
If there’s one thing that reduces my time in the kitchen, it’s my beloved knife set. By investing in high-quality blades over the years, I’ve been able to improve my cooking process and become more efficient as a result.
However, I’ve learned that my blades are only as good as their regular care routine. Without proper maintenance, my knives begin to dull, and suddenly my food preparation time becomes noticeably slower.
In this article, we’ll go over some of my favorite manual knife sharpeners out on the market today and briefly go over the proper way to utilize these handy devices. You’ll also find that some of these sharpeners can be used for woodworking knives and other small blades.
My Top 3 Manual Knife Sharpeners
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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![]() | Chef’sChoice Manual Knife Sharpeners for 15- and 20-Degree Straight-Edge and Serrated Knives with... | No ratings yet | Buy Now |
![]() | 4-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessories: 3-Stage Knife Sharpener Helps Repair, Restore, Polish Blades and... | No ratings yet | Buy Now |
![]() | WÜSTHOF 2-Stage Hand-Held Sharpener, Black | No ratings yet | Buy Now |
I’ve found that one of the best ways to combat this is by purchasing a manual knife sharpener. By sharpening your knives regularly, you’ll prepare food more efficiently, be safer and save a lot of time and energy.
Here are my 10 favorite picks for knife sharpeners with varying price points, styles, and added features.
This versatile sharpener includes 3 different sharpening modes for lighter blades, thicker metals, and serrated knives. The bevel angle cuts at precise 15 and 20-degree angles allowing for extra sharp cuts. I love the comfort grip rubberized handle on this piece, making this sharpener super easy to use.
Proton Pro is also compact and lightweight, so if you’re planning to cook at someone else’s house, taking this sharpener along is no trouble at all. Verified reviewers found this knife to be super effective, even on high-quality Wüsthof knives.
If you’re just learning about knife sharpening, this sharpener is a perfect place to start. This kit comes with cut-resistant gloves so you’ll stay extra save while sharpening your dull blade. With three different slots, this sharpener is designed to sharpen, shape, and polish your blades all in one set.
The ergonomic handle is easy to grip making this sharpener easy to use for beginners. Plus, the manufacturer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee should you be dissatisfied in any way. With an average of 4.5 out 5-star review score, this sharpener is certainly worth a try.
Wüsthof is known for crafting top-notch products, and this sharpener is no exception. The 2-in-one system includes slots for both fine and coarse blades. For such a modest price point, the ceramic rods do a great job at refining knives to unlock their full potential.
I love the comfort grip on this sharpener, and its sleek, black appearance fits into a variety of style settings. I loved how easy this sharpener was to use. This sharpener is an excellent choice for beginners.
For a sharpener suited for all types of knives, check out this sharpener by Ehoyal. Its cross blade design is constructed with heavy-duty tungsten carbide to sharpen your knives more effectively than a traditional sharpening stone. The sharpener bracket sits flat on your counter and can be used to sharpen, polish, and shape dull knives.
I love the high-quality construction of this sharpener and find it extremely easy to use, as I simply wedge my knife between the two blades and pull according to my desired sharpness levels. Customer service is also quick to respond to any issues, making this a great buy for any household.
This electric knife sharpener is perfect for sharpening any and all knives in your knife block. The two-stage sharpening system refines your blades and polishes them leaving you with a finished feel every time. Notably, the sharpener uses sapphirite wheels to help sharpen your dull blades which are super-efficient and save you time while cooking.
With the automatic sharpener, you’ll never have to manually set the angle blade value, making this a great sharpener for novice knife users. I was surprised by the impressive power of this sharpener despite the modest price point. If you’re not ready to invest in a fully manual sharpener just yet, this is the next best thing.
This sharpener is a perfect gift for your favorite hunter or outdoor enthusiast. Smith’s sharpener adjusts according to the thickness of your knife, making it ideal for all-purpose or outdoor knives. The 3-in-one system includes slots for serrated blades and fine or coarse refinement. The comfort handle makes this sharpener super easy to use and the non-slip rubber feet ensure stable knife refinement in a variety of environments.
The sharpener handles blade angles from 14-24 degrees for maximum flexibility. Some users even tested this sharpener out on their kitchen knives with great success.
For truly individualized sharpening on a knife to knife basis, check out this manual sharpener by AccuSharp. This sharpener glides across the top of your blade to sharpen your dull knives with the tungsten carbide chamber. There’s a safety guard for your hand so you’re sure to stay safe while using this sharpener.
Its compact size makes it perfect for outdoor knives. Best of all, the sharpener is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup though handwashing is recommended.
I personally love this sharpener as its compact size does not take up unnecessary space on my counter. It comes in your choice of black, red, or bright green to match your personal sense of style. The dual-chamber sharpener is ideal for refining coarse and fine blades. The non-slip grip of this sharpener helps it stay stable while in use, allowing you to sharpen your blades without any extra hassle.
Notably, the sharpener is equipped with both carbide and ceramic rods for maximum sharpening flexibility. Don’t let the price fool you— this sharpener is just as capable as any other well-made knife sharpener.
This compact knife sharpener is super easy to store and proves to be a powerful tool in the kitchen. Its hands-free patented design makes this tiny device very convenient to use while cooking, and it comes in your choice of bright red or black. The steel blades sharpen small blades, chefs knives, and even serrated blades. At a 20-degree sharpening angle, you’ll be amazed at how effective this sharpener really is.
Should you have any problems at all with this device, you’ll receive a full refund, no questions asked. It’s certainly worth a try in that rite alone.
This 2-step knife sharpener is equipped with everything you need to revive your old blades. With 2 tungsten-carbide blades and 2 ceramic rods, you’re able to sharpen, shape, and polish a variety of knives with no trouble at all. This sharpener is ideal for small outdoor knives or pocket knives and is compact enough to fit into a small backpack.
I loved the simple construction of this sharpener and found it extremely straight forward to use properly. This sharpener is essential for any serious outdoorsman.
Before picking out the perfect knife sharpener for your home, it’s important to understand the importance of sharpening in the first place. Here are a few reasons why you need to sharpen your knives.
The most obvious answer is maintaining your knives level of sharpness. Contrary to popular belief, even the most durable, sharp knives require regular sharpening to function properly. Sharpening your knives will allow your set to last for years to come, and will make your cooking process that much more efficient.
A sharp blade is an efficient one. By sharpening your knives preemptively, you’re cutting down on future cooking time leaving you more time to do what you love. Moreover, in cases of cooking, sharper blades lead to more even cuts which make for more balanced dishes.
You may think a duller blade is safer since it doesn’t cut as efficiently, but that is actually incorrect. In fact, you are far more likely to cut yourself using a dull blade since you have to use a lot more power to achieve a simple cut. Sharpen your blades regularly to protect yourself from cuts.
Here are some general tips to get you started with your new knife sharpener.
As I’ve learned, even the sharpest, best blades need to be sharpened every once and a while. A mark of a good cook is the use of high-quality blades, but the mark of a great one is the use of a high-quality sharpener.
You’re bound to see noticeable results even after the first use of your manual sharpener. With a little time and patience, you’ll have your dullest blades working like new again.
Hopefully, this guide gave you a little bit more insight as to how to use your sharpener and care for it properly. With any of these 10 great options, you’re bound to have restored knives in no time at all.
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Knife Buzz offers independent product reviews on a wide range of knives used in the kitchen, home, outdoors and at work.
Edwin and the Knife Buzz Team are passionate about reviewing knives and we cater to a targeted audience that needs independent advice before purchasing.
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