Best Knife Sharpeners of 2023

best knife sharpeners

Last Updated on February 28, 2022

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Top 10 Best Knife Sharpeners

  1. AnySharp with PowerGrip (Editor’s Choice)
  2. SHAN ZU Sharpening Stone (Luxury Choice)
  3. Wellehomi Professional (Best Value)
  4. Lantana Smart (Best Manual)
  5. Longzon Professional 4 Stage 
  6. SHARPAL 191H
  7. PRO Manual Tungsten
  8. Lansky PS-MED01
  9. Joseph Joseph 10048 Rota (Best Folding)
  10. Andrew James Silver (Best Electric)

Regardless of how sharp your knives are when new, over time, they gradually lose their edges. But, with the best knife sharpener, you can keep them in tip-top condition before they become dull or blunt. Sharpening your blades not only keeps you ready for any cooking action but also prevents your knives from having nicks and chippings.

So, whether you’re a professional chef or a kitchen newbie, the best knife sharpener is an essential tool to have. If you’re not sure what knife sharpener you need, then these knife sharpeners reviews are for you.

Here are our top ten picks for the best knife sharpener in the UK stores have to offer. This knife sharpener list cuts across all your wants and needs for Japanese-style knives, bread knives, European knives, and general kitchen knives.

How we Compared Knife Sharpeners

knife sharpeners collage

To find the right knife sharpeners we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Material
  • Types of knife sharpeners
  • Sharpening angles and stages
  • Time
  • Grit
  • Style
  • Usage
  • Safety features
  • User-friendliness

Our team independently examined and compared hundreds of products to help satisfy different needs. We spent our time researching knife sharpeners and consulting customer reviews to ultimately bring you what, in our opinion, are the best options on the market right now.

To find out more about our editorial process, take a look here.

Knife Sharpener Reviews

AnySharp with PowerGrip (Editor’s Choice)

If you’re looking for the best knife sharpener in the UK, then the AnySharp PowerGrip is an excellent choice. Not only does this kitchen appliance boasts high functionality, but also it comes in a compact size that makes it portable friendly.

This knife is sharper with normal and serrated blades, a tungsten carbide grinding tool, and 20 degrees preset sharpening angle. Additionally, this knife sharpener comes with a suction cup that is located at its bottom. This feature allows one-hand operation when using this sharpener on a rough surface.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the AnySharp PowerGrip knife sharpener can be stored easily to its compact size of 60 x 60mm. Lastly, this knife sharpener comes with a user manual that is easy to read for both professional and novice users.

However, it is important to note that it can be challenging to use, especially if it is your first time. Also, if not placed properly, the suction may slip.

Pros:

  • It comes with a PowerGrip suction pad base for safe use
  • Easy to use with the included one-handed option
  • It has a compact design for easy storage
  • It can quickly sharpen a variety of knives, including serrated knives
  • A usage guide is provided

Cons:

  • Some users may find it quite challenging to get used to the right sharpening angle
  • It may turn a single-edged blade into a double
  • The suction may slip if not placed on an airtight flat surface

SHAN ZU Sharpening Stone (Luxury Choice)

If you’re looking for the best knife sharpener that can sit well with different types of knives, then the SHAN ZU Sharpening Stone is a solid option. With 1000 coarse grit for sharpening and 6000 grit for polishing, this sharpening stone is the perfect tool you can use to perfect the art of honing.

The SHAN ZU sharpening stone also comes with a 15-degree angle guide that helps maintain a proper angle when sharpening and polishing knives. Furthermore, this knife sharpener boasts a silicone frame with a bamboo base. Its anti-skid silica gel frame holds the whetstone in place while it’s in use on a flat surface.

On the flip side, some users may find this traditional knife sharpener hard to use. Also, its bamboo base may be prone to mildew if left with water.

Pros:

  • It has an anti-slip bamboo base and synthetic rubber attached for safe use
  • It comes with an instruction manual
  • It can give a razor-sharp edge without being too harsh on the blade
  • Offers double-sided feature for fine and coarse sharpening
  • Its versatility makes it ideal for sharpening a wide variety of knives

Cons:

  • Getting the right sharpening angle may be quite challenging for some users
  • The sharpening stone may crack after some time
  • It may not be ideal for sharpening high hardened steel knives

Wellehomi Professional (Best Value)

The Wellehomi Professional Knife Sharpener boasts a black and red colour combination. There are two stages of knife sharpening in this sharpener; the coarse setting is used for sharpening, while the fine setting is used for finishing and polishing blades.

The ergonomic handle on this device provides you with a comfortable and easy grip. Additionally, its base is covered with a high-quality TPR mat that prevents it from slipping, thus preventing potential injuries. This also makes it ideal to be used on any flat surface in your kitchen. Furthermore, this knife sharpener is made with quality and durable stainless steel and ABS plastic. The grinding head is also detachable from the handle for easy cleaning.

On the other hand, this knife sharpener may be quite hard to operate. Also, it is not dishwasher-friendly, which is a common complaint among users.

Pros:

  • Has an ergonomic and non-slip design for relentless and safe use
  • Fitted with a detachable grinding head for easy cleaning and sustainable use
  • Features two sharpening stages for coarse sharpening and a fine slot for polishing blades
  • It is easy to use and store
  • It comes with a comfort-grip handle

Cons:

  • This manual sharpener may require a bit of force and effort to operate
  • It may not be dishwasher friendly
  • This sharpener may not be ideal for serrated knives

Lantana Smart (Best Manual)

Stylish and functional are the terms that best describe the Lantana Smart Sharp Knife Sharpener. Not only does it boasts a rubber handle, but it also has three grinders to give extra sharpness to knives.

The diamond grinder on this smart knife sharpener is used for coarse grinding, while the Tungsten carbide is used for sharpening. And the ceramic grinder adjusts and hones the blade. Additionally, it has a rubber base that makes it anti-skid and safe to use in any kitchen space. You can use this knife sharpener to sharpen and hone all kinds of steel knives.

Unfortunately, this knife sharpener also has its disadvantages. Users have a common issue with this kitchen tool: it may not be suitable for Japanese and micro-serrated knives and ceramic knives and scissors.

Pros:

  • Has three sharpening stages function
  • Features a heavy-duty non-slip rubber base for stable and safe use
  • You can use it to sharpen straight edged steel kitchen knives and bread knives
  • This smart, sharp sharpener comes with full instructions and a demonstration video
  • The installed comfort grip makes it suitable for both right- and left-handed users

Cons:

  • It may not be ideal for ceramic knives, scissors, Japanese or micro-serrated knives
  • This manual sharpener may require a bit of force and effort during use
  • It may not be suitable for single-edged blades

Longzon Professional 4 Stage 

Are you looking for a knife sharpener that gets the job done? If yes, then Longzon Professional 4 Stage Manual knife sharpener is an ideal pick! 

Not only does it fill the gap between basic and extreme when it comes to sharpening knives, but also it has a good design and length for handling various knives.

The Longzon Professional 4 Stage Manual sharpener boasts an ergonomic handle and four different sharpening slots that give knives extra sharpness. The diamond grinder on this knife sharpener is used for sharpening, and the ceramic knife sharpener is used to adjust and hone sharp knives.

Furthermore, this knife sharpener comes with a scissors slot that uses tungsten steel to sharpen and polish all kinds of scissors except the serrated ones.

Additionally, this manual sharpener comes with a rubber base that makes it anti-skid and safe to use on any kitchen flat surface. Moreover, the cut-resistant glove that comes with this sharpener helps prevent accidental cuts during the sharpening process. That being said, please note that you can use this knife sharpener with both left and right-handed users.

However, please note that this knife sharpener may not be ideal for serrated blades and ceramic knives. Also, there is a chance it may get faulty after using it for an extended time.

Pros:

  • Features a tungsten steel construction for sharpening a blunt knife
  • It has four sharpening stages
  • It comes with a non-slip rubber base and ergonomic handle for both right- and left-handed use
  • Protection gloves for extra protection are included in the purchase
  • It is easy to use

Cons:

  • Achieving a razor-sharp finish may be quite challenging
  • It may not be ideal for ceramic knives and serrated blades
  • The sharpener may get faulty after sometime

SHARPAL 191H

Versatile and functional are words that best describe the Sharpal 191H kitchen knife sharpener. Not only does this three-stage multipurpose sharpening tool boast of a compact size. This knife sharpener comes with three grinders – coarse carbide used to sharpen and repair a dull or damaged blade.

You can use its fine ceramic grind to hone, polish and remove burrs from a sharpened knife. Bear in mind that you can only use the fine grind to sharpen serrated knife blades. On the other hand, the exclusively designed tungsten carbide allows one to sharpen scissors easily. That being said, it’s important to mention that this knife sharpener is ideal for all kinds of scissors and knives.

However, the Sharpal 191H is limited to single-bevelled edges knives and sewing scissors. Also, it is quite small, which means there may be no room to manoeuvre.

Pros:

  • Offers multipurpose three sharpening stages
  • It has an exclusive design to sharpen scissors
  • Features a compact design for easy storage
  • It comes with a strong suction pad for safe one-handed use
  • Ideal for a wide variety of blades, including serrated blades

Cons:

  • The suction base may become faulty
  • Some users may find it to be quite small, leaving no room to manoeuvre
  • It may lack an instruction manual

PRO Manual Tungsten

If you’re looking for a sleek sharpening device made of quality steel and ABS plastic, then the PRO Sharpener professional knife sharpener is an excellent option. This professional knife sharpener comes with two grinders, tungsten carbide and a ceramic stone to provide the perfect finish for any kitchen knife.

Tungsten is used for coarse grinding, while ceramic is used for fine grinding. It also has a non-slip base and a stainless-steel handle that makes it easy to hold and use. You can use the coarse tungsten setting to sharpen knives used daily and the ceramic rod to sharpen knives that need to cut meat.

However, it is worth noting that this sharpener might be prone to breakage. Also, it is not suitable for sharpening ceramic knives.

Pros:

  • Features two sharpening stages for high performance
  • It has a non-slip base for safe use
  • Installed with diamond cut tungsten carbide for sharpening steel
  • Ideal for both straight and serrated knives
  • Installed with a safe and ergonomic steel handle

Cons:

  • It may be prone to breakage
  • Achieving a razor-sharp finish may be quite challenging
  • It may not be ideal for ceramic knives

Lansky PS-MED01

Say goodbye to dull and blunt knives with the Lansky PS-MED01 knife sharpener! 

This sharpener from the Lansky family boasts a high operation that ensures it meets your knife sharpening needs for a lengthy period. This manual hand-held sharpener is suitable for regular or serrated blades. You can also use it for sharpening gut hooks, hunting and fishing blades.

This knife sharpener comes with tungsten carbide V for sharpening, while the ceramic grinder is used for polishing blades. This four-in-one sharpener consists of small v-shaped plates placed at an optimum angle inside the sharpener’s outer structure.

On the flip side, some users might find this sharpener less convenient since it lacks a finger guard for your finger’s protection in case of an accidental slip while using it. However, its small size makes it portable and storage-friendly.

Pros:

  • Has tungsten carbide and tapered diamond rod features
  • You can also use it to sharpen a wide range of knife blades
  • A four-in-one knife sharpening tool kit is included
  • It comes with an instruction manual
  • Features two integrated magnets for studier knife sharpening

Cons:

  • Achieving razor-sharp results may be quite challenging
  • Some users may find sharpening of shorter blades to be quite a hassle
  • It may take a lot of metal off the blade when sharpening

Joseph Joseph 10048 Rota (Best Folding)

If you’re looking for the best manual sharpener that is ideal for limited storage, then the Joseph Joseph Rota Sharpener is an excellent choice. It is a uniquely designed two-stage sharpener that boasts an easy-grip handle and non-slip feet.

This grey and red manual knife sharpener consist of two grinding wheels– a coarse wheel for sharpening and a fine one for polishing knives. These two abrasives allow one to choose depending on the knifes condition. Moreover, this compact device sits well with most stainless-steel knives. 

However, their sharpening wheel may not be ideal for serrated ceramic blades.

Pros:

  • This hand-held knife sharpener comes with twin ceramic wheels
  • It comes with an easy-grip handle and non-slip base for added sharpening stability
  • It can be ideal for most types of stainless-steel knives
  • Features a unique swivelling design
  • It is easy to use and folds up for storage

Cons:

  • It may not be suitable for serrated or ceramic blades
  • This knife sharpener may lack razor-sharp blade results
  • It might not sit well with blunt knives

Andrew James Silver (Best Electric)

If you’re looking for the best electric knife sharpener UK stores have to offer, then the Andrew James is an outstanding choice. 

Not only is it rugged and robust, but also it comes with shockproof housing that is practical and convenient. With the help of non-sleep feet, the plastic housing minimizes vibrations, and it keeps the knife sharpener still when in use.

This electric sharpener comes with a two-stage grinding process. And it’s suitable for a range of different knives, including stainless steel, alloy and carbon blades. Bear in mind that the coarse grinder creates the razor-sharp edge on a blade while the fine grinder polishes the edge. 

On the flip side, the Andrew James Electric knife sharpener may not sit well with serrated and dull blades.

Pros:

  • It has a non-slip base for stable use
  • Features a two-stage grinding process for ultimate efficiency
  • This electric knife sharpener is simple and safe to use
  • Ideal for a range of knives, including carbon and stainless-steel blades
  • It comes with a manual

Cons:

  • The motor may not withstand the test of time
  • It may not be suitable for serrated knives and dull knives
  • This knife sharpener may lack razor-sharp blade results

What to Consider When Buying a Knife Sharpener

When shopping for the best knife sharpener, it’s important to note that they all have their benefits and drawbacks. However, here are some essential features to keep in mind when selecting your preferred whetstone, manual or electric knife sharpener.

Material

The material used in knife sharpeners will help distinguish it from the rest of the pack. Diamond is the hardest and most durable material, and sharpeners with diamond cutting edges are known to be of superior quality.

A man holding a sharpening tool

Types of Knife Sharpeners

There is a wide variety of knives sharpeners that you can use to either sharpen or hone your knives. However, in our reviews above, we have looked at the most common knife sharpeners readily available in the UK market. They include:

Manual and Electric Sharpeners

Compared to their electric counterparts, manual sharpeners are compact and can be stored easily. when using manual knife sharpeners. Knives are pulled through the grinding wheels at a preset angle, allowing them to restore razor-blade sharpness.

On the flip side, electric sharpeners normally use a rotating wheel to sharpen or carve out a new edge on a knife blade. These sharpeners are not only fast but also they are efficient. moreover, they always come with a preset sharpening angle, so you need not worry about holding your knife at a correct angle

Sharpening Angles and Stages

When selecting the best knife sharpener for your knives, it’s always essential to consider the sharpening angle. Furthermore, it’s always advisable to always retain the sharpening angle preset by the manufacturer. Bear in mind that sharpening angles between 15°-22° are ideal for kitchen knives while 22°-30° sharpening angle is ideal for both multipurpose and hunting knives.

That being said, it’s important to note that some knife sharpeners are equipped with adjustable sharpening angles.

On the other hand, it’s important to consider the different stages of sharpening a knife. Not only does the best knife sharpener curve a new edge on a knife, but it also hones and polishes your blade, giving it a desirable sharpness.

Time

How long do you need to sharpen a knife for? Well, some sharpeners can get the job done quickly. Others can be time-consuming. Before picking a knife sharpener, you have to consider also how much time you’re willing to dedicate to sharpening your knives. Just remember that manual and electric sharpeners get the job done faster when compared to whetstones.

Grit

When shopping for a knife sharpener, it’s always essential to consider the type of grit it comes with. It’s worth mentioning that the level of grit in knife sharpeners determines how much metal is shaved off during the sharpening process.

Bear in mind that whetstones come with two different levels of grit that are located on two different sides of the stone. While manual and electric sharpeners can come with different sharpening settings that have different grit levels. That being said, let’s take a look at the different grit levels of knife sharpeners.

  • Coarse grit -is labelled as 1000 grit for Japanese Waterstones. You can use it to sharpen damaged kitchen knives that have chips or nicks.
  • Medium grit- is labelled as 1000-3000 grit. It is used to sharpen a dull knife that is not damaged.
  • Fine grit-its labelled as 4000-8000 grit. It resembles honing steel, and it’s used to hone the edges of a knife.

Style

Whether you are looking for the best electric knife sharpener in the UK or something more manual, you should consider if you have time to learn a technique before buying anything. Using a whetstone may require some practise before being able to sharpen your knives to a high quality. In comparison, electric sharpeners or those with designated ‘slots’ are a lot easier to use and gain great results.

Usage

The best knife sharpeners come with multipurpose functions. However, some of them are designed for specific knives. Bear in mind that most knife sharpeners may not be suitable for serrated blades. Or, at times, you can recommend them for blades with a particular length. It is worth mentioning that you should sharpen double-sided knives with sharpeners that accommodate both edges. 

That being said, it’s always nice to respect the general rule of thumb; refrain from sharpening Japanese and ceramic knives using pull-through knife sharpeners, but instead use oil or whetstones. This is advisable since the edges of these knives are easily damaged. Furthermore, it is always advisable to consider the bluntness and frequency of usage of your knives when purchasing a knife sharpener.

Safety Features

When shopping for a knife sharpener, it’s always essential to consider the safety features it comes with. These features help protect your fingers from accidental cuts during the sharpening process. Such safety features may include a finger guard or even a protective rubber glove. For electric sharpeners, it’s always essential to look out for one with an automatic shut-off feature that turns of the machine if the motor runs continuously for lengthy periods. Furthermore, it’s advisable to settle for electric sharpeners that come with shockproof housing.

User-Friendliness

Knife sharpening can be an intimidating task for many people. However, if you’re willing to give it a try, it’s always essential to settle for a user-friendly sharpening tool. Bear in mind that the key to maintaining sharp knives is ensuring that you own an easy-to-use knife sharpener. This will allow you to sharpen your knives more often.

a pair of hands smoothening the blades of a chopping tool

That being said, it’s always important to settle for a knife sharpener that comes with an easy-to-use manual if you’re a newbie when it comes to knife sharpening. Also, ensure that the knife sharpener comes with safety features such as finger guard protection to avoid cutting yourself on your first try! On the other hand, if you’re not willing to learn the tricks of using manual sharpeners, your can always settle for electric knife sharpeners since they are straightforward to use.

What’s the Difference Between Honing and Sharpening?

When it comes to knives, honing and sharpening are not interchangeable terms. They’re only different tasks that complement each other when it comes to keeping the blade razor-sharp. Bear in mind that each method may require a specific tool. Sharpening is used to restore the sharpness of a blade by removing metal from the dull blade creating a razor-sharp edge. It’s noteworthy to mention that sharpening may leave nicks and chips on the knife’s blade.

On the other hand, honing is used to smoothen the blade surface. It is ideal for removing any nicks and dents caused by sharpening, thus creating a perfectly tuned blade edge. Moreover, a quick honing ensure that the knife gets a razor-sharp edge.

How to Use a Knife Sharpener

When it comes to manual sharpeners, place the knife’s heel on the groove and apply light pressure, then pull the knife towards you from heel to tip in a firm and steady stroke. Repeat this process until your desired sharpness is achieved. On the flip side, electric knife sharpeners come with manual and user guides that are easy to follow when sharpening knives. So, ensure that you follow the guide that comes with your preferred electric knife sharpener.

Conclusion

We hope that the above knife sharpener reviews will help when you’re shopping for your ideal sharpener. However, if we’re just ad pick an overall winner, we would likely settle for our editor’s choice, the AnySharp with PowerGrip knife sharpener.

Simple, effective, and compact are terms that best describe the AnySharp knife sharpen. Not only does this sharpener boast high functionality, but also it comes in a compact size that makes it storage-friendly.

So if you’re looking for a knife sharpener that sits well with both serrated and normal blades, then this is your to-go option. Furthermore, you can use it to sharpen knives with double-edged knives. So, if you’re looking for the best knife sharpener in the UK, the AnySharp World’s Best Knife Sharpener with PowerGrip is an outstanding choice.

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