There is no single "world's best" knife sharpener because the right tool depends entirely on your knife type, skill level, and budget. However, experts and professionals point to a few standout options across different categories.
A professional-grade knife sharpener provides strict angle control, minimal material removal, and highly repeatable results. Top systems range from guided benchtop jigs (e.g., Work Sharp and TSPROF) to commercial electrics (Chef's Choice and Master Grade).
Gordon Ramsay primarily uses a traditional honing steel (or sharpening rod) to maintain knife edges before use, emphasizing safety and consistent 45° angles. While he often uses professional whetstones for deep sharpening, modern demonstrations (and fan-used products) have shown the Tumbler Rolling Sharpener to be highly effective for achieving a razor-sharp edge on his knives.
The Tormek T-2 Pro Kitchen Knife Sharpener meets the professional kitchen's stringent demands for sharpness, simplicity, and speed. Your knives are sharp, just when you need them! The Tormek T-2 Pro Kitchen Knife Sharpneer is a versatile sharpening system for professional kitchens.
The best way to sharpen a chef's knife is with a whetstone. There are other, quicker methods to sharpening knives, especially electric sharpening machines but they are typically more expensive than other options and tend to grind away too much of the blade's surface.
There is no single "best" knife sharpener, as the right tool depends on your knives and skill level. The top manufacturers stand out across different categories:
Pull-through sharpeners are not universally "bad," but they are generally discouraged for high-quality or expensive knives. They offer quick, convenient edge maintenance but are highly aggressive, removing excess metal and often leaving a fragile, jagged edge.
The best knife sharpener depends on your needs, but the Work Sharp Precision Adjust is the best overall choice for most people. It offers adjustable angles and guided sharpening, making it easy to achieve a razor-sharp edge. For a simpler, traditional method, a dual-grit whetstone is highly effective.
America's Test Kitchen (ATK) categorizes knife sharpeners by type, as electric and manual models excel at different jobs.
Yes, you can use WD-40 as a lubricant on oil-based sharpening stones, but it is not the best option. Because WD-40 is very thin, it fails to effectively float away metal shavings (swarf), which can clog your stone.
Sharpening steels, stones and whetstones are great for home chefs who only occasionally sharpen their blades, and butchers who sharpen one or two knives regularly. But, if you're a commercial butcher who uses multiple knives on a regular basis, an electric knife sharpener is often best for the job.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. He underwent successful surgery to have the cancerous cells removed from his jawline and used the opportunity to share photos of his stitches and a public service announcement encouraging fans to wear sunscreen.
Bobby Flay most frequently uses Shun knives, specifically the Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife. He loves these Japanese-crafted blades for their lightweight balance and versatility. For smaller, all-around prep, he has also been known to reach for the Shun Classic Hollow-Ground Santoku.
The best tool to sharpen knives depends on your needs. For beginners and home cooks, angle-guided systems are ideal. Professional chefs and enthusiasts typically prefer traditional whetstones for precision, while electric sharpeners offer the fastest, most convenient results.
Cutting boards made of glass, granite, ceramic, or your dinner plate may look stylish or convenient, but they are the fastest way to destroy a knife's edge. These surfaces are harder than your knife's steel. So every time your blade contacts them, it suffers microscopic edge deformation, chipping, or even rolling.
Ceramic rods can sharpen and the higher grits are great for polishing a finished edge. Diamond sharpeners are very aggressive and are best for quickly setting an edge or resetting the edge to a different angle. Diamond removes steel much faster than other sharpening materials.
The Best Knife Sharpeners of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Chef's Choice sharpeners are industry-standard tools that make restoring dull knives virtually foolproof. Whether you choose a manual or electric model, they utilize multi-stage systems with diamond abrasives to grind, hone, and polish blades to either a 15-degree or 20-degree edge.
Cutco knives are made using stamped steel which means they're cheaper to produce. Although there's nothing wrong with stamped knives, they don't always hold their edge as long as forged knives. That means that you'll have to sharpen stamped knives sooner than forged knives.
Pull-through sharpeners are not universally "bad," but they are generally discouraged for high-quality or expensive knives. They offer quick, convenient edge maintenance but are highly aggressive, removing excess metal and often leaving a fragile, jagged edge.
When choosing a knife sharpener, prioritize blade angle compatibility, abrasive material, grit options, and your own experience level. The right sharpener depends on whether you want rapid, foolproof convenience or precise, professional edge restoration.
Diamond stones sharpen much faster and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for people who want quick results. Whetstones produce superior edges but require more time and skill. Professional sharpeners often use both for different stages.
In the sharpening phase, we do not recommend any current WD-40® Brand Products although some may be used later for storage & protection. For sharpening stones the lubrication can come from water or oil.
In the high-end folding knife community, the original "Holy Trinity" refers to three legendary American makers who pioneered the modern premium tactical folder. Together, their designs set the gold standard for durability and precision.
For most kitchens, you only need three foundational knives to handle 95% of prep work: a Chef's Knife, a Paring Knife, and a Serrated (Bread) Knife. These three powerhouses can tackle anything from dicing onions and slicing crusty bread to peeling fruits and carving small meats.