Knife Sharpeners
After years of using the same kitchen knives for food preparations, most of them have become blunt. Cutting, slicing and chopping virtually anything is now such a pain. Well, buying new ones might be an option but since the knives still look new, sharpening them would make more sense. Well, having some of the the best knife sharpeners ensure that they become razor sharp once again such that using them would then be such a breeze.
Knife Sharpener Buying Guide
1) Type Of Steel
There are many types of steel used in knife sharpeners, from conventional steel to abrasive steel (diamond). Conventional steels do not sharpen the blades but instead realign the knife’s microscopic teeth that are twisted during use, back to their original position thereby making them sharp again. Diamond steels strips a layer of metal on the knife each time thereby making them razor sharp like new.
2) Manual Or Electric?
An electric knife sharpener completes the sharpening task more quickly than using the manual knife sharpener. Unless you’re a professional that knows how to sharpen knives manually, the electric version usually have magnets that "locks" the knives at a precise angle for sharpening. You will get sharpened knives each and every time guaranteed.
3) 1, 2 or 3-Steps?
To razor sharp a knife, 1 step is not enough. A good knife sharpener usually have at least 2, if not 3 different abrasives to get the job done. The first 1-2 steps uses coarse abrasives to shape the cutting edge of the knife while the final step involves using finer abrasives to polish and hone the razor sharpness.
Knife Sharpener Reviews & Ratings
It seems that since not being a popular kitchen tools, some of the best knife sharpener manufacturers such as Accusharp, Chef’s Choice, Henckels, Presto and Wusthof do not have a comprehensive line of models to attract buyers. Moreover since there’s no expert reviewers covering this tool, we had to rely on consumer reviews and satisfaction to determine the best knife sharpeners.
Best Knife Sharpener (Electric)
Knife Sharpener Reviews #1: Ever reliable with impressive knife sharpener reviews from users is the best rated Chef’s Choice M130 Professional Knife-Sharpening Station. Sharpen all knives, be it straight or serrated with this Chef’s Choice knife sharpener to make them razor sharp. This best knife sharpener from Chef’s Choice features 3-stage sharpening technology to get "better than factory" sharpness for all knives. Stage 1 - 100% diamond abrasive sharpens edge. Stage 2 - shaves edge with microscopic teeth to give more "bite". Stage 3 - disk polishes edge to sharpness.
Knife Sharpener Reviews #2: Equally great with superb reviews from satisfied knife users is the top rated Presto 08800 Pro EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener. Make blunt knives razor sharp with this Presto knife sharpener. Uses rotating Sapphirite grinding wheel technique to get the job done. Employs 2-stage system. Stage 1 - ground and sharpen edge. Stage 2 - hone edge to razor sharpness. Blade guide hold knives at precise angle for optimal sharpness.
Best Knife Sharpener (Manual)
Knife Sharpener Reviews #3: Based on excellent consumer reviews, the best rated is Henckels Twinsharp Knife Sharpener. It does not sharpen knife per se but this Henckels knife sharpener realigns the knife’s steel to get back to the shape and sharpness as it once was prior to being blunt after repeated uses. Employs steel and ceramic wheels that get the job done but may shaves off bits of steel from the edge though.
Resources: Knife Sharpening (Wikipedia)