows you to hook or hang it on a rack or wall.
Pros:
- Well balanced and easy to use
- Product is affordable
Cons:
- It’s not dishwasher safe
Knife Sharpener Slot Knife
8. Berytta Art Electric Knife Tool 3-in-1 Sharpening Machine
While this may not be such a popular brand, its effectiveness and superior quality far exceed other brands on the market. It is lightweight with a capacity to sharpen scissors, screwdrivers, and knives. The electric sharpener has a small footprint, with a compact size to fit into a countertop. Weighing only 1.32 pounds, it makes up for this with suction cups which are located at the base to give it more stability.
Berytta Art Electric Knife Tool 3-in-1 Sharpening Machine features four slots which are ideal for sharpening and honing kitchen knives. It also features a slot for sharpening scissors and shears while one more slot is meant for sharpening screwdrivers, a feature that is rare with other sharpeners. The product runs on electricity, sharpens your knife within 3 minutes, and is as efficient as is expected.
Pros:
- It is lightweight and compact
- Has a retractable cord
Cons:
- Product has a loud operation
Conclusion
Many different factors determine the usability of a sharpening tool, hence not everyone will get a perfect product that ticks all the boxes. However, we hope that our review of the best knife sharpeners has helped made it easier to select the right product that is ideal for you while also being pocket-friendly.