Ultimate Electric Knife Sharpener Buying Guide: Keep Your Blades Razor Sharp

Why Every Kitchen Needs an Electric Knife Sharpener

Dull knives make cooking hard. They slip on food. This can hurt you. Sharp knives cut better and make cooking fun.

I got tired of using dull knives in my kitchen. I tried many ways to fix them. Hand sharpening takes too much time. I needed something easy to use.

Electric knife sharpeners changed my cooking life. They make dull knives sharp in just a few minutes. Now I can keep all my knives ready to use.

In this guide, I’ll share what I learned after using many knife sharpeners. I’ll help you pick the best one for your needs.

Quick Look: Top Electric Knife Sharpeners

Model	Best For	Stages	Key Feature	Check Price
Presto 08800 EverSharp	Budget Pick	2	Sapphirite wheels	View on Amazon
Chef’sChoice 15XV EdgeSelect	Premium Choice	3	15° Trizor edge	View on Amazon
Presto 08810 Professional	Versatility	3	Blade thickness selector	View on Amazon
Chef’sChoice AngleSelect	Multiple Angles	3	15° and 20° options	View on Amazon
Chef’sChoice Sharpening Station	All-in-One	3	Sharpening, steeling, stropping	View on Amazon

Why I Started Using Electric Knife Sharpeners

I love to cook. But dull knives made my time in the kitchen hard. I tried using a knife steel. It didn’t work well. I tried stones. They took too much time to learn.

One day, my friend let me try her electric knife sharpener. I was amazed! My old chef’s knife cut like new in just a few minutes. That day, I knew I needed one.

Now I test and use many kinds of knife sharpeners. I want to help you find the best one for your needs.

How Electric Knife Sharpeners Work

Electric knife sharpeners make sharpening easy. They have slots with spinning wheels. These wheels have rough stuff on them. When you pull your knife through, they grind the edge to make it sharp.

Most have two or three stages:

• First stage: Rough grinding to fix very dull knives
• Second stage: Medium grinding to make a good edge
• Third stage: Fine grinding or polishing for the final touch

The best part? They have guides to hold your knife at the right angle. This means you get a perfect edge every time.

Top 5 Electric Knife Sharpeners Reviewed

1. Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

What I Like:

The Presto 08800 is my go-to for friends who want to start sharpening. It’s easy to use and won’t break the bank. I’ve had mine for three years, and it still works great.

This sharpener uses Sapphirite wheels. These are the same stuff pros use. The two-stage system first grinds the edge, then makes it smooth and sharp.

I love the guides on this model. They hold your knife at the perfect angle. No more guessing if you’re doing it right. Just pull the knife through each slot a few times, and you’re done.

My old chef’s knife was so dull it couldn’t cut a ripe tomato. After using the Presto, it sliced through like butter. For under $40, this is hard to beat.

Key Features:

• 2-stage sharpening system
• Sapphirite grinding wheels
• Precision blade guides
• Works on most non-serrated knives
• Compact size for easy storage

Why It’s Great: This is the best choice if you want a good sharpener without spending too much. It’s simple to use and gives great results. I’ve sharpened over 50 knives with mine, and they all came out razor-sharp.

Check Price on Amazon

2. Chef’sChoice 15XV EdgeSelect Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

What I Like:

When I tried the Chef’sChoice 15XV, I was blown away. This is my top pick for serious home cooks. It changed my old 20-degree edge knives into 15-degree razor blades.

The 15-degree edge cuts better than the normal 20-degree edge. I noticed this right away when slicing veggies. My prep time got faster with less effort.

All three stages use diamond abrasives. Diamonds are the hardest stuff on earth. They make your knives very sharp very fast. The third stage adds a polish that helps your edge last longer.

I use this to sharpen my good Japanese knives, and the results are perfect every time. It even works great on serrated knives like bread knives.

Key Features:

• 3-stage sharpening system
• 100% diamond abrasives
• Creates 15-degree Trizor XV edge
• Works on straight and serrated blades
• Spring guides adjust to your knife

Why It’s Great: This is worth the higher price if you have good knives and want the best edge. The 15-degree edge it makes will change how you feel about your knives. My friends always ask me to sharpen their knives after they see how mine cut.

Check Price on Amazon

3. Presto 08810 Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

What I Like:

The Presto 08810 is more advanced than its little brother. I got this one when I needed to sharpen more types of knives. The big feature here is the blade thickness selector.

This selector lets you set the right angle for different knives. Use “thick” for hunting knives, “medium” for chef’s knives, and “thin” for small knives like paring knives.

The three-stage system does a great job. I love the ceramic wheel in the third stage. It gives a final polish that makes knives super sharp. My knives stay sharp longer after using this tool.

I keep this in my kitchen drawer. It’s easy to pull out when I need it. After six months of use, all my knives are sharper than when I bought them.

Key Features:

• 3-stage sharpening system
• Blade thickness selector
• Works on kitchen, sport, and Santoku knives
• Extra-fine ceramic wheel for final honing
• Precision blade guides

Why It’s Great: This is perfect if you have many kinds of knives. The blade selector makes it much more versatile than basic models. I use it for everything from my fish fillet knife to my heavy cleaver.

Check Price on Amazon

4. Chef’sChoice Professional AngleSelect Electric Knife Sharpener

What I Like:

This is my go-to for friends with mixed knife sets. Why? It can sharpen both 15-degree Asian knives and 20-degree Western knives. No need for two different sharpeners.

The diamond abrasives work fast. I fixed my neighbor’s set of dull knives in about 30 minutes. They couldn’t believe how sharp their old knives got.

I really like the precision guides. They take away all the guesswork. Just put your knife in the right slot and pull through. The sharpener does all the hard work.

The white color looks nice in my kitchen. It’s a bit bigger than some models, but the results are worth the counter space.

Key Features:

• AngleSelect for 15° and 20° edges
• 100% diamond abrasives
• Dizor engineered dual-facet edge
• Works on straight and serrated knives
• Precision angle guides

Why It’s Great: If you have both Western and Asian knives, this is your best choice. It’s like having two sharpeners in one. The ability to choose between 15 and 20 degrees makes it very flexible.

Check Price on Amazon

5. Chef’sChoice Professional Sharpening Station

What I Like:

This is the complete package. It doesn’t just sharpen – it also steels and strops your knives. I was curious about this all-in-one approach, so I tried it.

Stage 1 uses diamond abrasives to reshape dull edges. Stage 2 has hardened steel for steeling (like using a honing rod). Stage 3 uses flexible disks for stropping, which gives a super polish.

This three-step process gives edges that last a long time. I noticed my chef’s knife stayed sharp for weeks longer than usual. The unit feels solid and well-made.

The silver finish looks professional. It’s easy to clean, which I like since metal dust can build up over time.

Key Features:

• 3-stage system: sharpening, steeling, stropping
• Works on 20-degree class knives
• Handles both straight and serrated edges
• 100% diamond abrasives in first stage
• Built-in precision angle guides

Why It’s Great: This is perfect if you want an all-in-one solution. It replaces your sharpener, honing steel, and strop. I like having all three functions in one unit. It saves space and time.

Check Price on Amazon

What to Look for When Buying an Electric Knife Sharpener

After trying many sharpeners, here’s what I think matters most:

Number of Stages

More stages usually means a better edge. Two-stage sharpeners work well for most people. Three-stage models give an even better edge that lasts longer.

I started with a two-stage model. It worked fine. When I moved to a three-stage, I noticed my knives stayed sharp longer.

Abrasive Material

Diamond is best. It works faster and lasts longer than other materials. Sapphirite is also good. It costs less but still works well.

My first sharpener used Sapphirite wheels. They did a good job. When I tried a diamond sharpener, I noticed it worked faster on very dull knives.

Angle Guides

Good guides hold your knife at the right angle. This is key for a good edge. Look for models with spring-loaded guides that adjust to your knife.

I once tried a cheap sharpener with bad guides. My knives came out with uneven edges. Good guides fix this problem.

Knife Compatibility

Some sharpeners work on more types of knives than others. Check if it can handle:

• Western knives (20 degrees)
• Asian knives (15 degrees)
• Serrated knives
• Sport knives

I have many kinds of knives. Getting a sharpener that works on all of them saves me time and money.

Size and Storage

Think about where you’ll keep it. Some are small enough for a drawer. Others need counter space.

I keep mine in a cabinet. I pull it out when I need it. If you have space, leaving it on the counter makes it easier to use often.

How I Use My Electric Knife Sharpener

Here’s my simple process:

1. Check if your knife is dull. Try to slice paper. If it tears instead of cuts, it’s dull.
2. Clean your knife with soap and water. Dry it well.
3. Turn on the sharpener.
4. Start with stage 1 for very dull knives. Pull the knife through 3-4 times.
5. Move to stage 2. Pull through 3-4 times.
6. Finish with stage 3 if you have it. Pull through 3-4 times.
7. Test the edge by slicing paper. It should cut smoothly.
8. Wash and dry your knife again to remove any metal dust.

I do this once a month for knives I use often. For others, I check them every few months.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:

1. Rushing the process – Pull the knife slowly through each stage. Fast pulls give poor results.
2. Pressing too hard – Let the sharpener do the work. Just use light pressure.
3. Skipping stages – Use all stages for the best edge.
4. Not testing – Always test your knife after sharpening.
5. Over-sharpening – Too many pulls can wear down your knife too fast.

The biggest mistake I made was pressing too hard. When I eased up, my edges got much better.

Taking Care of Your Electric Knife Sharpener

Good care makes your sharpener last longer:

1. Unplug it when not in use.
2. Clean it as the manual says. Most have ways to remove metal dust.
3. Keep it dry. Don’t let water get inside.
4. Check the wheels for wear. Replace them if needed.

My first sharpener lasted five years with good care. Taking a minute to clean it after use makes a big difference.

Why I Think Electric Knife Sharpeners Beat Other Methods

I’ve tried many ways to sharpen knives:

• Whetstones: Hard to learn. Takes lots of practice.
• Manual pull-through: Cheaper but less effective.
• Honing steels: They don’t really sharpen, just straighten.
• Professional service: Costs add up fast.

Electric sharpeners give the best mix of ease, speed, and results. They cost more up front, but save money over time.

I spent three months trying to master whetstones. My results were never as good as with an electric sharpener. For most home cooks, electric is the way to go.

When to Replace Your Knives Instead of Sharpening

Sometimes a knife is past saving. Signs include:

• Deep nicks or chips in the blade
• The blade is very thin from many sharpenings
• The knife doesn’t stay sharp after sharpening

I had an old chef’s knife that wouldn’t hold an edge anymore. It was time to let it go. Sometimes a new knife is the better choice.

My Final Thoughts

A good electric knife sharpener is worth every penny. It makes cooking more fun and safer. Sharp knives mean less work and better results.

For most homes, the Presto 08800 EverSharp is a great start. It’s simple and works well at a good price.

If you cook often or have good knives, the Chef’sChoice 15XV is worth the extra money. The edges it makes are amazing.

I use my electric sharpener every month. It’s one of the best kitchen tools I own. No more struggling with dull knives!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I sharpen my kitchen knives?

For knives you use daily, check them once a month. Most need sharpening every 2-3 months. I sharpen my chef’s knife monthly and others less often.

Can electric sharpeners damage my knives?

Good electric sharpeners won’t harm your knives if used right. They remove less metal than you might think. I’ve used them on my best knives for years with no problems.

Are electric knife sharpeners worth it?

Yes! They save time and give better results than most manual methods. Mine paid for itself by not having to buy new knives or pay for sharpening services.

Can I sharpen serrated knives with an electric sharpener?

Some models can sharpen serrated knives. Look for ones that say they work on serrated edges. I use the Chef’sChoice models for my bread knives.

How long do electric knife sharpeners last?

With good care, they last many years. My first one is still working after five years. Better models tend to last longer.

Are more expensive sharpeners really better?

Often, yes. They have better abrasives, stronger motors, and more features. But even budget models work well. My Presto does a great job for basic needs.

Can I sharpen scissors with an electric knife sharpener?

Most knife sharpeners don’t work well for scissors. They need different angles. I use a special scissors sharpener instead.

How can I tell if my knives are sharp enough?

Try the paper test. Hold a sheet of paper by one edge and try to slice down through it with your knife. A sharp knife cuts cleanly without tearing.

Do professional chefs use electric knife sharpeners?

Many do! While some prefer stones, many pros use electric sharpeners to save time. My chef friend uses a Chef’sChoice in his restaurant kitchen.

What’s the difference between honing and sharpening?

Honing straightens the edge of a slightly dull knife. Sharpening removes metal to create a new edge. You need both for the best results. I hone weekly and sharpen monthly.