Dull knives are any chef's worst nightmare. If you are preparing a meal by cutting up slippery ingredients, a dull knife can be hazardous to handle. Using the best electric knife sharpener can help make your kitchen burdens lighter while giving the blade an aesthetically pleasing edge.
The best electric knife sharpener packs numerous functions in one convenient device. The right product can save you the money you would have used to buy diamond rods, razor strops and whetstones. Also, electric knife sharpeners help you repair dents and scratches, hone the tip, polish it, sharpen, convert and deburr a jagged edge.
Using the best electric knife sharpener will significantly cut down the time it takes to get your knives ready. Also, such a device should work on different types of knives for optimum versatility.
We have compiled five options to help you pick the best electric knife sharpener. Also, check out the essential factors to consider if you're on the market for these devices.
5 Best Electric Knife Sharpeners
1. Best Electric Knife Sharpener: Presto 08800
- Sharpen kitchen and sport knives to a razor-sharp edge fast and economically.
- Easy 2-stage sharpening system for professional results at home on most any non-serrated blade.
- Sapphirite sharpening wheels grind a precisely angled edge then fine hone and polish for a razor-sharp edge.
- Sapphirite sharpening wheels are made of the same ultra-hard material used in professional sharpening shops.
- Precision blade guides hold knife at the perfect angle.
The Presto 08800 Eversharp Electric Knife Sharpener offers premium reliability at an incredibly affordable price. The device has a two-stage sharpening system, one for hard grinding and the other for light polishing. If you want a device that handles dull blades like a champ, the sapphirite sharpening wheels in this model will do the job!
You do not need to estimate the correct position of the knife to get the ideal sharpening angle because the product uses a precision guiding feature for ensuring accurate results. If you have a brand new chef's knife, you begin with stage one for precision grinding to create the angled edge. The next stage is for fine honing to polish your blade to a razor-sharp edge.
Each Presto 08800 unit is 60 watts and consumes 120 volts, so buyers do not need to get a separate adapter for it to work. This product has a limited one-year warranty.
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2. Best Professional-Grade Electric Knife Sharpener: Chef's Choice Trizor XV
- CONVERT YOUR KNIVES: Ideal for converting traditional 20-degree factory edges of household knives into high performance Trizor XV 15-degree...
- DIAMONDS: Advanced stropping stage and 100 percent diamond abrasives for sharpening straight edge and serrated blades
- EASY TO USE: Advanced, patented flexible spring guides for automatic adjustment and accurate control of the sharpening angle and feature...
- THREE STAGES: 3-Stage EdgeSelect sharpening system for optimum versatility in providing the perfect edge for each cutting task. Stages 1 and...
- RAZOR SHARP: The 15 Trizor XV combines the strength and durability of the Trizor edge with the flawless, ultra-sharp 15-degree XV...
The Chef's Choice Trizor XV Electric Knife Sharpener is a professional-grade model that features a three-stage sharpening system. Users get three slots with flexible spring guides that are fixed at a 15-degree angle. Thus, you can place a chef's knife of any length without worrying about whether you slotted it incorrectly.
The diamond abrasives produce little noise while functioning, and it is user-friendly since you need one switch to operate it. The initial two stages are designed for sharpening and honing the blade. The third stage employs a unique flexible abrasive for polishing the sharp knife.
A brand new knife would require about a minute of sharpening for the first time, while resharpening only takes about 10 seconds. The Trizor XV from Chef's Choice offers optimum versatility as it works on most kitchen knives, including double-beveled blades, making it the best electric knife sharpener for professional cooks.
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3. Smith's Edge Pro 5005 Electric Knife Sharpener
- Made in china
- Wheel Grade: Coarse
- Non-Slip Rubber Feet
- Soft-Grip Rubber Handle
Sharpening kitchen knives can sometimes lead to deforming and de-tempering a dull blade if the grinding wheels build up heat. Smith's Edge Pro 5005 Electric Knife Sharpener uses a manual and electric system to handle steel blades with varying lengths and hardness without getting too hot. On the other hand, the manual sharpener has crossed ceramic rods for honing the knife.
Since the sharpening stones are not as hard or durable as sapphirite or diamond abrasives, the two-stage sharpening process will keep your kitchen knives usable for longer.
The user-friendly device comes with a rubber grip handle and rubber feet to ensure it does not slip off the table when using. Also, the knife sharpener is easy to clean and maintain. You can use a damp cloth or a paper towel to remove filings coming from the blades.
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4. Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
- Sharpen every knife you own like a pro quickly, easily and with repeatable, consistent results. Creates the sharpest blades you've ever had!
- Easily Replaceable Abrasive Grit Belts. Comes with premium abrasive belts to meet all your sharpening needs: Coarse (P80), Medium (P220) and...
- Precision sharpening guides provide fast, easy, repeatable and consistent results. Kitchen Knife guide sharpens blades to a 40° angle –...
- Can also be used to sharpen a wide range of bladed shop tools and lawn and garden tools such as Lawn Mower Blades, Garden Pruners, Shears,...
- 1-year warranty – warranty only valid for North American 110v power source applications. Use of power converters for 220V not recommended....
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener is the device you buy if you need to take care of kitchen knives, bladed implements, garden and lawn tools. The product has two angle guides, one with a 50-degree angle for outdoor tools such as hunting knives and pocket knives, while the other 40-degree angle guide is for kitchen knives. The precision guides ensure you get quick and consistent sharpening.
Additionally, the sharpening system has three abrasive grit belts in coarse, medium, and fine rated P80, P220 and P6000, respectively. These easily replaceable options ensure you do not damage or burn the blade while sharpening. The one-year warranty of the handheld grinder is a plus considering the range of applications it offers.
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5. Wusthof Electric Knife Sharpener
- Simple one-touch pre-programmed controls guide you through 3 sharpening stages without the guesswork
- Use the Shape button if your knife is very dull or has damage to repair
- The Sharpen button exposes a fresh cutting edge, monthly
- Use Refine to maintain your edge weekly
- Made in USA with a 3-year warranty; 7 x 4.5 x 5" tall
If you have never used electric knife sharpeners, Wusthof offers the most user-friendly model for beginners. The device comes with programmed control guides to help sharpen your knives. Its intelligent timing system ensures safety and efficiency. It also features three different speeds for the sharpener to cater to straight and serrated blades.
The ease of use of the Wusthof Electric Knife Sharpener extends to maintenance. The device has an internal vacuum system to collect debris from the sharpening process. The three belts have varying levels of grit to help with either sorting dents or polishing your blades.
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Electric Knife Sharpeners
a) Knife Edges
Knives come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their specific uses. A specialized knife may require you to use a certain sharpening process. Before you start going through catalogs of electric knife sharpeners, learn about the differences in edges as these cutting parts make up the blade.
- A straight edge, also known as the flat ground edge, is the most popular edge used in knives. Examples include; peeling, filleting, boning, cleaver, carving, utility, and paring knives.
- Serrated knives have sharpened grooves running along the blade's length. This type of knife is ideal for cutting into much tougher ingredients when preparing a meal. Also, serrated blades can slice without crushing, making them suitable for soft foods. Examples include; tomato knives, steak knives and bread knives.
- A knife with a scalloped edge, also known as a Granton edge, is designed with hollow indents along its side. These features prevent food from latching onto the surface of the blade. If your food items are sticky or wet, these knives will come in handy. Examples include; salmon blades and Japanese-style santoku knives.
- Hollow ground edge blades are originally from Japan, and they are one of the sharpest types of knives. The edge is formed from the blade slimming down from the middle part to make the end impressively sharp. However, the design comes with drawbacks as the knives require frequent maintenance because they are more susceptible to breaking and wearing. Examples include the Nakiri knives.
b) Blade Material
The material used in making the blade determines its longevity, sturdiness and sharpness. Knowing the composition is critical to figuring out the ideal method of sharpening the knife.
1. Stainless Steel
Most knives are made from stainless steel as the material is known for its strength and ability to resist corrosion and rust. The composition of these blades includes iron and carbon with a chromium top layer for a glimmering finish and protection against stains.
Since stainless steel is popular, it can be tricky to find a knife made with the right elements in the alloy. Consequently, the knives might prove challenging to handle when sharpening. Plus, some electric knife sharpeners can damage the blade.
2. Carbon Steel
The carbon steel material combines carbon and iron minus the chromium layer associated with stainless steel-style knives. Although these types are not shiny, their exceptional sturdiness and stiffness ensure you do not have to take them through the sharpening process often.
If you want to use electric sharpeners, it is best to look for one with tough, abrasive materials. The carbon and iron alloy can be challenging to sharpen. Luckily, these blades are low maintenance!
3. Ceramic Knives
Hardened zirconium dioxide is the main material used in ceramic knives. The material has no magnetic properties, is not metallic and may have another coating for enhancing its longevity. Chef's knives are typically made from zirconium dioxide because they are lighter and more hygienic.
A ceramic blade can feature a unique pattern and color details that add a bit of flair to your kitchen knife collection. Unfortunately, the decorations and general fragility of these knives make them especially tricky to maintain. A special sharpening process is critical to ensure you do not damage the knife or ruin the designs.
c) Abrasive Material
The abrasives, or sharpening wheels, are used to grind the knife's edge. The following are the most common abrasives used.
- Diamond abrasives are the hardest and most durable material used in electric sharpeners. You may need to spend more to own a product that offers high-quality sharpening wheels.
- Sapphirite abrasives provide comparable features to diamond abrasives. However, this material is more affordable, and thus, it is popular with manufacturers of electric sharpeners.
Polished ceramic, bonded synthetics, and carbide tungsten are other abrasives used in sharpeners. However, their ability to perform falls far below the level offered by diamond and sapphirite materials.
c) Sharpening Slots Available
The sharpening slots in electric sharpeners have grinding wheels or belts that have varying levels of grit. Typically, most devices will come with two slots: one for repairing damaged or dented knives while making them razor-sharp, and the other one polishes and hones the blade.
Electric knife sharpeners with three sharpening slots allow you to be more precise with maintaining your blades. Nevertheless, these devices are not as durable since they have more moving parts.
d) Safety Features
The best electric knife sharpeners offer ample safety features. For starters, they should have rubber feet to stop them from sliding off the counter while you sharpen your knives. Additionally, they should come with angle guides for keeping the blades in place.
An ETL certification is a plus, and devices that meet this criterion will not work if you insert the blade incorrectly.
Moreover, it would help if you looked out for sharpeners that allow you to grip them while working.
Frequently Asked Questions on Electric Knife Sharpeners
1. What is the best electric knife sharpener on the market?
The best electric knife sharpener is the Presto 08800 as it combines affordability and reliability well. The easy-to-use product gives you two slots for working on most blades. The device's durable sapphirite abrasive is ideal for dealing with dull knives quickly.
2. Are electric knife sharpeners any good?
Electric knife sharpeners are fast, easy to use, and offer two to three options for sharpening different types of blades. They can be more costly than manual ones and will need a power source to function. Still, the right product can be a lifesaver if you do not know how to sharpen your knives manually!
