Electric sharpeners are similar to some pull-throughs—you pull the knife through several stages of abrasives, ranging from coarse to fine—but they add a motor to the equation for more aggressive metal removal. The angle is set for you, and in each stage there are two slots, one for sharpening each side of the cutting edge. The abrasives are generally diamond or ceramic. Prices range from about $40 to $400. We worked with a mid-priced, three-stage model with diamond abrasives that cost about $130.

What the experts say

Electric sharpeners have their fans and their detractors. Everyone we consulted said that the machines are simple to use and effective—KnifeCenter.com’s Howard Korn describes them as “easy and straightforward”—yet nearly every expert shared a couple of concerns:

• The coarser stages can be aggressive, so you run the risk of wearing down your knives prematurely if you overuse the coarse stage, apply too much pressure, or use too many strokes. The machines can be fine when used carefully, but their high-speed motors can remove a lot of steel. So be careful with timing as you draw the knife through the slot to make sure all areas of the blade get even contact.
• 这些机器可能会给带有螺栓固定的刀（手柄前刀片的较宽部分）带来一个问题，它太厚而无法通过插槽。重复使用后，槽口可以在刀片的脚后跟附近发育，因为撑杆将不合适，因此磨削停止了。

Our experience

我们的测试人员的反应从“奇妙！”中传播出来。“易于使用，但是磨碎的声音确实使我感到震惊。”每个人都同意，即使是最暗的刀片，机器也明显改善了。由于机器似乎是如此不言自明，因此一些测试人员在没有咨询方向的情况下就在进行，因此将其中风定时不正确，或者不必要地使用最激进的阶段。两者都会导致边缘随着时间的推移不均匀地磨损。
Pros:快速地;干净的;很简单;仔细使用时有效；通过为您设置并维护它来消除所有角度的猜测；让我们磨碎刀片（通过使用细粒度阶段）或真正锐化它们（使用粗阶段）。
Cons:Loud, high-pitched grinding noise during use; could be too aggressive if used without reading the directions; with extended use, might damage knives with thick bolsters; expensive.

Is it right for you?

If you want very sharp knives at all times and don’t want to work too hard at getting them that way, an electric sharpener is your tool, indisputably quicker and easier than stones and many manual systems, and more convenient than sending knives off to a professional sharpening service. If you choose an electric sharpener, don’t just dive in—invest time up front and learn how to use the machine properly.

Option #6: Professional Sharpening Services

Consult the yellow pages or the Internet to find a professional sharpening service in your area. But before you entrust a sharpener with your knives, ask questions…Read more