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A knife in the kitchen is the main working tool of any cook, whether it be a professional or a housewife. It depends on him the speed of cooking and the aesthetics of their presentation. To extend the “life” of the tool, special devices are used – sharpeners. How to choose the right one and which ones should you pay attention to? We will provide answers to all questions below.
How to choose the best option
Device design type
When choosing a sharpener, not only the dimensions and convenience of the device are taken into account. The most important criterion, however, is the purpose of the product.
Grindstone – the best option for those who want to achieve a perfectly sharpened edge. Such a device is suitable not only for knives, but also for all kinds of hand tools. But it will not work to sharpen scissors or a jagged edge with it. The whetstone requires certain handling skills and a special holder for convenient and safe operation.
Musat is a simple, convenient option for regular dressing of metal knives. Outwardly, it resembles a file with a round section. It can be ceramic, steel or diamond. Serrated models work great on serrated blades. But Musat is not able to cope with a seriously blunt edge.
Mechanical sharpener – equipped with working discs with a fixed sharpening angle. Ideal for processing a standard set of knives with a minimum of effort and skill. On sale, sometimes there are modifications with grinding discs for ceramics and serrated products.
Grinder – presented in the form of a thrust machine with a whetstone or abrasive. A more productive variation of a mechanical sharpener – allows you to adjust the sharpening angle. Suitable for both knives and hand tools. Requires special skills – more suitable for professionals.
electric sharpener – an efficient device with a built-in motor. The design is equipped with special abrasive wheels. The optimal sharpening angle is set during production. As a rule, an electric sharpener is equipped with strong, durable abrasives – made of corundum or diamond-coated metal. Ideal for high volume work, severely dull blades and particularly hard steel.
Type of abrasive
For sharpeners, 4 groups of abrasives are used:
Арканзас – natural stone mined in the US state of the same name. Removes a small layer of metal. Used as a polisher – brings the cutting edge to perfect smoothness.
Ceramics – removes a small amount of metal. Ideal for finishing and polishing.
Carbides – quite aggressive – removes a large layer of metal – allows you to restore a blunt product in 3-4 pulls.
Diamonds – effective, wear-resistant abrasive. Like carbide, it is aggressive – it quickly removes a layer of metal from the cutting edge.
Blade type
The first and one of the most important points is the type of knife that the device will process. Products with double-sided sharpening and a straight blade are easy to process with any sharpening device. A blade with one-sided sharpening requires a special approach – a musat, a grindstone, a device with the ability to regulate working elements, or a special electric sharpener for Asian knives are best suited.
For a knife with a one-sided wavy edge, a diamond or ceramic stone of a suitable diameter is optimal. For knives with notches (serrated), a manual sharpener with a triangular whetstone or an electric sharpener with a groove for dressing such products is suitable.
Rating of the best knife sharpeners
Nomination | Place | Name of product | Price |
---|---|---|---|
The best mechanical knife sharpeners | 1 | Chef’s Choice CC464 | 4 300 ₽ |
2 | Joseph Joseph Rota 10048 | 2 100 ₽ | |
3 | Precious Tescoma | 1 300 ₽ | |
4 | Rondell RD-323 | 1 200 ₽ | |
5 | FISKARS Xsharp | 930 ₽ | |
The best electric knife sharpeners | 1 | Chef’s Choice CC220W | 7 700 ₽ |
2 | Hatamoto EDS-H198 | 7 500 ₽ | |
3 | Zigmund & Stein ZKS-911 | 4 150 ₽ | |
4 | Hotter HX-1099 | 2 150 ₽ | |
5 | Sakura SA-6604 | 2 100 ₽ | |
The best knife sharpeners from Aliexpress | 1 | NUOTEN ND-E01 | 1 020 ₽ |
2 | MYVIT GLKS-2 | 550 ₽ | |
3 | LMETJMA KC0193 with 3 degrees of sharpening | 300 ₽ |
The best mechanical knife sharpeners
Chef’s Choice CC464
Rating: 4.9
The mechanical sharpener from the eminent American brand is small in size, has an ergonomic handle and rubberized coating on the legs for safe and comfortable use. The two-stage product is characterized by high-performance working discs: they are coated with a dense layer of 100% diamond abrasive. It provides a long service life of the grinder and a high result of processing the blades.
Chef’s Choice CC464 is suitable not only for standard metal products, but also for axes, chef’s, hunting and santoku knives, scissors, it will perfectly cope with the ceramic edge.
Advantages
Versatility of use (suitable for any blades – including ceramics and serrated edges);
100% diamond abrasive coating on working discs;
rubberized legs;
Ergonomic handle.
Disadvantages
High price.
Joseph Joseph Rota 10048
Rating: 4.8
The compact handheld device is distinguished not only by its modest dimensions and low weight (only 150 g), but also by excellent ergonomics. The knife sharpener fits comfortably in the hand thanks to the non-slip coating, it is equipped with a rotating cover, which during the operation of the device acts as a handle and lever. The latter presses the appliance into the countertop (in the open position) and saves space when stored in the cabinet (in the closed position).
The product is made of several materials: the body is made of steel combined with high-quality plastic, the abrasive part is made of ceramic coating. The design has two slots – for coarse and fine-grained abrasive. To maintain the performance properties of the sharpener, it is enough to periodically clean it with a damp cloth.
Advantages
Excellent ergonomic design (comfortable to hold when working);
Reliable non-slip base;
Compact dimensions;
Light weight;
Suitable for all stainless steel products.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for ceramic and serrated blades.
Precious Tescoma
Rating: 4.7
A practical, budget model of a sharpener, it will perfectly cope with any metal blades, including those with notches. Tescoma Precioso is an ideal “traveling” option: it is convenient to take it with you due to its compactness and light weight, and high-quality working discs will cope with the main task without any problems – they will create a perfectly sharpened cutting edge. The two-stage mechanical device consists of two sections: carbide is designed for rough sharpening, and ceramic allows you to perfectly sharpen the cutting edge.
Advantages
Suitable for serrated products;
Small size;
Ergonomic handle;
Democratic price.
Disadvantages
No anti-slip coating;
Not suitable for ceramic blades.
Rondell RD-323
Rating: 4.6
The compact product is ideal for processing all types of blades (both household and professional models) with a classic edge. The sharpener has a small size, equipped with an ergonomic handle with a rubberized coating for ease and safety of operation. The design is made of durable plastic that can withstand significant physical impact.
The two-level mechanical instrument has an angle range of 14 to 240: this ensures a quality result and minimal abrasion of the blades. The sharpener is equipped with an additional section for processing scissors. The working part is represented by ceramic stones with a diamond coating, which ensures a long service life of the sharpener and the quality of blade processing.
Advantages
Versatility (suitable even for serrated knives);
Diamond coating – increases the life of the knife;
Ergonomic handle with rubberized coating;
Compact dimensions.
Disadvantages
Not detected.
FISKARS Xsharp
Rating: 4.5
A high-quality mechanical sharpener model is a convenient solution for home and garden. The device is equipped with a ceramic abrasive (an excellent addition to garden tools). The simple, convenient design has an understandable sharpening mechanism: the operation is simple and fast – no need to look for a comfortable position for the knife. It is enough to make a few movements on the abrasive (made of ceramics) and get a perfectly sharpened cutting edge.
The model has compact dimensions, low weight, it copes without problems not only with knives, but also with hand tools like an ax. The bottom of the case is equipped with a special anti-slip lining for the convenience and safety of using the product. FISKARS Xsharp has a universal purpose: it is also suitable for ceramics.
Advantages
Compact dimensions;
Optimum sharpening angle;
Suitable for ceramics;
Easy to clean device;
Anti-slip lining on the case;
Democratic price.
Disadvantages
No section for scissors;
Not suitable for serrated knives.
The best electric knife sharpeners
Chef’s Choice CC220W
Rating: 4.9
One of the best grinders for home use. The brainchild of the American brand creates the perfect cutting edge for any knife (including serrated ones). The device has a 40W motor. The hybrid model combines the best qualities of a mechanical and electrical device.
The first stage of processing is electrical (sharpening with 100% diamond-coated discs), the second stage is mechanical (finishing, straightening and polishing with a fine-grained disc). Such a processing scheme allows you to achieve an ideal result and extend the operational life of the knife. Particularly noteworthy are the compact dimensions of the device and its low weight (about 1180 g), taking into account its partial mechanization.
Advantages
Hybrid system for ease of operation;
Suitable for serrated knives;
Automatic control of the correct sharpening angle;
100% diamond abrasive.
Disadvantages
The impossibility of replacing the grinding elements;
No section for scissors.
Hatamoto EDS-H198
Rating: 4.8
Thanks to its impressive dimensions and legs with a special rubberized coating, the sharpener is perfectly stable on any work surface (even slippery). The device has a fixed sharpening angle of 150: this allows you to simplify the process of processing the product and polishing the result without the need for additional settings. Hatamoto EDS-H198 is ideal for knives with a sharp edge.
The electric sharpener is equipped with a 60 W motor: this is enough for fast and high-quality sharpening of even very dull blades. The base of the device is made of steel abrasive coated with diamond coating – it allows you to process any model of ceramic knives with high quality. The sharpener has a convenient capacious tray for shavings formed during the processing of a knife. You can clean it with a few simple steps.
Advantages
High power;
Suitable for ceramics;
Rubberized legs for structural stability;
Convenient chip tray.
Disadvantages
No section for scissors.
Zigmund & Stein ZKS-911
Rating: 4.7
The device for bilateral symmetrical sharpening is equipped with a fairly powerful motor (60 W), which provides fast and high-quality processing of blades (in 10-120 s). Forced air cooling is built into the design, prolonging the life of the engine. Working discs made of corundum on a bakelite (ceramic) bond can easily cope with blades made of any metal.
Processing is carried out in three stages (working range – from 15 to 200): sharpening first on a coarse abrasive, then on a medium one and finally on a grinding one in a couple of passes. This results in a perfectly sharpened cutting edge. The body of the sharpener is made of impact-resistant ABS plastic, which reliably protects the internal structural elements.
Advantages
Universality of the model (suitable for any metal);
Powerful motor for fast and high-quality work;
Noiselessness;
Engine cooling system;
Housing made of impact-resistant plastic;
Democratic price.
Disadvantages
No section for scissors.
Hotter HX-1099
Rating: 4.6
This compact, handy appliance will become a real lifesaver in the kitchen for any housewife: this is an excellent option for quickly sharpening dull blades. The two-level device is equipped with a small motor and two working discs with a professional sharpening angle. They are able to cope with absolutely any type of blades (including ceramic and made of Damascus steel).
The abrasive of the device is made of ceramic and coated with diamond coating, which provides a high-quality result (sharpening, grinding) and prolonging the life of the workpieces. A big plus is the ability to replace the working element (grinding block).
Advantages
Diamond coating;
Suitable for ceramic knives;
Replaceable sharpening block;
Compact size, light weight (about 900 g);
Democratic price.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for serrated knives and scissors.
Sakura SA-6604
Rating: 4.5
The two-stage electric knife sharpener is equipped with a powerful motor (120 W), which allows you to return even a very dull blade to its former sharpness in a few seconds. For the convenience of the user, the sharpening angle is controlled automatically by means of 4 special guides. To increase the safety of operation, the device is equipped with special suction cups that ensure reliable fixation of the structure on the working surface.
The process of processing the blade involves rough sharpening and fine processing (polishing). Sakura SA-6604 is ideal for all metal blades (including steel, stainless steel, carbon alloys, etc.). The device is presented in several colors: black, a combination of white with gray, orange, green, blue.
Advantages
High power ensures the speed of work;
Automatic adjustment of the sharpening angle;
Suitable for blades made of any type of metal.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for scissors and serrated knives.
The best knife sharpeners from Aliexpress
NUOTEN ND-E01
Rating: 4.9
The compact model of the electronic sharpener with a non-standard ergonomic design is equipped with two working ceramic discs for sharpening scissors and knives. The convenient handle provides comfortable and safe operation of a product. The sharpener comes with a plastic nozzle, power supply and instructions in Chinese and English.
The device provides accurate sharpening of the blades, but consumers note that the motor is rather weak for fast work (power is 8 watts). Although the design is compact, the device works quietly and efficiently. Of particular note is the quality of the packaging – the manufacturer took care of this moment: the likelihood of damage to the parcel during the delivery process is minimal.
Advantages
Silent work;
Compact dimensions;
High-quality sharpening of blades;
Packing quality.
Disadvantages
Low power;
Not suitable for ceramic and serrated blades.
MYVIT GLKS-2
Rating: 4.8
An easy-to-use mechanical model of a sharpener with a neat design will organically fit into any interior and become a real helper in the kitchen. Sturdy case, ergonomic handle, rubberized base – all this ensures a secure fixation of the product on the table top and safe operation of the device.
A feature of the MYVIT GLKS-2 knife sharpener is a removable sharpening block. If desired, the consumer can choose a product in a set with a spare cassette – a very convenient option. A nice bonus from the manufacturer – the assortment includes several color options (red, yellow, white and black). The device is recommended for metal blades.
Advantages
Possibility of replacement of the grinding block;
rubberized base;
Ergonomic handle.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for scissors and serrated blades.
LMETJMA KC0193 with 3 degrees of sharpening
Rating: 4.7
A small (weight – 150 g) ergonomic model of a mechanical type sharpener is ideal for quick and efficient sharpening of any metal knives. The strong case is made of shock-resistant plastic. The convenient handle increases safety of work with the device, the rubberized basis reliably fixes a sharpener on a table-top.
LMETJMA KC0193 is equipped with a removable block with three sections for sharpening blades: the first disc is for rough processing; the second is a medium-grained whetstone and the third is for polishing a sharpened blade. The consumer has the opportunity to order a spare grinding block. The range includes several bright colors. The device is recommended for metal blades.
Advantages
Possibility of replacement of the grinding block;
rubberized base;
Ergonomic handle;
Suitable for scissors;
Reliable packaging.
Disadvantages
Not suitable for ceramic and serrated blades.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.