There are a number of ways to sharpen your kitchen knives, but the one that's right for you will depend on which knives you own, and even more so, on your degree of skill or how willing you are to learn.
For beginners, electric and pull-through sharpeners are the easiest choice, but they aren't right for every knife (or every person).
If you're new to the world of knife sharpeners, we take a look at all the different knife sharpening systems and walk you through a decision process so you can find the right sharpener for your knives.
Article Summary
Who this article is for: Beginners and people looking for basic information about knife sharpeners.
Overall recommendations:
Pull-through sharpeners (manual or electric) are good for people with mid-range knives, those looking for an easy system to use, and those who don't mind a fixed bevel (usually 15 degree) and a sharp-but-not-razor-sharp result.
Whetstones or guided rod systems are good for people with high-end knives, those who want the ability to sharpen to different angles, those who want razor sharpness, and those who don't mind a learning curve.
Our Favorite Knife Sharpeners at a Glance
This table lists the most popular sharpening options, and our favorite example of each. We discuss why in the detailed reviews below and offer some other options.
Type of Sharpener/ Recommendation | Features | Best For: |
|---|---|---|
 | -Also available in steel and diamond -Also called honing rod, steeling rod, steel, and hone -Used to align the blade in-between sharpening and should be used frequently -A must-have for your kitchen knives. | -All knives with a steel blade. -Steel and diamond are also a good choice; ceramic or diamond is a must for harder Japanese steel. |
 | -3 stage sharpening -Fixed 15 degree double bevel -Uses diamond abrasives -Tall slots hold knife steady -Made in USA -3 year warranty. | -Inexperienced sharpeners and moderately expensive blades -Knives with a factory 15 degree double bevel (14-16 if you you're not fussy) -Knives you want to have a 15 degree double bevel -Not a great choice for knives with different bevels.* |
Manual Pull-Through Sharpener: |