Best Knife Sharpeners in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 5, 2024
All of us use knives for different needs on a daily basis and we all sometimes need to have them sharpened. For this purpose, having a knife sharpener in the household is a good thing. We've reviewed 5 best knife sharpeners to help you choose the one you need. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE
BEST FOR
DESIGN
SHARPENING ANGLE
SHARPENING STAGES
Warranty
 
PROS

100% diamond abrasives ensure incredibly effective performance and durability of Chef's Choice knife sharpener. The built-in clean/dress system provides easy stropping/polishing discs maintenance.

CONS
This premium quality knife sharpener is sold at a rather high price.
OUR VERDICT

Made for excellent sharpening performance, Chef's Choice knife sharpener is a wonderful option for both seasoned and novice cooks, able to provide all knife types with a perfectly sharp fine edge without breaking a sweat.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Electric knife sharpener
BEST FOR
Straight edge and serrated blades, Single-sided and Double-Bevel knives, Chef's knives, Santoku knives, Bread knives, Hunting knives, Fillet knives, Pocket knives
DESIGN

Patented flexible spring guides, clean/dress system for stopping/polishing disks, removable clean-out cover with a magnet

SHARPENING ANGLE
15º, 20º
SHARPENING STAGES

1. Asian knives sharpening (15º angle)

2. European knives sharpening (20º angle)

3. Stropping/Polishing

Warranty
3 years
PROS

Equipped with a scissor sharpening groove and a screwdriver sharpening port, this appliance is also capable of maintaining scissors and screwdrivers. With its help, you'll get to keep your scissors sharp and your screwdrivers functional. Two grinding wheels will quickly and easily sharpen both sides of the knives.

CONS

The instruction manual is uninformative. 

OUR VERDICT

The model's versatility extends the range of potential customers. Its functionality allows it to compete with some of the more expensive models. The compact size and a couple of safety features make this product an equally fitting choice for newbies and experienced users.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric

BEST FOR

Kitchen, bread, and sporting knives made from alloy, carbon or stainless steel, screwdrivers, scissors

DESIGN

Two sharpening wheels, scissor sharpening groove, screwdriver sharpening port, suction feet, cord storage

SHARPENING ANGLE

Automatic blade positioning

SHARPENING STAGES

1. Coarse sharpening

2. Fine honing

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The PowerGrip suction cup base allows for a safe and comfortable one-handed use. Backed with a lifetime warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing the product will last for a long time without detempering. 

CONS

The body is made of plastic, which isn't as strong as steel. 

OUR VERDICT

The AnyShart Knife Sharpener strikes a perfect balance between quality and price. The unit ensures a perfect sharpening of most knives of Europe type and takes minimum space in a drawer thanks to its compact footprint. Available in several colour options, there's a model for everyone.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Manual (mechanical) knife sharpener
BEST FOR

Steel knives (including expensive hardened steel knives), knives with serrated blades (bread knives and hunting knives)

DESIGN
PowerGrip suction cup base
SHARPENING ANGLE
20º
SHARPENING STAGES
1. Sharpening and removing burrs
Warranty
Lifetime limited warranty
PROS

The rubberised moulded handle of this model will ensure a comfortable and tight grip, equally suitable for left- and right-handed individuals. The heavy-duty non-slip rubber base will provide safety and stability. It will keep the knife sharpener in place on any flat surface, no matter how much force you're willing to apply.

CONS

As it is a manual sharpener, the model requires a bit of force and effort. 

OUR VERDICT

The Lantana Smart Sharp may not look like it but this professional knife sharpener won't just keep your knives sharpened but also honed and polished. And unlike those bulky appliances, it won't take away your countertop space and will easily fit in a drawer.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Manual

BEST FOR

Straight-edged steel kitchen knives and wide serrated knives, including knives with hardened steel blades

DESIGN

Shockproof plastic housing with high-grade diamond rods, hardened Tungsten carbide plates, ceramic stone rods, rubberised handle, heavy-duty non-slip rubber base

SHARPENING ANGLE

20º

SHARPENING STAGES

1. Preparing

2. Sharpening

3. Honing

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The shockproof plastic housing is as sturdy as it is practical and convenient, minimising vibrations and keeping the sharpener nice and still. In addition to different kitchen and sporting knives, this sharpener is also very much suitable for flat-bladed screwdrivers.

CONS

You'll have to sharpen carefully without applying too much pressure. 

OUR VERDICT

The Kabalo Two-Stage Sharpener will let you always keep your knives in a top-notch condition. It will allow you to hone and define the edges. The model is safe and simple. The price is nice and it doesn't consume too much energy.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric 

BEST FOR

Kitchen and sporting knives (made of alloy, stainless steel, and carbon), also suitable for flat-bladed screwdrivers

DESIGN

Shockproof plastic housing, non-slip suction cup feet, two grit containers on the bottom

SHARPENING ANGLE

Universal sharpening angle

SHARPENING STAGES

1. Sharpening

2. Honing and defining edges

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

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Chef's Choice 1520 Angle Select

Perfect for Everyone!

What features do we all expect from a perfect knife sharpener? Ease of use, efficient performance, and functionality, yeah? Chef's Choice Electric Knife Sharpener has all of them! It works for perfect sharpening of both Asian and European/North American knives (15º and 20º respectively). Asian knives are sharper, whereas European/North American knives are more robust and durable. Patented flexible spring guides of this electric sharpener ensure the most precise sharpening of all blade types. Just pull the blade smoothly several times through the slot and get it sharp to perform the tasks you need!

Owing to 15º (first stage) and 20º (second stage) angle sharpening, you can create a double level 'Gothic Arch' edge to make your knives even more durable and long-lasting. Moreover, the 100% diamond abrasive throughout guarantees against the detempering (softening) of blades as no heat is generated, resharpening knives in less than a minute.

All in all, the Chef's Choice knife sharpener provides you with an opportunity to sharpen all knives in your household in mere seconds and maintain their sharpness at all times. It combines the best features, making it a smart choice both for seasoned chefs using a ton of different knives and for regular users.

Review of Chef's Choice 1520 Angle Select Electric Knife Sharpener

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £191.25
Stock In stock
ASIN B001CA5LZ6

 

VonShef 13/247

Not Just a Knife Sharpener

For the most part, we like this VonShef sharpener for its speed and versatility. Oddly enough, any knife sharpener will allow you to keep your knives in a top-notch condition. But this model can do a bit more than that. Equipped with a scissor sharpening groove and a screwdriver sharpening port, this appliance is also capable of maintaining scissors and screwdrivers. With its help, you'll get to keep your scissors sharp and treat the flat tip issue that often plagues old screwdrivers.

The speed comes from the appliance's 60W of power. It will take the model no more than a few seconds to make the bluntest knife sharper than it ever was. Now, that's the first stage. Stage two will complete the sharpening process. It will hone and polish the blade to a precise, smooth edge.

VonShef 13/247 doesn't just work with kitchen and bread knives but also with sporting knives made from alloy, carbon, or stainless steel. This fact alone already makes this appliance a great choice for hunters and knife enthusiasts.

This knife sharpener isn't just highly versatile and functional but also a rather convenient kitchen appliance. Featuring 17 x 17 x 13.6 centimetres in overall dimensions, it doesn't require a whole lot of space. The cord storage compartment makes the model more portable than most of its peers. And the non-slip suction feet will keep the appliance in place and prevent any potential accidents.

Again, there's a lot to like about this instrument from VonShef. The outstanding versatility extends the range of potential customers. The appliance's functionality allows it to compete with some of the more expensive models. The compact size and a couple of safety features make this product an equally fitting choice for newbies and experienced users.

Review of VonShef 13/247 Electric Two Stage Knife Sharpener with Screwdriver Sharpening Port & Scissor Groove

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £22.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01FMLJTJO

 

AnySharp Knife Sharpener Classic

Good Things Come In a Small Package

AnySharp products are highly appreciated by users worldwide for their high quality and portability. With that in mind, this knife sharpener is an awesome user-friendly appliance that boasts a winning combination of compact size and high functionality. It is very portable (only 6 cm high) yet efficient. You can be sure that this little knife sharpener will do a great job, sharpening all knives edges to suit a variety of cutting tasks. The model can even handle serrated knives. Pre-set at 20 degrees, this sharpener gives you a consistently optimal edge time after time. Note that its portable size provides for its easy storage since the item can fit in most cupboard drawers. In addition, it looks great and takes minimum space on any worktop.

In terms of construction, what separates this model from less impressive manual knife sharpeners is the PowerGrip suction cup base. Thanks to this base, you can sharpen knives with one hand without worrying that this thing might move. Appearance-wise, aside from the standard blue notion, you can also go with silver, matching different kitchen interiors. So, provided you want something that not only sharpens all kinds of knives but also removes burrs, the AnySharp Knife Sharpener should fit you to a tee.

Review of AnySharp Knife Sharpener Classic with PowerGrip, Blue

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £10.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B001DXVL6K

VIDEO
AnySharp Global World's Best Knife Sharpener
 

Lantana Smart Sharp

A More Compact Option

The Lantana Smart Sharp isn't this bulky, massive appliance that will take away a lot of your countertop space. It's a simple tool that will let you keep your knives in a tip-top condition. That said, we wouldn't recommend banking too much on that simplicity.

The rubberised moulded handle of this model will ensure a comfortable and tight grip, equally suitable for left- and right-handed individuals. The heavy-duty non-slip rubber base will provide more than enough safety and stability. It will keep the knife sharpener in place on any flat surface, no matter how much force you're willing to apply. Of course, since this is a manual sharpener, you will have to apply quite a bit of force in order to get the most out of it, but that's to be expected from a manual instrument.

For a simple tool, the model is surprisingly versatile. Naturally, it works perfectly fine with straight-edged steel kitchen knives. But it is just as good at keeping those wide serrated knives (also known as bread knives) sharpened and honed, including those knives that feature hardened steel blades.

The shockproof plastic housing with high-grade diamond rods will protect the knife sharpener from drops. On top of that, there are also the hardened tungsten carbide plates and ceramic stone rods that will extend the model's service life by a solid margin.

All in all, the Lantana Smart Sharp may not look like it but this professional knife sharpener won't just keep your knives sharpened but also honed and polished. And unlike those bulky appliances, it won't take away your countertop space and will easily fit in a drawer.

Review of Lantana Smart Sharp Professional 3 Stage Manual Knife Sharpener

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £11.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B010O4OCCS

 

Kabalo Two Stage

Hone and Define the Edges

The Kabalo Two-Stage Sharpener isn't the overall best model on the list but the product definitely has its moments. The unit is rugged and robust, you shouldn't be able to damage it one way or the other. The shockproof plastic housing is as sturdy as it is practical and convenient, minimising vibrations and keeping the sharpener nice and still. The non-slip feet with suction cups are there as well.

The best part here is probably the model's universal sharpening angle. It is able to carefully sharpen the knife without damaging the blade. Just make sure you're following the "carefully" suggestion without applying too much pressure. The model will let you work with kitchen and sporting knives as long as they are made from alloy, stainless steel, and/or carbon. As a nice little bonus, this sharpener is also very much suitable for flat-bladed screwdrivers.

All in all, the model is safe and simple. The only part that isn't necessarily simple but a welcome addition to the overall package is these two grit containers on the bottom that will be able to collect much more trash than the standard trays.

Simply put, the Kabalo Two-Stage Sharpener will let you always keep your knives in a top-notch condition. It will allow you to hone and define the edges. The model is safe and simple. The price is nice and it doesn't consume too much energy.

Review of Kabalo Two Stage Electric Knife Sharpener
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00VPMRTEM

 

What Is a Knife Sharpener?

All cutting tools need care and they must be sharpened one day. We often face this problem when our knives get blunt and, as a result, show poor performance when we need to cut meat, vegetables, and other food. Moreover, you may also have various camping, hunting or cooking knives that require rejuvenation, too. Thus, having a good knife sharpener is surely a must. Some knife sharpeners require certain experience while others are quite easy to use. Our knife sharpener review will help you choose the best model according to your needs.

Furthermore, you may need such useful devices as a food scale and a cooking thermometer in your kitchen.

What Features to Compare

Type and Features

First of all, you need to pay attention to the type and features of a knife sharpener. There are several types of knife sharpeners. Electric and mechanical knife sharpeners, as well as whetstone models, are good for everyday use.

  • Electric sharpeners usually have a trapezoid or rectangular body with several grooves for blade sharpening. Each groove includes disks that are made of various abrasive materials. The discs rotate, thereby whetting and polishing the blades. As customers claim, such knife sharpeners are very easy to use, yet, they should stand on a table firmly. Moreover, some knife sharpeners collect metal filings left after the sharpening. This beneficial option will really save your time!
  • Mechanical (manual) knife sharpeners have also got a wide range of options: replaceable abrasive stones, adjustable sharpening angle, etc. Mechanical knife sharpeners are great space-savers and can be used even during campings or trips. However, you need to get the hang of using such sharpeners. Thanks to convenient handles and rubber feet, these sharpeners will not slip out of your hands.
  • As for the whetstones, they have been used to sharpen the knives for ages. Naturally, their shape is being changed over time. They may look like a bar or disc. Some of them are designed for sharpening, while others are developed for polishing and honing. The quality of sharpening with whetstones completely depends on your skills. However, the whetstone knife sharpeners are considered to be the most unpretentious appliances. Note that the measuring marks and other helpful tips will facilitate the use.

Sharpening Angle

The sharpening angle determines the quality of sharpening. It is advised to keep the sharpening angle preset by a manufacturer. Furthermore, be mindful of the material and purpose of your knife so as to extend its life. The sharpening angle of 15°-22° is believed to be suitable for kitchen knives, while 22°-30° angle is perfect for grinding hunting and multi-purpose knives. You can also find some knife sharpeners with an adjustable sharpening angle which is a useful feature. Just imagine, you can change the angle of sharpening anytime! But keep in mind that the less it is, the sharper and more fragile the blade will be. The big sharpening angle is typical for heavy-duty knives made of high-strength steel (for example, meat cleavers or bone choppers).

Sharpening Stages

The number of sharpening stages depends on the material and condition of your knife. The whetting of metal knives includes the following stages:

  • At the first stage, the rough sharpening eliminates the damages and defects. At this stage, carbide is usually used as an abrasive material.
  • The second stage involves the polishing and refinement carried out by ceramic whetstones or Arkansas stones (the pieces of microcrystalline quartz quarried from open pits in Arkansas State). Once this stage is completed, the blade of your knife becomes smooth and shrill.

Considering the abrasive material, it may be natural or artificial. The latter is manufactured especially for sharpening needs, and artificial materials are considered to be more durable. But if you have knives with serrated or ceramic blades, you will need a special sharpener for them.

Sources:

1. Joe Talmadge The Sharpening FAQs from the Usenet News Group rec.knivesKnifeCenter.

2. Knife Sharpener Buying Guide, eBay. March 3, 2016.

3. Types of Knives SharpenersBuck Knives.

4. Knife Sharpening, Buck Knives.

5. Blade, Wikipedia. November 27, 2016.

6. How to Sharpen Kitchen KnivesCook's Illustrated. March 9, 2016.

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