Best Knife Sharpener 2021

1. SHAN ZU Whetstone Set (#1000/#5000 Grit) with Pakka wood storage box
2. SHANZU Premium Whetstone Kit  (#1000/#6000 Grit)
3. SHAN ZU Premium Whetstone Kit (#3000/#8000 Grit)
4. SHAN ZU leather sharpening strop kit
5. SHAN ZU Professional knife sharpener 400/1000/6000 grinding stone

                                                                     

SHANZU 2PCS Premium 1000 and 5000 Grit

When was the last time you sharpened your kitchen knife? If your answer is “I really can’t remember, it’s been so long,” your reputation as a chef might be at risk. Knife sharpening is a crucial part of cooking. The difference between a sharp chef’s knife and a dull one can turn a simple task like chopping vegetables or meat into a nightmare — possibly ending with a trip to the ER if you’re not careful. 

Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, sharpening your knives every few months can help reduce accidents and improve your entire prep process. Done well, it can also significantly extend your knives’ lifespan. Owning a good knife sharpener is essential for anyone who takes pride in their kitchen skills. 

But which one is right for you? With so many knife sharpening options available, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this detailed guide to help you find the best knife sharpener to bring your dull blades back to life. Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Learn

1. What is the best knife sharpener on the market?
2. What do professional knife sharpeners use?
3. How do I choose a knife sharpener?
4. When do you need to sharpen your knife?
5. How to use a whetstone?

1. What Is the Best Knife Sharpener on the Market?

As you might have guessed, the answer depends on your needs, skill level, and personal preference. Another factor is the type of knife you need to sharpen (chef’s knife, paring knife, steak knife, etc.) and how much time you’re willing to spend. That said, the world of knife sharpeners is fascinating, and we’re excited to help you get started.

Here are some of the most popular sharpening methods:

WHETSTONES

SHAN ZU Whetstone 1000/6000 Grit

Yes, using a sharpening stone or whetstone might take a bit more time than other methods (the entire process can take between 20 to 40 minutes). However, they offer much more versatility, allowing you to hone and sharpen your knives at any angle you want. This is especially useful if you have a diverse collection of knives, from Western to Japanese styles. 

It might take some time to master the sharpening stone, but your chef’s knife will end up with razor-sharp blades, and the process is rewarding. Besides sharpening your knife blade, whetstones are excellent for repairing and restoring old knives. Plus, you can also use them to sharpen other items like gardening tools and scissors.

To achieve optimal sharpening results and a sharp knife, you’ll need either a multi-sided sharpening stone or at least a sharpening kit with two or three stones of varying coarseness (usually called ‘grit’). 

Pros

• They look really cool.
• Versatile.
• Some whetstones can last a lifetime.
• Whetstones often extend a knife’s life more than electric sharpeners. 
• They are used for both Western and Asian-style knives.

Cons

• Steep learning curve.
• Precision is key. How you angle your blade determines the grind.

SHAN ZU Whetstone Options:

Low-Grit Stones:
A low-grit stone has two different sides and a grit number under 1000. Each side serves a purpose: one side is for honing, and the other helps remove scratches from sharp edges or chips. You can use this stone to sharpen dull blades and other tools with chipped edges. Here are some specific uses for these whetstones:
You can use this stone to sharpen knives that have completely lost their edges.
You can restore damaged knives that have chips and nicks.
Do not use these stones for general sharpening as they will leave a coarse finish.

We recommend the #400/#1000 Grit:

SHAN ZU Premium Whetstone Kit (#400/#1000 Grit) - Handcrafted set of top-grade corundum whetstones. 

Medium-Grit Stones:
The grit number of a medium-grit stone is usually between 1000 and 3000. These whetstones are ideal for general or regular sharpening as well as honing to straighten dull angles. Compared to low-grit stones, medium-grit stones provide better sharpening results. Here are some uses for your medium-grit stone:
You can use the whetstone for restoring damaged knives and regular sharpening.
Use the medium-grit stone moderately to prevent your edges from becoming too thin.
With a medium-grit stone, your knife edges become finer than when sharpened with low-grit stones

We recommend the following 3 types:

1. SHAN ZU Premium Whetstone Kit (#1000/#6000 Grit)-SHAN ZU Top seller
2. SHAN ZU Whetstone Set (#1000/#6000 Grit) with Pakka wood storage box
3. SHAN ZU Whetstone Set (#1000/#5000 Grit) with Pakka wood storage box

High-Grit Stones:
High-grit stones have grit numbers between 4000 and 8000. They are also called finishing stones. These stones are suitable for sharpening knives used to slice meat and vegetables. Such knives should be very sharp for easier and finer cutting. Here is more about high-grit stones.
High-grit stone is ideal for polishing and refining. If you want your blade to regain its shine, you should polish it with this stone.
These whetstones are finely abrasive, strong, and very hard. These features allow for detailed finishing.
Between your sharpening sessions, you can polish your knife using this stone to maintain your blade.
This whetstone is especially good for sharpening Western knives.

We recommend the #3000/#8000 grit:

1. SHAN ZU Premium Whetstone Kit (#3000/#8000 Grit)-#3000 grit stone is your all-purpose stone to sharpen dull or damaged blades, and a #8000 to restore that mirror polish and razor-sharp edge to your blade.

If you need low-grit stones and medium-grit stones at the same time, we recommend the following set:
      SHAN ZU Professional knife sharpener 400/1000/6000 grinding stone

 

HONING STEEL

SHAN ZU Professional Knife Sharpening Rod

Also known as “sharpening steel,” the honing steel, or honing rod, is more of a complement to your preferred sharpening method than an actual knife sharpener.

Although it helps the blade maintain its sharp edge between intensive sharpening sessions, it won’t repair dull blades. It generally consists of a honing rod made of metal, diamond carbon steel, or ceramic. Using a honing rod also requires some skill that can be developed with practice.

Pros

• Using it often means you’ll need to sharpen less frequently
• Affordable

Cons

• It takes some time to master the proper sharpening technique
• You need to learn the various angles required to improve your specific blade before you start working with your honing rod

SHAN ZU Honing Steel Options:

1. SHAN ZU Professional Knife Sharpening Rod - Precision forged, ultra-sharp, wear-resistant, single-piece, high-carbon German steel at 55 Rockwell

 

Leather sharpening strop

SHAN ZU leather sharpening strop kit

Leather sharpening strop uses premium quality genuine cowhide leather; Acacia base has a non-slip rubber bottom; Green polishing compound (chrome oxide and alumina) works with many materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, wood, cast iron, copper, and more. An ideal choice for many professionals like chefs and woodcarvers to keep their tools razor sharp.

Pros

• Suitable for high-end knives
• Less damage to the knives

Cons

• Not as easy to use as a manual knife sharpener

SHAN ZU leather sharpening strop Options:

1. SHAN ZU leather sharpening strop kit

2. What Do Professional Knife Sharpeners Use?

While most home cooks prefer electric and manual sharpeners, whetstones and leather sharpening strops are usually the preferred choice for professional chefs and knife enthusiasts. They not only last much longer but are also far more effective than any other knife sharpening system. 

Waterstones, or whetstones, can be used for Western, Japanese, and almost any type of blade. The process is simple—soak the stone for 5 to 10 minutes, then run the knife against it—but mastering the angle is crucial. There are many tutorials available on YouTube.

Pull-through sharpeners are a different story. Designed for amateur cooks, these manual devices often have a D-shaped handle and multiple V-shaped channels or grooves that you pull the knife through to progressively sharpen, hone, and refine the blade. You might want to avoid this method if you own a Japanese knife (too delicate), but it’s perfectly suitable for the sturdy build of German and French-style knives.

Like manual sharpeners, an electric knife sharpener uses a motorized system that removes metal from the knife’s blade through a series of wheels or discs in a very convenient and time-saving way. While these can save you time and effort, the fixed angle settings make them less versatile overall. Use them carefully—if used too often, they might change the original design of your knife.   

And, of course, let’s not forget about the honing rod. Whether you’re an experienced chef or just starting out in the culinary world, the honing steel should always be a key part of your knife care routine. Frequent honing is known to improve your knife’s performance and reduce the time needed between sharpening sessions.

3. How Do I Choose a Knife Sharpener?

Not all knives are created equal, and the same goes for knife sharpeners. Although all knife sharpening techniques follow the same principle—using an abrasive edge to remove metal from the blade—each knife has its own quirks and unique features, which should be considered when choosing a sharpening method.

As mentioned before, a whetstone is the most versatile sharpening tool available. It works on almost any type of blade and, although it’s known to be challenging to master, learning to use one will give you a sense of calm and help you on your path to knife sharpening mastery. Also, while not ideal, a whetstone can be used as a makeshift ceramic knife sharpener – but ceramic knives are very brittle, and sharpening them can be quite tricky.

If you’re too busy to master the waterstone, the obvious choice is an electric knife sharpener. Yes, you might have to spend a bit more on one of these, but in the end, you won’t regret it. Most sharpening products on the market today work well with both Japanese and Western-style knives, and some can even sharpen serrated blades.

Outdoor enthusiasts might prefer a handheld sharpener, which is more portable and versatile enough to work with, for example, a hunting knife or a pocket knife. Handheld knife sharpeners usually have a manual grip, making it easier to control and work at any angle you want.

4. When do you need to sharpen your knife?

Depending on how often you use them, you should sharpen your knives at home every few months. For top performance, it’s also recommended to have your knives professionally sharpened every other year. Additionally, daily use of a honing rod or sharpening steel is great for keeping the blade edge aligned.    

What’s the difference between honing and sharpening?

Basically, honing helps realign the microscopic teeth on the blade, but it won’t sharpen a dull knife. Sharpening removes a small amount of steel from the blade, creating a new edge. The difference also lies in frequency – honing should be done daily, while sharpening is only needed every few months. Both methods are very useful to keep your knives in good condition and performing at their best.

5. How to use a whetstone?

Using a whetstone is quite simple. You just slide the blade over the stone to remove a layer of steel, revealing a new one. The knife gets sharper as you expose the thinner layer. You need to apply some effort to sharpen your blades. The softer the stone, the finer the blade becomes. For the best results, you should wet your sharpening stone before you start sharpening. 

You can follow the steps in the video on YouTube: