The 5 Best Knife Sharpeners To Restore Dull Blades (2025)

Chef’sChoice Trizor XV

Type: Electric | Abrasive material: Diamond | Knife angle: 15 degrees | Grit: Fine, medium

What you’ll love:

• Sharpens straight-edged and serrated blades
• Works quickly with little effort
• Small learning curve

Keep in mind:

• Slightly bulky profile

For its ease of use, consistency and versatility, the Chef’sChoice Trizor XV is the knife sharpener that we recommend first to most home cooks. Featuring diamond-coated abrasive discs, this electric model has three slots to sharpen, hone and polish both straight-edged or serrated knives (many sharpeners can’t handle serrated blades). The first stage sharpens 15-degree edges using medium abrasives, while the second stage has finer abrasives to hone the edge and the third stage relies on flexible stropping disks to polish. What’s more, this model is a breeze to use: While it might take you a minute to sharpen your first few knives, once you get the hang of it, you can expect resharpening to take about 10 seconds.

Zwilling V-Edge Sharpener

Type: Manual | Abrasive material: Ceramic | Knife angle: 10 or 15 degrees | Grit: Super-fine (1000), medium (360), coarse (150)

What you’ll love:

• Interchangeable angle adapters for Western and Japanese knives
• Includes built-in storage for adapters and rods
• Slim, space-saving design

Keep in mind:

• Can’t sharpen serrated knives

Whereas electric models tend to be faster and more user-friendly, manual models provide better control and precision. Featuring V-shaped ceramic sharpening stones, this model from trusted German knife brand Zwilling has interchangeable adaptors for Western- and Japanese-style knives, allowing you to achieve the right angle for your blades. It also includes ceramic sharpening rods for fine, medium or coarse grinds. When it’s time to sharpen your dull blades, simply insert an adaptor and pull your knife through; when their factory edge is restored, you can pack all the accessories up in the handy built-in storage compartment.

The Original Tumbler Rolling Knife Sharpener

Type: Manual | Abrasive material: Diamond | Knife angle: 15 or 20 degrees | Grit: D35

What you’ll love:

• Intuitive design
• Small footprint
• Achieves consistently sharp results

Keep in mind:

• Height of the cylindrical part limits the knives you can sharpen
• Not suitable for serrated knives

Rolling knife sharpeners have a clever design, featuring two parts: a magnetic block that you stick your knife to, then a cylindrical piece that you roll up and down the blade to sharpen it. Over multiple weeks, two Forbes Vetted staffers tested out the Original Tumbler, with both reporting that it makes knife sharpening a breeze. In fact, group product manager Matt Flood says he’ll likely reach for this instead of the professional sharpening block he’s been using to restore his blades’ factory edge: “I would much prefer to use this since it’s much easier, has a smaller foot print and gets good results.” With this model, you sharpen each side of the knife separately—either to 15 or 20 degrees—using the diamond disc, which takes less than a minute. What’s more, the magnetic piece is notably strong, giving you much-appreciated security. Just note this model shouldn’t be used on serrated knives.

Type: Whetstone | Abrasive material: Ceramic | Knife angle: Manual | Grit: 1,000 (medium)

What you’ll love:

• Doesn’t require soaking
• Gives the user total control of the sharpening process
• Only comes with one grit

Keep in mind:

• Can be tricky for beginners to learn

While using a whetstone comes with a learning curve, most professional chefs and knife experts will tell you that it’s the absolute best type of sharpener—and the Shapton Pro 1000 is especially popular. This Japanese water stone is a medium-grit ceramic piece that comes nestled in a non-slip plastic base, which helps keep the whole setup stable as you sharpen away. And though it doesn’t have the helpful pre-set angles that some whetstones do, it’s more beginner-friendly than others. I’d never used a whetstone before this one and was pleasantly surprised to discover just how intuitive it is. Also, because it’s a “splash-and-go” whetstone, you don’t have to remember to soak it before using, so the process doesn’t take much time at all. And most importantly, my chef’s knives and paring knife are sharper than ever.

Type: Manual | Abrasive material: Ceramic, diamond, tungsten steel | Knife angle: Not listed | Grit: Coarse, fine

What you’ll love:

• Four slots to sharpen and polish a variety of blades
• Easy-to-grip handle keeps the sharpener secure
• Includes protective gloves

Keep in mind:

• Can’t sharpen serrated knives

If you’re in the market for a straightforward, budget-friendly model, we’re fans of the Longzon 4-In-1 Knife Sharpener. While this manual model isn’t suitable for serrated knives, it can sharpen and polish all straight-edge blades (except those made from ceramic) as well as kitchen shears. It also has a few thoughtful safety-minded features: The base is non-slip, plus each sharpener comes with cut-resistant gloves to protect your hand during use (though the gloves are a little thin).

All in all, this sharpener is a fantastic value that’s great for those who are on a budget or looking to try their hand at sharpening for the first time.

RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED