Purchasing the best knife sharpener america’s test kitchen is tricky since there’s a one-size-fits-all model. Some models are designed to sharpen specific types of knives; also, the resulting level of sharpness depends on the amount of time and effort invested and the sharpener’s quality.

Choosing a knife sharpener among dozens of options can be overwhelming. Thus, we’ve decided to do the homework for you and help you find that perfect sharpener to extend your knives’ lifespan and maintain its ultra-sharpness.

Let’s look at the different types of sharpening devices and decide which will best suit your needs.

Reviews of the Best Rated Knife Sharpener America’s Test Kitchen of 2020

Top 1 – Chef’s Choice 130 Professional: Best Electric Knife Sharpener

The Chef’s Choice 130 Professional Electric Knife Sharpening Station is a brilliant option with inbuilt precision guides on each stage, which eliminates the guesswork when sharpening your knives. This product is one of the best electric knife sharpeners out there.

This model allows professional sharpening, stropping, and steeling to all 20-degree class knives. It’s excellent for sharpening both straight and straight edge serrated knives, including sports knives, household, sports, and kitchen knives.

This model has three stages. The first stage features 100% diamonds; the second stage sports super-hardened sharpening steel, while the last stage rocks flexible stropping disks.

Pros:

• 3-stage sharpening system
• Built-in precision angle guides
• Stabilizing rubber feet
• Designed for sharpening both straight edge and serrated knives

Cons:

• Might not be the best option for old knives

Top 2 – Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro: Best Manual Knife Sharpener

The Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro is arguably the best manual knife sharpener on the market. This manual option is an excellent all-around choice and comes with three diamond sharpening abrasive stages for working the blade to an ultra-sharp edge. Even better, this knife sharpener works incredibly on serrated blades.

 This unit is to be held by one hand while you pull the knife via the sharpener. This way, users can use Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro Diamond Hone Manual Knife Sharpener safely without any mishaps. Also, it helps you maintain consistent and stable contact between the counter and the sharpener.

Besides, this model has a smaller footprint to make it easy to store this machine in a cabinet or drawer. The prime concern about Chef’s Choice 4643 ProntoPro is it grinds at a 15-degree edge without any adjustment option. So, if you want to grind your blade at a different angle, this knife sharpener isn’t for you.

Pros:

• Soft Touch comfortable handle
• Professional 3-stage sharpener
• Easy to use
• Sharpen straight edge and serrated knives

Cons:

• Issues with sharpening short blades

Top 3 – Utopia 10 Inches Honing Steel Knife Sharpening Steel Sharpening Rod

For anyone looking to purchase the best honing steel, the Utopia 10 Inches Honing Steel Knife is a decent choice. This sharpening steel rod works well on all types of knives, including standard, pocket, sporting, household, and kitchen knives.

This honing steel rod features carbon steel construction and nickel-chrome coating. In addition, it has a fine surface to avoid causing damage to the cutting edge when sharpening.

Furthermore, this unit has an ergonomic handle to be compatible with left or right-handed individuals. Also, it comes with a slip-resistant rubber bottom to ensure this tool stays in place during the entire process. Plus, it makes handling it easier.

Thanks to its design, Utopia 10 Inches Honing Steel is safe, quick, and easy to use. However, this unit is not dishwasher safe.

Pros:

• Carbon steel construction
• Slip-resistant rubber bottom for a stable experience
• Easy to use
• Ergonomic handle for both left and right-handed users

Cons:

• There’s no coarse grit option

Top 4 – Smith’s Abrasives PP1 hunting-knife-sharpeners

Want to own the best pocket knife sharpener? Smith’s Abrasives PP1 hunting-knife-sharpeners can be the way to go. This model is affordable, compact, yet multifunctional for use on outdoor tools and pocket knives.

What’s more? Its compact design allows this sharpener to fit into your pocket. It sports a diamond-plated rear rod designed to fold neatly into the shell for easy storage. It delivers a proper sharpening to your serrated knife, thanks to its small tapered point.

Smith’s Abrasives PP1 hunting-knife-sharpeners rocks two slots to sharpen your blades quickly. It features a coarse carbide slot to revitalize dull edges and a fine, smooth one crafted with ceramic to offer a smoother hone—the formal works on both serrated and straight knives.

Further, this best pocket knife sharpener has three sharpening options to ensure it handles any type of pocket blade with ease, from straight-edge camping knife to brawny hunting knife. Also, it’ll handle large blades like bulky swords.

Pros:

• Portable design
• Durable construction
• Includes a fine honing option
• Works well on both straight and serrated blades

Cons:

• Extra caution to avoid cutting your thumb

Top 5 – Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone

Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone is a complete kit including a double-sided, premium whetstone, knife sharpening angle guide, bamboo base to hold the stone, a simple instruction manual, and a detailed ebook featuring tricks and tips.

More so, this best knife sharpener stone is highly durable and long-lasting. It’s designed to sharpen any type of blade out there, from paring knife to steak knife, chef knife, sushi knife, BBQ knife, Japanese knife, Hunting knife, chisel, pocket knife, scissor, etc.

When sharpening your knife, safety is one crucial factor always to consider. Here’s why it comes with a silicone base to hold the stone while the nonslip bamboo base ensures it remains in place while sharpening.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Premium quality control
• Superior cutting performance
• Works on all type of blade

Cons:

• Not ideal for high performance / expensive knives

Top 6 – Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener offers a simple way to sharpen your knives. This model features a two-stage sharpening system, which works well for most non-serrated blades.

This machine is designed to take the guesswork out when sharpening your knife with its precision blade guides, which ensures you sharpen the blade at the ideal angle. This best straight knife sharpener creates a razor-sharp edge using sapphirite sharpening wheels in seconds.

This unit has a two-stage sharpening system. The first stage offers precision grinding to start the process of creating a precisely-angled edge. The second stage provides fine honing to complete the process for a razor-sharp edge.

Pros:

• Special two stage system
• Non-slip base
• Coarse and fine sharpening levels
• 1-year limited warranty

Cons:

• Not a very aggressive option

Top 7 – Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener

Need the best hunting knife sharpener? Then it would help if you considered a Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener. This model features a compact design without compromising quality. It includes a leather strop, ceramic rods, diamond plates, and sharpening guides.

This complete set offers an easy, fast, and consistent sharpening solution for camp and knives tools. The ceramic honing rod has fine and coarse honing surfaces, as well as a grooved surface to sharpen fish hooks.

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener offers a consistent blade edge angle with its 20-degree for sharpening and a 25-degree angle guide for honing.

Pros:

• Compact and durable
• Consistent blade edge angles
• Complete set
• No assembly required

Cons:

• Its small size makes it a bit challenging to grip.

Top 8 – Edge Pro Apex 4 Knife Sharpening System

This sharpening system is designed to sharpen any shape or size blade up to 3 ½-inch wide as well as serrated knives. Edge Pro Apex 4 Knife Sharpening System allows users to sharpen at the same angle every time. This way, users can easily resharpen their blade and never have a blunt one again.

The water stones are designed to prevent gummed-up oil stones for a messy free sharpening experience. This best knife sharpener kit is built to last a long time without having to break the bank. The Edge Pro Apex 4 Knife Sharpening System boasts of removing lesser metal than grinders or electric pro sharpeners.

Pros:

• 8-inch 1200 Grit Ceramic Hone
• Coarse to ultra-fine options
• Premium construction
• Removes little metal

Cons:

• The blade table could be more sturdy
• The collar is not include

Top 9 – AccuSharp Fillet Knife Sharpener

AccuSharp Fillet Knife Sharpener is a must-have for people who want to sharpen their fillet knife to razor-sharp quickly. This handheld sharpener is the best fillet knife sharpener; it offers a quick, easy to use for both serrated and straight knives.

This model features a diamond-honed tungsten carbide for sharpening blades and offers a reliable year of service. Also, the blades are replaceable and reversible. Further, it comes with a large ergonomic handle to protect your hand and secure handling.

Pros:

• Lifetime guarantee
• Large ergonomic handle
• Made in the USA
• Replaceable and reversible sharpening blades

Cons:

• Not so great on scissors and other big kitchen knives

Top 10 – AccuSharp Classic Pull-Through Knife Sharpener

Coming last on this list is AccuSharp Classic Pull-Through Knife Sharpener with a commercial-grade construction. This product is a decent choice for anyone looking to purchase the best pull through knife sharpener.

Furthermore, this unit sports diamond-honed Tungsten carbide sharpening blades and fine ceramic rods. That’s not all: AccuSharp Classic Pull-Through Knife Sharpener has a heavy-duty, ergonomically-designed handle coupled with a rubber overmold grip to deliver a comfortable and wobble-free platform to sharpen all knives. This product is available in gray and black options.

Pros:

• Stable and comfortable platform
• Ergonomically-designed handle
• Two-color options
• High-quality material construction

Cons:

• Require a bit more work for a razor-sharp blade

Top 11 – BulbHead Avarian as seen on tv knife sharpener

The BulbHead Avarian Edge Kitchen Knife Sharpener is designed to sharpen dull knives in a couple of seconds, unlike most sharpening steel or electric knife sharpeners, which are usually meant to work on specific blade types.

This model is also equipped with two independent tungsten carbide spring-action arms that contour to the edge of the knife than a sharpening stone. The BulbHead Avarian Edge Kitchen Knife Sharpener is ideal for sharpening beveled, serrated, and standard blade.

Pros:

• Ideal for all blade types
• Sharpens in less time
• Sturdy design
• Safe to use

Cons:

• Performance is not up to par.

How to choose the Best Knife Sharpener

Here are key factors to consider before splurging on a knife sharpener for your needs.

Electric vs. Manual

If you prefer a sharpener with a customizable grind angle, then you should consider an electric sharpener. Keep in mind that these models are pricier compared to most manual options. However, these units deliver consistent and fast results, making them a bit more fool-proof, unlike other standard manual sharpening systems.

Ease of use

Ease of use and convenience are key factors to consider when shopping for a knife sharpener. Messy countertops, time-consuming steps, and inconsistent results are major reasons why people stay away from whetstones. For more convenience and faster sharpening results, opt for a V-notch pull-through or electric sharpener.

Versatility

Most sharpeners are designed to handle a wide range of knife sizes, but it’s best to consider the type of blade and grind angle the product is compatible with before purchasing it.

For standard blades, the grind angle is about 20-degrees, which is easy to maintain and quite durable with a honing rod and whetstone. Most electric and pull-through sharpening systems sharpen at 15-degree angles. This sharpener regrinds your knife at the exact angle.

A 15-degree angled blade is ultra-sharp, which requires frequent sharpening. Thus, it reduces the blade’s life. If you’ve serrated knives, you should opt for a sharpener designed for sharpening serrated blades.

Keep in mind that sharpening a serrated blade tends to reduce the knife’s life span drastically.

Safety

Safety is definitely essential when it comes to working with sharp blades. Some sharpening methods such as pull-through and electric countertop models are safer than others like the handheld V-notch sharpeners since they do not come with a groove. This way, your fingers tend to make contact with your finger. Thus, for safer options, opt for electric or countertop V-notch.

In addition, using a whetstone requires proper technique to keep the edge of the blade pointed away as you grind to minimize mishap.

FAQs

1. How long should it take to sharpen a knife?

There are lots of variables to consider when it comes to how long you should sharpen your dull. It probably would take 10 – 20 minutes to reset the edge using a coarse diamond stone. Besides, it would take about five minutes to achieve razor sharpness working on a medium diamond stone. However, it might take longer if the knife is deadly dull. In our opinion, take such a knife to a pro.

Also, it depends on the level of sharpness you intend to achieve. Other variables that might affect consider the length of the blade, type of point, and hardness of the blade.

Do knife sharpeners really work?

In general, knife sharpeners are effective ways of maintaining and sharpening your knives, scissors, and other tools. Handheld models work using two tungsten carbide pieces to create a new edge as it wears away the metal on both sides of the blade. Besides, keep in mind that the knives are made of metal, making it nearly impossible for a sharpener to truly ruin your knife.

What should you not do when sharpening a knife? 

• Using fewer strokes
• Familiarize yourself with the edge
• Apply too much force

What is the best knife sharpener?

Not sure which model to purchase? Then consider our top pick, Chef’s Choice 130 Professional Electric Knife Sharpening Station. This sharpener is ideal for beginners and sharpens both straight and straight edge serrated knives, including sports knives, household, sports, and kitchen knives. Regardless of your choice,  you can’t really go wrong with any of the options on this list.

If you are looking to get your kids into cooking check out this article on kids kitchen knives.