A wide range in price and quality was found in recent testing of knife sharpeners, with some devices failing to adequately sharpen blades and others posing safety risks. However, several models performed well.
The promise of quickly and easily restoring a dull knife to sharpness is a common one from manufacturers of knife sharpening devices. A recent test of 13 such devices, conducted in a specialized laboratory in Remscheid, Germany – a center for the German tool industry – revealed a significant disparity in performance.
Prices for the tested sharpeners ranged from approximately $10 to nearly $200. The testing revealed that none of the devices fully restored knives to their original sharpness.
Test Results
The electric Trizor XV from Chef’s Choice received a very good rating in the testing and also performed well in practical use. This was the most expensive device tested, priced at around $190 and is relatively large in size.
Safety Concerns
Testers identified a potential injury hazard with the Simple-Sharp device from American manufacturer DMT during practical use. The design allows for the possibility of cutting a finger if the hand is positioned incorrectly during the sharpening process. The manufacturer stated that the side grips are intended for positioning the device, not for guiding the hand during sharpening, and that they are unaware of any reported injuries.
The testers also flagged a safety issue with the electric sharpener from Domo, citing a lack of secure hand positioning. The suction cups did not adhere to all surfaces, causing the device to move when the motor was activated. Fust, the retailer, stated that the product has been temporarily removed from sale pending further investigation with the supplier.
Poor Sharpening Performance
Both the Blade Star from Livington and the electric knife sharpener from Stilgut received an insufficient overall rating due to poor results in the sharpness measurements. Although both performed adequately in the practical test, this did not compensate for the inability to effectively sharpen the blades.
Lehner Versand responded to the Livington test result by stating that it would review appropriate steps with the supplier. Stilgut declined to comment specifically on the insufficient rating.
The knife sharpeners from WMF (approximately $40) and the Horl 3 roller sharpener (approximately $180) achieved good results in both the sharpness measurements and the practical test. The Ikea and Victorinox models, which are small and space-saving, received only sufficient results in the sharpness measurements.
The Aspect model from Ikea, which is the cheapest product in the test at around $10, is the only one that allows wet sharpening, which experts say is always better than dry sharpening.
Wide Price Range
The knife sharpeners from Kai, Zwilling and Taidea achieved only a sufficient sharpening result. They still performed well in the practical test, however, the electric diamond grinding device from Taidea even very well. The two products from Taidea were ordered by “Kassensturz” on the online platform Aliexpress. The prices here vary greatly from day to day.
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