Enter the best knife sharpener for 2025. Whether you use a German knife or a Japanese one, prefer manual or electric and have a budget that's $10 or $200, there are excellent options to choose from.

2. To sharpen a double beveled knife, such as a chef’s knife or petty knife, lay two quarters on the surface of the stone to help get the angle for the sharpening exactly right.

The key to sharpening your knife with a stone is to keep your blade at the proper angle, about 22 degrees. To eyeball it, it’s helpful to think of it as half of a 45-degree angle.

If you opt to do it at home, though, there is one crucial thing to consider: "The sharpening angle is crucial, as it directly affects a knife's sharpness, durability, and intended purpose," says Horl.

To sharpen Japanese stainless knives, start with a 400- to 600-grit stone, proceed to an 800- to 1,200-grit, and finish with a 6,000-grit. Using Japanese Water Stones ...