Let’s face it; there isn’t any knife in this world that doesn’t get dull over time. So it would be best if you look for a high-quality, sturdy yet not too pricey knife sharpeners. In this article, we will be listing down the top picks for best electric knife sharpener but first, let us uncover the secrets and history of knife sharpeners.
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Best Electric Knife Sharpeners Reviews 2020: Top 5 Picks
Image | Rank | Brands | Product Name | Quality | Price | Editor's Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 4.5 | $$ | ||||
| #2 | 4 | $$$ | ||||
| #3 | 4 | $$$$ | ||||
| #4 | 3.5 | $$$ | ||||
| #5 | 3 | $$ |
Sharpening Steels
Even in the ancient times, people who have used knives also needed the means to sharpen them, even if it is using a simple rock. Any hard and rough surface which is harder than the knives can make it sharp. A window sill and sandstone were also considered to be used when sharpening the knife.
There is no record of when and who actually invented the first sharpening steel.
Sharpening steels Via chefgiovanni
MOLETAS-KNIFE GRINDERS
According to the study done by University of Colorado, “prehistoric people developed a method of sharpening tools and stone knives at least 75,000 years ago".
”The “Moletas” or the western style grinding or sharpening can actually be traced back all the way from Northern Italy. Trento, Italy became the center of knife grinding tradition.
- DID YOU KNOW? The smaller the angle between the blade and stone, the sharper the knife will be.
KNIFE SHARPENING METHODS
- Sharpening/Grinding – it is the process of removing metal to form a new edge.
- Rough Sharpening (this is for Oil stones, Water stones, and sandpaper)
- Fine Sharpening (this is for finer grits)
- Straightening/Steeling – it is the process of straightening the metal on the blade but not exactly removing a significant edge.
- Polishing/Stropping - it is the process doing renewing the blade by giving it a mirror finish but not exactly altering the edge.
Blood Damage
When blades are damaged by a compressive force or also known as buckling and if pressed into a hard object just like bone or ice and also by bending from sideways pressure, it rolls the edge of the blade due to metal ductile nature.
- DID YOU KNOW? Blades can be damaged just by simply cutting lemons and tomatoes because of their acid.
HOW TO AVOID BLADE DAMAGE
- Once you are done using your knife, you have to clean it right away but NOT with a use of harsh detergents.
- Elias Cairo, chef and owner of Olympia Provisions said that “I had the same knives since I was 15, I don’t like to use harsh detergents on my knives, I wash them with mild soap with my hands and immediately wipes them dry after I wash it.” Because the pressure of the dishwasher can knock the knives around that would dull the blade.
- This is probably the most important one: Using the right knife – It would be great if you know which knife is appropriate for meat, vegetables, fruits etc.
- Thinner Blade – is supposed to be used on cut fillets, roast for stuffing or butterfly steak.
- Thicker Blade – is supposed to be used for chopping or slicing.
- Oiling (with food grade oil) is advisable as well
- Slicing Paper – If you can slice a paper effortlessly with your knife and it doesn’t catch even a tiny bit of tear then your knife is indeed sharp.
- Shaving Sharp – Shaving hair in your arms with your knife means your knife is incredibly sharp and it doesn’t need to undergo other tests.
- Fingernail trick – *this can be dangerous so you have to be extremely careful* Lay the edge of your knife very gently on your fingernail. If the knife bits into your fingernail then your knife is very sharp.
- Slice an Onion – An onion as we all know is very slipper and its skin is very thin so if your knife can easily catch and bit into the skin of an onion then it is sharp.
My Two Favorite Ways to Test Edge Sharpness Via Survivalkraft
2017 TOP PICKS FOR ELECTRIC KNIFE SHARPENERS
Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener Via Amazon
Our top pick is non-other than the Presto Eversharp. It is cheap and reliable when it comes to knife sharpeners. It truly proves that the price sometimes doesn’t matter, because some expensive ones don’t work best at all times. What I like about the Presto Eversharp is that it is very small and compact which is great if you don’t have much space in your kitchen.
Things We Liked
- It is perfect for beginners and common household.
- It provides 2 stages that make sharpening faster.
- It makes such fine grit with less coarseness
- This is perfect for common kitchen knives and pocket knives
- It has an amazing 120-volt motor that fires up so quickly and is perfect if you are always in a hurry
- VERY AFFORDABLE
Things We Didn't Like
- Not suitable for Asian-style knives
- It cannot be used on a 15-degree angle
Presto® EverSharp® electric knife sharpener Via Presto Appliances
Chef's Choice 120 Diamond Hone 3-Stage Professional Knife Sharpener, White Via Amazon
This portable electric sharpener has a 3 stage process that guarantees amazing results. Despite the fact that it is too pricey, it has a 100% diamond abrasives in the first 2 stages and the final stage is for polishing and may be used for very dull knives.
Things We Liked
- It is definitely for professional use
- It is best to use with butcher knives, gourmet knives, sporting and hunting knives and other utility knives
- It can even sharpen serrated knives
Things We Didn't Like
- It is too expensive
- The motor only lasts for a few months and so it is not worth too much money
Chef's Choice 3-stage Model 120 Electric Knife Sharpeners Via Cutlery and More
Wusthof Black 3-stage Chef's Choice PEtec Electric Knife Sharpener Via Amazon
This German company provides high-quality products and with this 3-stage knife sharpener, the quality really is above average with its promise to bring ultra-sharpness after sharping your knife. It is also pretty similar to the previous one.
But it has this contemporary design with gray and silver housing. It is a collaboration of Wusthof and Chef’s Choice
Things We Liked
- It is definitely for professional use
- This knife sharpener is compact and can be placed at anywhere in the kitchen
- It can literally sharpen any knife with its PEtec angle technology
- It is the best if you use their knives for their knife sharpener
Things We Didn't Like
- It is a little pricey
- It sharpens basically any knife but ordinary knives couldn’t handle the sharpness it gives
- The motor tends to get hot because the sharpener seems to be so thin and made up of cheap material
- When sharpening a cook’s knife, the sharpening wheels jumps from side to side being out of line which does not look right
Wusthof PEtec Electric Knife Sharpener by Chef's Choice Via Cutlery and More
Chef's Choice 1520 AngleSelect Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener-White Via Amazon
This knife sharpener is one of the most versatile knives you will come across with. It is good for Asian, European and American knives. It is made in the USA so it sturdy and must last long. It also comes with the diamond abrasives and patented flexible stropping and polishing disc. It also has a multi-stage sharpening system.
Things We Liked
- This knife sharpener gives you multiple angle options making
- It can sharpen sports knives and pocket knives as well
- It can even sharpen serrated knives
Things We Didn't Like
- After using it, the blade got too sharp that it damaged it
- The grinder tends to ruin the side of the blades
- The sharpening disks got to loosen up just after a couple of uses
Chefs Choice Model 1520 Diamond Knife Sharpener Via chefschoicevideo
Mcgowan Diamondstone Electric Knife Sharpener, Black Via Amazon
This knife sharpener is very quick and very easy to use. This has ceramic wheels with diamonds on them but it only features one sharpening stage, therefore, you cannot expect it to get polished. And because it doesn’t have any stages, it is not too complicated to use, unlike the previous ones. You just pass the knife through the slot and simply get it out. There you have it, simple as that.
Things We Liked
- This knife sharpener can handle a 20-degree angle
- This is best for European knives
- Perfect for a normal household chef
Things We Didn't Like
- It only features 1 stage
- It doesn’t polish or use finer diamonds
- Not good for high-quality knives or serrated knives
CONCLUSION
Every knife sharpener has different features but the best one for me is the Presto 08800 EverSharp. It is précised and not too complicated to use. It is best for unprofessional chefs or the people who only started to use their kitchen. It always depends on your choice and your abilities. If you are a pro then go for the Chef’s Choice ones since it has more features. But if you are in between pro and amateur just asses what you really need and what kind of skills you have.
If you're looking for smaller knife sharpeners like pocket knife sharpeners, check them here.
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