Manual vs Electric Knife Sharpeners

T here is an absurd amount of different types of knives out there, and we all have and use at least one type on an almost daily basis. However, as they are subjected to intense use, it’s inevitable for their blades to become dull. When this happens, you can only do one of two things, more precisely to either throw them out or sharpen their blades. Obviously, the smart thing to do is to sharpen the blade, this way saving money and getting to keep a reliable knife that you feel comfortable using. But then comes the problem of deciding between a manual and an electric knife sharpener.

Manual Sharpeners – Pros and Cons

Manual knife sharpeners are a popular choice for those who want to sharpen their kitchen knives. On the downside, they are not the most reliable if you want to sharpen a lot of different types of knives as some knives can’t be sharpened manually. For example, if you have many serrated knives and knives with waved edges, you might have the unpleasant surprise of noticing uneven results as the manual model won’t be able to fully sharpen them. On the other hand, manual models do give you more control over the sharpening process, being perfect for those who like to be in control.

• Full control over the sharpening process;
• They come at a cheaper price;
• Perfect for kitchen knives;
• Extremely safe to use.

• They don’t work well for serrated knives and knives with waved edges;
• You have to put more effort into using them;
• They’re not as fast at sharpening the blades.

Electric Sharpeners – Pros and Cons

What definitely stands out the most about electric knife sharpeners is the fact that they provide faster results when compared to their manual counterparts. Obviously, they don’t require you to put effort into the task either, but rather pull the blade through the abrasive. This makes them a preferred choice by many, but they do come with their own set of downfalls as well.

• Fast method of sharpening blades;
• Better results when it comes to the sharpness of the blade;
• Easier to use as it requires no effort from your part;
• They work with all types of knives.

• You won’t feel as in control as you would with manual models;
• They come at a more expensive price.

Important Differences

The biggest difference between them stands precisely in the manner in which you operate them, the manual types requiring more implication on your part as you will do the entire process of sharpening the blade with your own two hands, while the electric models require you to simply pass the blade through the abrasive.

When you look at pricing, on the other hand, manual models win as they are cheaper. They are a lot safer to use when compared to electric models as well. Nonetheless, the odds are still in favor of electric models because they come with advantages that weigh more, advantages that we previously talked about.

What we advise you to do is pay attention when looking at the advantages and disadvantages of both types and take a final decision based solely on what you find to be better for you. For example, although we do recommend the electric models more, if you want to sharpen only kitchen knives that have straight blades, it’s cheaper, safer, and more satisfying to go with manual types, obviously.

Our Recommendation – Electric Knife Sharpeners

If you still find it hard to make up your mind regarding what’s the best option to go with, what we recommend is for you to invest in an electric model. Undoubtedly, the advantages provided by modern electric knife sharpeners surpass those offered by manual units, being more convenient to use.

Considering the fact that electric sharpeners can improve the blade quality of various types of knives, depending on the model that you choose, there’s no limit to how you can use it. Some models can be used to sharpen both straight edge and serrated knives, like the Presto 08810 Professional, and some can be used to even restore the sharpness of ceramic knives, like the Shenzhen Knives SZSHARP model.