All chefs appreciate the value of a well-sharpened knife. It makes life so easy and smooth. If you want to make a clean and consistent cut, then your blade needs to be well maintained. Contrary to popular belief, a dull knife is much more dangerous than a sharp knife as it requires more power and a small slip can cause extensive damage. But the art of sharpening a knife is delicate and requires both skill and the right equipment.
Traditionally, most people used, and still use, a sharpening stone. However, this technique requires a lot of time to harness. This led to the innovation of electric knife sharpeners which are easy and fast. They not only save on time but also, they ensure your knives are well-taken care off. Dull knives are a thing of the past with this electric knife sharpeners.
What to look for in an electric knife sharpener
Electric Knives can be a hard nut to crack if you don’t know what you are looking for. But that should not be the case. Here are is what you should now while buying an electric knife;
- Number of sharpening slots
Typically, the electric knife sharpener should have two slots for sharpening. This is simply because a knife needs to be sharpened on both sides. Having two slots makes it easy to sharpen both sides without necessarily moving the electric knife sharpener.
- Safety measures
Since an electric knife has a lot of dangers surrounding it, safety is of utmost importance. A good electric sharpener should have rubberized feet to prevent it from moving while sharpening. There should also be non-slip materials around it grips to prevent any injuries resulting from slips.
- Sharpening stages
A good sharpening tool should consist of two sharpening stages. There is the pre-sharpening stage and the polishing stage. Both are important as they both ensure the knife comes out sharp and clean.
- Easy to move
You need an electric knife that can be easily moved around. This makes it more ideal as you can use it in your kitchen as well as when you are hosting an outdoor BBQ. Thou the construction of an electric knife means it might be somehow heavy, it should not mean it cannot be carried around.
The internet is filled with lots of electric knife sharpeners. We have done our homework and we bring you the best electric knife sharpeners in 2020:
Presto 8800 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
This easy-to-use electric knife sharpener is well made and uses two stages to sharper knives. It is well poised to ensure your non-serrated knives are well sharpened. It has a simple sharpening process and you don’t have to worry about sharpening angles as there is a guide that will direct you to precise sharpening.
The sharpening wheels are made using sapphirite wheels which are known to sharpen materials at lighting speed. The material is preferred by most people as it does not heat up while sharpening and thus its won’t damage the knife.
Its 2-stage sharpening process is well designed to ensure your knife moves from being dull to a razor-sharp blade. The first stage is where the grinding begins and the dull materials are chopped off and the second stage is where the knife is polished smoothly to give it its cutting-edge sharpness.
The motor runs very quietly and does not cause any considerable noise. The process of sharpening is quick and easy and you will go back to preparing your meals or meat in no time. The manufacturer includes a precision guide that’s important in ensuring there is no guesswork while sharpening.
However, the Presto 8800 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener eats into the blade too quickly and does not react well to much pressure on the blade. That said, the electric knife comes at a fair price and does a good job.
Pros
- It’s easy to use
- Runs quietly
- Precision cutting
- Comes at an affordable price
Cons
- Sensitive to pressure
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
If you are in the market for a sharpener that is easy to use and sharpens all types of knives, this one is for you. This electric sharpener is made to be used by both newbies and the industries enthusiasts with its simple, yet effective sharpening procedures.
The electric knife sharpener comes with sharpening guides that make it ideal to sharpen all types of knives from the kitchen knife to the hunting knife to the filet knife. This is made possible by its premium abrasive belts that can sharpen all types of blades. The abrasive belts are easily replaced and don’t damage the blades while sharpening. This is mainly because they don’t overheat while sharpening.
There are three types of abrasive belts each serving a different purpose. The medium belts are used to sharpen most of the common blades while the fine belts are used to polish the blades. The most unique of the three is the coarse belts that are used to sharpen tools or damaged blades.
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener can also be used to sharpen other tools such as the garden pruners, lawnmower blades, scrapers, shovels and other bladed tools. It is highly portable and its versatility makes it your must-have piece of equipment.
Pros
- It’s very versatile
- Precision sharpening
- Durable sharpening belts
- It can easily be moved
Unlike most knife sharpeners in this list, this one uses a three-stage process. All three stages use a diamond sharpening rod that does a good job sharpening and does not damage the blade. During the first stage, the knife is repaired and the damaged parts removed. During the second stage, the blade is sharpened to razor-sharpness before being moved to the third stage. Here the knife is fine-tuned and polished to the desired sharpness level.
This knife sharpener is made with an ergonomic design that is tailored to be used by both left-handed and right-handed people. The handles are made to be gentle and non-slippery and the manufacturer includes a pair of cut-resistant gloves that users should wear. This makes it comfortable to use.
When it comes to durability, the Kitchen Knife Sharpener is built to last. The ABS plastic, which is the main material used in the construction of the sharpener, is strong and withstands all the pressures that come with knife sharpening. The manufacturer includes a 30-day money-back guarantee that assures customers that they will get their money if they are not satisfied with the product.
Pros
- Uses a 3-stage sharpening process
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Comes with a pair of gloves
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Secura Electric Knife Sharpener
This is an electric blade sharpener that specializes in straight knives and uses the two-stage sharpening process. It is lightning quick and does not require a lot of skills to use it. During the first stage, the knife sharpener reshapes the edges of the blades as well as rejuvenating the angles. This is important as it goes a long way in ensuring the dull chips are shed off and the blade is well prepared for the second phase. In the second stage, the knife is polished and fine-tuned to a high degree of sharpness which makes it easy to slice, chop or any other job that non-serrated knife does.
The manufacturer of this electric knife sharpener has prioritized safety with a non-slip suction cup that is made with a heavy-duty material. The blade is positioned at an ideal angle and this is automatic as the user follows the laid out guides.
To maintain this sharpener, the manufacturer advises that it should be cleaned after every use. This should be done using a damp cloth or a dry towel. Users are also advised to occasionally empty the receiving trays.
However, the Secura Electric Knife Sharpener only supports 120 V and it does not sharpen scissors or ceramic knives or even serrated knives. However, at its price, it’s a nice bargain and does a good sharpening job. It is also surprisingly quiet and its motors don’t damage the blades. It is also very portable and its sleek design is attractive.
Pros
- It runs quietly
- Strong safety measures
- It is simple to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Does not support Voltages over 120V
- It does not sharpen serrated or ceramic knives and scissors
Summary
That marks the end of our list. Thou the list is expansive, it comprises of some of the best electric knife sharpeners you can get in the market. When you get your electric knife, it’s important to take great care of it. Cleaning is a must as the metal residue can cause damages to your electric knife. Several cleaning procedures can be used to clean an electric sharpener. Some come with a residue tray that needs to be emptied now and then and some require the use of a magnet. Whatever type of cleaning that is required, the bottom line is, a clean electric knife sharpener goes a long way in ensuring your knives are sharp for a long time.