The Greatest Knife Sharpeners of 2024, Examined

I used to be informed rising up {that a} uninteresting knife was extra harmful than a pointy one. Once I was a child, it was a head-scratcher for me, however after I actually began utilizing knives on my backpacking and tenting journeys and to decorate and butcher sport, all of it got here into focus. A uninteresting knife takes much more effort to chop and often finally ends up with you ‘’sawing’’ with the knife. Consequently, you possibly can slip off and stick your self. The lesson is {that a} uninteresting knife is a nugatory knife. That is why you want a knife sharpener. 

So, the remedy for what ails you is a pointy knife. However irrespective of how good the warmth deal with on the blade, or how sharp the manufacturing unit edge, each knife will should be sharpened. So the place to start? Sharpeners can be found anyplace from 5 bucks to over $500. I’ve been sharpening knives since I used to be about 14 years previous, and sharpening them professionally since 2015. In that point, I’ve used nearly every little thing on the market and I wish to aid you navigate the crowded knife sharpener market. Listed below are my picks for the perfect knife sharpeners, in addition to picks from Greg Campbell, a customized knife maker, and Scott Einsmann, gear editor.

Testing the Greatest Knife Sharpeners

We sharpened knives with various blade angles and warmth treats whereas evaluating the knife sharpeners on the next standards:

• Velocity
• Ease of use
• Consistency
• Edge produced

The Greatest Knife Sharpeners: Opinions and Suggestions

Key Options 

• 15 to 30 diploma angle guides
• Consists of: 220, 320, 400, 600, & 800 grit diamond plates, ceramic plate, leather-based strop, and ceramic rod for serrations
• Adjustable in 1 diploma increments
• Worth: $139.95
• Nice for sharpening pocket knives, kitchen knives, searching knives, and broadheads

Execs

• Exact sharpening
• Simple to make use of
• Versatile 

Cons

Whether or not it’s good to sharpen a 2-inch pocket knife or an heirloom fastened blade, that is the perfect knife sharpener for the job. It may possibly energy by way of tremendous steels and polish to reflect end. I like that it’s simple to keep up a constant edge angle and that the package solely has just a few items. It’s additionally comparatively cheap in comparison with comparable sharpeners. 

I not often use the aggressive stones which might be included within the package, except I’m repairing a chip. I begin with the 600 grit, progress to 800 grit, and end with the leather-based strop. You’ll be able to go from a knife that received’t push reduce paper to at least one that may break up a hair in 10 minutes. A part of what makes sharpening go so shortly is how simple it’s to rotate the stones to vary grits. It’s additionally very simple to swap sides of the knife.

There’s a studying curve to utilizing this knife sharpener, however listed here are just a few ideas to assist shorten the curve. Discover the best angle by coloring the sting with a sharpie and making mild passes with the stone till you discover the angle the place the stone removes the sharpie from the sting. An alternative choice is to decide on an angle you want and use the coarse stones to regulate your knives to that angle. After getting an angle, the secret’s to make use of mild, constant strain and lengthy strokes. Bear in mind to maneuver the strop in a single course in order that it doesn’t reduce the leather-based. -S.E.

Greatest Electrical: Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk 2

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Key Options

• 7-speed motor with LED show
• Adjustable sharpening information 
• Sharpens from: 15 to 30 levels
• Software sharpening adapter with 65-degree scissor information
• Consists of belts that vary from further coarse to further high quality 
• Worth: $200 (Blade Grinder is an extra $99)

Execs

• Rapidly sharpens knives and instruments
• Nice for repairing chipped blades
• Glorious directions included 
• Versatile 

Cons

• Can damage a knife in case you’re not cautious 
• Noisy

The Work Sharp Ken Onion sharpener has been our greatest electrical knife sharpener choose for 3 years working as a result of it’s versatile, quick, and simple to make use of. Sharpening is a talent, and you’ll go down the deep rabbit gap of whetstones or costly fixed-angle programs. However most individuals wish to sharpen their knives shortly and get on with their day. In addition they don’t need a number of sharpeners for kitchen knives, pocket knives, scissors, and backyard instruments. That’s the position the Work Sharp fills, and it does it exceptionally effectively. 

The way it Works

This knife sharpener makes use of abrasive belts, reasonably than stones, of various grits. A small motor spins the belt, and utilizing the angle guides, you pull the knife throughout the belt to take away materials. Work Sharp contains detailed directions within the field, they usually have a bunch of useful YouTube movies. I like to recommend studying to make use of the sharpener with an affordable knife as a result of in case you’re utilizing a course belt at excessive speeds, you possibly can shortly take away lots of materials and damage a knife.

Testing

In testing the brand new Mk 2, I sharpened knives that went by way of my rigorous EDC knife take a look at, searching knives, and kitchen knives. The addition of the Blade Grinder attachment allowed me to attempt my hand at freehand sharpening knives, and I used it to sharpen much-neglected scissors and pruners.

The Mk 2 is simply as simple to make use of as earlier fashions, and it has some good refinements. The velocity management is not a nob, however plus and minus buttons with lighted stage indicators. There’s additionally a constant-on perform, which frees up each fingers for sharpening. The angle adjustment is finished on a clean wheel with clicks for every diploma. 

If you wish to take a knife from uninteresting to sharp, just a few passes with the medium belt is all that’s wanted. The method solely takes a couple of minutes. Progressing to finer belts leads to a sophisticated leading edge that glides by way of materials. However earlier than you possibly can get pleasure from that ease of sharpening you’ll should reprofile your knife’s edge to the convex grind created by the belt sharpener. This course of takes about 10 minutes, however as soon as it’s executed, upkeep is simple. 

Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener: Tumbler Knife Sharpener 

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Key Options

• Sharpens at 15 or 20 diploma angles
• Coarse and high quality sides
• Magnetic 
• Worth: $130

Execs

• Quick and simple to make use of
• No talent or approach required 

Cons

• Not splendid for pocket knives
• Gained’t restore giant chips

All it’s good to use the Tumbler is a flat floor, a uninteresting knife, and three minutes of your time. It’s by far the best kitchen knife sharpener I’ve used, and it takes no follow to get the cling of. 

I had a uninteresting knife within the drawer that was aching to be introduced again to life. I caught it to the magnetic angle information and rolled the diamond abrasive backwards and forwards. A burr developed, and I flipped the knife over and rolled some extra. The burr disappeared, and I repeated the method with the honing aspect. Similar to that, I had a pointy kitchen knife.

This sharpener received’t work in your pocket knife and it received’t sharpen an enormous chip out of a blade. However you received’t discover a neater or quicker possibility for each day kitchen knife sharpening. 

Examine Newest Worth

Key Options 

• 12 to 28-degree angle
• Consists of: 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 grit diamond stones
• Adjustable in .5 diploma increments
• Sharpens blades as much as 15 inches lengthy
• Worth: $1000+

Execs

• Exact sharpening
• Simple to make use of
• Versatile 

Cons

No, it’s not low cost, however you possibly can’t argue with the outcomes. I purchased a Professional Pack 1 for my sharpening enterprise, and it was price each penny. The evolution of that system is the Gen 4 sharpener. Completely mirror polished, hair whittling edges each time. I’ve sharpened practically 2000 high-end EDC knives with mine, and it’s nonetheless going sturdy. Choose any angle from 12 to twenty-eight levels per aspect, clamp it in, comply with the instructions, and also you’re going to get a stage of sharpness that you simply’ve most likely by no means skilled. The Depraved Edge offers the proper v-edge, each time. Should you plan to sharpen lots of knives, otherwise you need the mirror edge with the least effort, that is the best way to go. 

Learn Subsequent: Learn how to Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Key Options

• Worth: $189
• Coarse and high quality sharpening stones
• Magnetic knife holder
• 15 or 20 diploma angle

Execs

• Very simple to make use of
• No sharpening expertise essential

Cons

• Not advisable for pocket knives

Should you don’t wish to spend months practising the best way to sharpen a knife, that is the last word sharpening system in your kitchen knives. All it’s important to do is stick the knife to the magnetic angle information, after which roll the sharpening stone again and fourth till you see a bur develop. Then flip the knife over and repeat on the opposite aspect. It takes minutes and there’s no approach mastery essential.

Key Options 

• Size: 4.75 inches
• Width: 1.25 inches
• Comes with carrying case
• Worth: $14.50

Execs

• Exact sharpening
• Simple to make use of
• Versatile 

Cons

I reduce my tooth on a Smith’s Medium Arkansas Stone. And for the value, you possibly can’t beat them. There are some “pull-through” sharpeners on the market for rather less than the price of a knife-sharpening stone, however they actually don’t do a superb job, they usually chew up your blade. The small 4 inch stone may be had for round $10, however the 6-inch stone is preferable for just a little extra money. This blade sharpener methodology will take some follow, and also you may not get the outcomes you need proper off the bat, however while you grasp it, there’s a deep satisfaction that comes from it. Studying to preserve your angle constant would be the largest hurdle, however there are numerous good tutorials on-line, and Smith’s does make small guides that will help you out to start with. Relying in your approach, you possibly can both get a v-edge, or a slight convex from a stone. A really slight “rocking” movement on the finish of every cross can produce a convex in case you want.  

Greatest for Kitchen Knives: Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker  

Examine Newest Worth

Key Options 

• Ceramic Stones: Medium (brown) and high quality (white)
• Might be set to 30° (15° either side) or 40° (20° either side) 
• Aluminum security rods
• Can sharpen knives, scissors, and awls
• Worth: $89

Execs

• Exact sharpening
• Simple to make use of
• Versatile 

Cons

Kitchen knives often aren’t taking huge hits, and actually need extra upkeep than something. The Sharpmaker is ideal for upkeep. It comes with ceramic rods of differing grits, relying on how a lot materials it’s good to take away. It’s additionally a semi-guided system and allows you to select from some preset angles. You maintain the knife good and straight and make alternating passes down every ceramic rod with a sweeping movement to get it sharp from the heel all the best way to the tip. Once more, it would take some follow, however this sharpener offers wonderful outcomes, and might carry you edge to a close to mirror polish with follow. In case your edge has some actual injury, it might take a while to sharpen it out. The Sharpmaker doesn’t have a rough sufficient rod to take away injury shortly. It’s price noting that this technique will work with blades of any measurement. You’ll be able to put a pleasant v-edge on something from a Case Mini-Trapper to a meat carving knife.  

Greatest Whetstone: Keenbest Sharpening Stone 

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Key Options

• Two double-sides stones
• Silicon carbide development
• 7”x2.2”x1” sized stones

Execs 

• Sturdy and easy design
• Cheap price
• Incorporates all it’s good to successfully sharpen your knives in a single package

Cons

• It comes with a set angle information that won’t work for each model of knife you sharpen
• At 7 kilos, it’s just a little heavy for journey

The Keenbest Sharpening Stone is an affordable, easy-to-use set that comes with two whetstones, one with 400/1000 grit and the opposite with 3000/8000 grit. The heavy responsibility base is made from bamboo, with rubber on the underside to maintain it in place when sharpening — a comfort and a security function. The whetstones are two completely different colours, a light-weight inexperienced and a light-weight orange, permitting the consumer to shortly establish the correct stone. It additionally comes with a “resurfacer,” in any other case referred to as a flattening stone that’s used to flatten the whetstones as they get worn away with use. Keenbest features a leather-based strop and an angle information — every little thing it’s good to sharpen and keep your blades is included. Keenbest features a useful listing of ideas for utilizing this technique. There are dearer stones available on the market, however these stones are extremely efficient, and with just a little persistence and work, are nice for getting that sharp leading edge you’re on the lookout for. -Greg Campbell

Key Options

• Tough and clean aspect
• 12.5 inches lengthy
• 2.17 inches huge
• Consists of 4 grits of stropping compound

Execs

• Loads of floor space
• Excessive-quality leather-based 

Cons

• Some customers would possibly want two clean leather-based sides

I exploit this strop every day for my leather-based working instruments and for touching up my pocket knife between sharpenings. I preserve a medium stropping compound on one aspect and a high quality compound on the opposite. With this strop and the included stropping compound you possibly can take an edge that’s sharp and convey it again to very sharp in just some swipes. Should you preserve your instruments sharp and by no means allow them to get uninteresting, you received’t have to make use of a stone except you do some injury. That’s why a strop is a should have-tool for sustaining your blades. -S.E.

Key Options

• 2000/3000 Grit
• 11.5 inches lengthy
• Ceramic

Execs

• Nice for kitchen knives
• Simple to make use of

Cons

Open my kitchen knife drawer and also you’ll discover this ceramic hone. I purchased it after a pal of mine, who’s a customized knife maker, advisable it. I exploit it to the touch up my chef’s knife earlier than each use and as an alternative of sharpening weekly, I’m right down to sharpening my kitchen knives month-to-month. Similar to a strop, the secret’s upkeep. Preserve your knives sharp, and also you received’t should sharpen them. In the case of honing rods the most typical mistake is utilizing them the flawed method. If you’re holding the hone in a single hand as you shortly swipe the blade within the different, you’re doing it flawed. 

The appropriate method to make use of it’s to place the tip of the hone in your chopping board, then whereas sustaining a constant angle make even passes on either side of the blade. S.E.

Greatest for Your Pack: Work Sharp Pivot

Key Options 

•  25 diploma carbide sharpening blades
• 320 grit diamond sharpening floor
• Positive-grit ceramic rods
• Weight: 2.4 ounces

Execs

Cons

When your searching knife will get uninteresting when you’re boning out an elk, you want a sharpener that may shortly get you again to work. That’s the place the Depraved Edge Pivot excels. It’s not a elaborate sharpener and it’s not going to provide mirror edges, however when your knife is uninteresting, it would make it sharp. At 2.4 ounces this palm-sized sharpener isn’t too huge to maintain in your pack. Since my searching knife of alternative is now a set blade, the Pivot has a everlasting place in my kill package. One of many keys to utilizing this sharpener is to not press down on the blade, simply use the burden of the knife for downward strain as you pull the knife throughout the rods. -S.E.

Learn Subsequent: Learn how to Sharpen a Knife

Learn how to Select the Greatest Knife Sharpener

My dad was a sushi chef and he began on a regular basis by soaking his whetstones and bringing his knives to a high quality edge. His stones are nonetheless getting used to sharpen my kitchen knives they usually’ll final for a few years to return. 

However they’re not the perfect knife sharpener for each job. On my knives made out of high-rockwell stainless steels, I want an electrical sharpener to restore chips and diamond stones for common upkeep. And typically, getting the whetstones prepped is a ache. So I’ll attain for a honing rod to shortly get a blade prepared to chop, sorry dad. 

Varieties of Knife Sharpeners

You can also make a uninteresting knife sharp with a automotive window or a thousand greenback sharpening stone. We’ve reviewed lots of choices between these two choices and the trick goes to be figuring out which is finest for you. Listed below are some professionals and cons to contemplate for the three major sorts of sharpeners.

Electrical Knife Sharpeners

Execs

• Sharpen knives shortly
• Simple to make use of
• Nice for repairing chips
• Produce a convex edge

Cons

• Can damage a knife shortly
• The convex edge isn’t splendid for all chopping purposes 

Guided Knife Sharpeners

Execs

• Simple to make use of
• Sharpen most knives

Cons

• Takes time to setup and use 

Stones

Execs

• The last word sharpening flex
• Can produce a toothy or high quality edge
• Don’t take away an excessive amount of metal

Cons

Honing a Knife versus Sharpening a Knife

A knife sharpener removes metallic from a knife to create a brand new leading edge. A honing rod refines an already sharp edge. Consider a honing rod or pull-through sharpener as upkeep instruments for holding your knife sharp. Even with constant honing, your knife will finally want sharpening by a stone or belt sharpener. 

Sort of Edge 

There are two main sorts of edges a sharpener can placed on a knife, a v-edge and a convex edge. The v-edge has a cross-section that appears like a “V.” A convex edge has a slight curve to the bevel, like a “V” that curves inward barely on the backside. A convex edge is usually extra sturdy, and fewer more likely to chip or roll below heavy use, however they often don’t really feel as sharp as a v-edge of the identical angle. Each sorts of edges may be made sharp sufficient to whittle hair, and each are nice in the best software. 

The final issue you need to have a look at earlier than selecting a sharpener is edge angle. To maintain it easy, the smaller, extra acute the angle, the sharper the knife will probably be, and the higher the outright chopping efficiency. However, that efficiency comes at the price of edge power and stability. The decrease your angle, the extra probably you might be to chip or roll your edge in case you run into one thing arduous like bone, or a staple within the cardboard, or a bullet fragment in your sport meat. Many programs have angle guides that aid you keep a constant angle throughout the complete edge, they usually allow you to choose from a spread of angles. 

FAQs

Remaining Ideas on the Greatest Knife Sharpeners

Few issues match the satisfaction of taking a tough edge to a sophisticated edge that may break up hairs. Whether or not you select a guide knife sharpener just like the Depraved Edge or an electrical sharpener just like the Work Sharp, you possibly can produce a pointy knife that provides you with the satisfaction of slicing paper with ease.