Buy It For Life
Knife Sharpeners

Cookware & Kitchenware

Buy it for life: the most durable knife sharpeners,
according to r/BuyItForLife on Reddit —
recommended by people who have owned them for years. How we pick.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Chef'sChoice Trizor XV

Three-stage electric sharpener for kitchen knives that prioritizes speed, simplicity, and consistent edges.

Mentioned 4 times in the threads we read

• Very quick to use
• Easy for beginners
• Produces sharp, consistent edges

I went with the top pick from NYT Wirecutter column and bought a ChefsChoice Trizor XV sharpener years ago. I can’t recommend it enough. It does a great job and does it quick.
– monkeywobble

I’ve had a chefs choice pro 3 stage sharpener. I’ve had it for 9 years and it has been through the ringer.
– vortrix4

The 3-stage Chef’s Choice does a far better job than I ever could. And it’s quick.
– nrnrnr

Work Sharp Precision Adjust

Affordable guided-angle sharpener using diamond and ceramic abrasives for repeatable beginner-friendly sharpening.

Mentioned 5 times in the threads we read

• Beginner-friendly fixed angle
• Good value
• Works on varied knife types

It is the easiest way to get into sharpening without spending the time to learn how to freehand sharpen on a benchstone.
– LimpCroissant

I have the basic WorkSharp precision adjust (its like $80) and it’s replaced taking my knives in to the local sharpener whom I liked that is now passed.
– unknown

Works great for my utility scissors too.
– unknown

Lansky Diamond Sharpening System

Clamp-style guided sharpener with diamond hones that gives repeatable results at modest cost.

Mentioned 6 times in the threads we read

• Repeatable sharpening angles
• Long-lasting setup
• Diamond stones speed up sharpening

I’ve had a lanky box with multiple rods I’ve used for 20 years. If I lost it I would buy another.
– _Heath

My second best recommendation is the lansky it will get a super sharp Knife every time it is just slower but it is cheap and bifl as well.
– vortrix4

I used the standard kit for years, it’s really a great little setup.
– Groundblast

Work Sharp Ken Onion Knife & Tool Sharpener

Belt-driven powered sharpener valued for fast sharpening across knives, scissors, and other tools.

Mentioned 5 times in the threads we read

• Very fast sharpening
• Works on many edge tools
• High user satisfaction

Work sharp Ken Onion. Changed my knife life. Worth every saved penny.
– kevan0317

I’ve sharpened all our kitchen knives, my pocket knives, friends knives, scissors, and even mower blades. Thing works great.
– kevan0317

Those ken onion work sharp belt sanders are actually pretty good for 90% of the work. And they are fast.
– AVLLaw

Spyderco Sharpmaker

Rod-based manual sharpener popular for simple maintenance and compact guided sharpening performance.

Mentioned 3 times in the threads we read

• Simple to use
• Compact format
• Good for maintenance sharpening

Spyderco sharpmaker
– Keljian52

Also spyderco rods is good.
– meganutsdeathpunch

Spyderco Sharpmaker.
– Nek02

HORL Knife Sharpener

Rolling magnetic angle sharpener praised for effortless use and convenient home kitchen maintenance.

Mentioned 3 times in the threads we read

• Very easy to use
• Good kitchen maintenance tool
• Well-liked by owners

Ive been using HORL for a few years now. Sharpens my knives very well.
– DeSantisIsACunt

I got a HORL and I love it.
– L1QU1D_ThUND3R

This summer I bought a Horl for my kitchen knives, and I've been REALLY impressed with it.
– ubermonkey

Back to Cookware & Kitchenware