2-Stage Hand-Held Sharpener, Black

A sharpener can quickly destroy knives and scissors if not used properly. If you have little experience with sharpeners, I'd suggest watching a few how-to's from *reputable* sources. If you have expensive knives and even if you don't, buying a cheap knife to use as a trainer wouldn't hurt and may save you some grief later. Important to train on a knife made from the same material as your knives - stainless or carbon steel. When most kitchen knives are used in their swim lane and in a typical household vs commercial use, sharpening is rarely needed. A honing rod is often included with knife sets. You'll use the honing rod to to keep the knives performing well the vast majority of the time. *Important* to check with the manufacturer for the correct type of honing rod - ceramic, steel, diamond, etc. Honing rods won't abrasively remove steel to the degree that sharpeners will. Negligible. They simply align the knife edge. The edge of a knife will deform over time. Common in softer stainless steel knives. Knives that use harder carbon steel can micro chip. These things can be seen under magnification. It is often this that results in the feel of dullness. When you do need a sharpener, this one is excellent for a sharpener *of it's type*. Safe to use, effective, almost fool proof. Those knowledgeable about knives may recommend using a whetstone or a sander. They're not wrong. That said, whetstones and sanders require a certain amount of technique, patience and attention to detail. Less a task than a craftsman-like skill. There are still many knife sharpening businesses for good reason. Note that there are at least three versions of this. One for carbon steel knives and another for stainless steel knives. There's also a combo version. Important to use the right version which will also provide the correct angle at which your knives should be sharpened. Definitely read through the manual and/or reach out to the manufacturer for care and cleaning instructions. Side note: if you have the budget, take a look at some of the better American made chefs knives. Benchmade, Kramer (made in the US and Japan) and others. We have some of the best blade smith's in the world and yes, you'll pay for them. That said, worth taking a look.

This is a great knife sharpener for my Wustof knives. It has a good weight and is so easy to use. It's almost addictive! ² I've been told that I should only need to use the course side a couple times a year because it's like taking the knife to get it sharpened and that I should mainly just use the fine side to avoid taking too much blade off. My knives are very dull so I started with the coarse and will be better at maintaining with the fine. My mother has Henckels knives. They are a 15 deg blade where Wustof does 14 degree. I used it on one of her older ones with a broken tip there were so many large shavings. If you intend to use this for Henckles, it may take a long time to get it sharp because you are basically changing the angle of the blade.

These work quite well but the 'fine' sides seemed to wear a little too quickly. But, it's probably still the best sharpener on the market.

It’s a good thing for those of us who are less skilled in sharpening. I gave my first one to a granddaughter who was moving away and had to replace it. It frees me up from worrying about the angle I’m sharpening at and helps me keep them useful between professional sharpening trips. I do steel them after I use this and in between uses but I do recommend this as a way to keep knives sharp.

Let me be surgical: I had my previous Wusthof for more than 20 years. It finally gave up the ghost. This one is even better. The ceramic blades that are the sharpening agent in the 20 yr old devise had to be retired. This is a great little machine for the avid home cook (that's me). It will all be all you will ever need to 'keep the edge' on your kitchen knives. Ergonomics are tremendous : so easy to use and it does the job in less than twenty seconds. Fits in the palm of your hand. Bang for the buck is insane. Nothing to plug in. No bulk. It just sits there next to the cutting board ready to report for duty after each onion, carrot etc. Rinse it and dry it and yes, it fits into a kitchen drawer. You don't need a 'You Tube" video for this little devise. Sometimes I get 'knife sharpener envy, and wonder what it would be like to have 'The 3 Stage Sharpener' but this one is so cost effective and does the job so well I don't need to go there. Be sharp or be dull. For a couple of well spent bucks the choice is up to you.. It makes a great (and inexpensive) gift for the 'foodies' in your life. Christmas is just around the corner. Buy one and share the experience. You will not be disappointed!

This sharpener works great so far, but it is still new. I have a 10 year old $900 set of 6 Wustoff made in Germany kitchen knives. They are really great knives but I've never properly sharpened them. I finally used this device the other day and it makes a world of difference.

If you own a Wüsthof knife you really shouldn't be using this to sharpen it. Get them sharpened professionally or learn how to use a better knife sharpener yourself and do it yourself. This will put a decent edge on a knife but if you're trying to hone or keep an already good edge on a knife this will ruin it.

This will keep your knives sharp! Perfect angle, and easy to use for all types of knives. It will not sharpen neglected or abused knives - spring for the cash to get them sharpened and then you can use this to keep them that way.