Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Knife Sharpener (Model 4643)
8.3/ 10
Editorial score
Angles
9.0
Ease of use
8.0
Abrasives
8.5
Size & care
7.5
Why this score?
Angles & knife types · 9.0
Separate 15 and 20 degree slots; polishing slot also handles serrated knives
Ease of use · 8.0
Manual pull-through needs no power but relies on steady strokes
Abrasives & finish · 8.5
100% diamond abrasives across three stages
Size, upkeep & warranty · 7.5
Compact 9.25 inch body; only a one-year limited warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forHomes with both Western and Japanese-style knives
A three-slot manual pull-through sharpener with 100% diamond abrasives: one slot for 15-degree knives, one for 20-degree knives and a third that polishes both and handles serrated blades. It needs no power and the handle works for right- or left-handed use.
Strengths
Separate 15° and 20° slots, plus a polishing slot that also takes serrated knives
No power needed; handle designed for right- or left-handed use
Weaknesses
Only a one-year limited warranty
Manual pull-through, so it relies on steady, even strokes
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
9.25" W x 2.38" D x 2.25" H
Material
100% diamond abrasives; soft-touch handle
Edge angles
15° (Asian double-bevel) and 20° (European/American)
Knife types
Straight-edge and serrated; kitchen, pocket and most sporting knives
Fixed 20 degree angle; no 15 degree setting; kitchen knives only, serrated included
Ease of use · 8.0
Simple two-step pull-through for quick touch-ups
Abrasives & finish · 7.0
Carbide slot sets edge, fine ceramic wheel hones it
Size, upkeep & warranty · 9.0
Under 5 inches, 2.4 oz, 3-year warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forQuick touch-ups on a tight budget
A small two-step pull-through sharpener: a carbide slot sets a 20-degree convex edge, then a fine ceramic honing wheel refines it and hones serrations. Work Sharp says it handles chef, slicing, paring and serrated bread knives.
Strengths
Very compact at just under 5 in. long and 2.4 oz
Ceramic wheel hones serrated bread knives as well as straight edges
Weaknesses
Fixed 20° angle only, so no dedicated 15° setting for Japanese-style knives
Kitchen knives only; Work Sharp says it is not for pocketknives or scissors
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Just under 5 in. long
Material
Convex carbide sharpener and fine ceramic honing wheel
15 or 20 degrees via magnetic support; straight edges only, no serrated listed
Ease of use · 8.5
Magnetic angle support gives a repeatable guided angle
Abrasives & finish · 8.5
Diamond disc to sharpen, ceramic disc to hone; exchangeable discs
Size, upkeep & warranty · 7.5
Compact 5.2 inch walnut body; highest price, no warranty listed
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forCooks who want a guided, giftable premium tool
A solid-walnut rolling sharpener made in Germany's Black Forest. A magnetic angle support holds the knife at 15 or 20 degrees while you roll a diamond disc, then a ceramic disc, along the edge. Discs swap with a Quick Lock twist.
Strengths
Magnetic angle support gives a repeatable 15° or 20° angle
Diamond disc for sharpening plus ceramic disc for honing; discs are exchangeable
Weaknesses
Highest price of our picks
Only two angles (15°/20°); the HORL 3 Pro is needed for other angles
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
5.2" L x 4.7" W x 2.6" H (Amazon listing)
Material
Solid walnut wood
Edge angles
15° and 20° (magnetic angle support)
Abrasives
Diamond disc (pre-installed) and ceramic honing disc
Knife types
Kitchen, outdoor and pocket knives (straight edge)
Spring guides hold the angle; sharpens in about a minute
Abrasives & finish · 9.0
Diamond stage then stropping disks for a triple-bevel edge
Size, upkeep & warranty · 6.5
10 inch wide, 4.4 lb, needs an outlet; 3-year warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forFast, hands-off sharpening for busy cooks
A three-stage electric sharpener that uses diamond abrasives, then refines and polishes to a triple-bevel 15-degree edge, with spring guides holding the angle. It converts 20-degree factory edges to 15 degrees and handles straight and serrated blades in about a minute.
Strengths
Spring guides hold the angle, so results don't depend on technique
Sharpens straight-edge and serrated knives; 3-year limited warranty
Weaknesses
Sharpens to 15° only and converts 20° edges, so no option to keep a 20° edge
Needs counter space and an outlet (10 in. wide, about 4.4 lb)
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
10" W x 4.25" D x 4.25" H
Material
100% diamond abrasives (stage 1); stropping disks for polishing
Edge angle
15° (Trizor XV triple bevel); converts 20° edges to 15°
Knife types
Straight-edge and serrated, including Asian-style kitchen knives
15 and 17 degree guides included, 20/25 sold separately; no serrated listed
Ease of use · 6.0
Takes more time and practice than pull-through or electric
Abrasives & finish · 8.5
1000 grit to restore and 6000 grit to polish in one stone
Size, upkeep & warranty · 6.5
2 lb; soaking and cleanup needed; 3-year warranty
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forLearning whetstone sharpening with some guidance
A dual-grit 1000/6000 water stone in a water-control base with anti-skid feet. Removable 15-degree and 17-degree angle guides help you keep a steady angle while you learn.
Strengths
1000 grit to restore an edge and 6000 grit to polish it, in one stone
Included 15° and 17° angle guides; 20° and 25° guides sold separately
Weaknesses
Takes more time and practice than a pull-through or electric sharpener
Wet sharpening means soaking and cleanup
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Stone 180 x 60 mm (about 7 1/4 x 2 3/8 in.)
Material
1000 and 6000 grit corundum (aluminum oxide) water stone
Edge angles
15° and 17° guides included (20°/25° guides sold separately)
1000 and 6000 grit corundum (aluminum oxide) water stone
Kitchen and pocket knives
OUR METHOD
How we scored
Manufacturer specs, not hands-on tests. Each pick is rated out of 10 on four things:
30%Angles & knife types
25%Ease of use
25%Abrasives & finish
20%Size, upkeep & warranty
What to look for in a knife sharpener
Match the edge angleWestern knives near 20 degrees, Japanese-style closer to 15
Decide how much skillpull-through sets the angle, whetstones give control but need practice
Check serrated-knife supportnot every sharpener handles serrated blades, so check the listing
Frequently asked questions
What is the best kitchen knife sharpener?
The Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Sharpener is the best overall pick because it has separate 15-degree and 20-degree slots plus a polishing slot that also handles serrated knives. It suits homes with both Western and Japanese-style knives and needs no power. The best choice for you depends on whether you want a pull-through, electric, whetstone or guided rolling sharpener.
What angle should I sharpen my kitchen knives at?
Most Western knives use a 20-degree edge and many Japanese-style knives use 15 degrees, so match the sharpener to the knife. The Chef'sChoice 4643 and HORL 3 offer both 15° and 20°, the Work Sharp Kitchen Edge sharpens at 20°, and the Chef'sChoice 15XV sharpens everything to 15°, converting 20° edges. The Work Sharp Whetstone includes 15° and 17° guides.
Is an electric knife sharpener better than a manual one?
An electric model mainly saves effort and guesswork. The Chef'sChoice 15XV uses spring guides and three stages and sharpens in about a minute, but it only makes 15° edges and needs an outlet. A manual pull-through like the Chef'sChoice 4643 needs no power, is far smaller and offers both 15° and 20° slots.
Is a whetstone hard to use for beginners?
A whetstone gives you the most control, but holding a steady angle takes practice. The Work Sharp Whetstone helps with removable 15° and 17° angle guides and a water-control base, pairing a 1000-grit side for sharpening with a 6000-grit side for polishing. If you want guidance without freehand skill, the HORL 3's magnetic angle support is another option.
