Work Sharp Professional Electric Culinary E5 Kitchen Knife Sharpener

Why it's worth it

This is the only kitchen sharpener that uses flexible abrasive belts, the same way manufacturers grind edges at the factory. The belt follows the curve of your blade instead of forcing it onto a fixed wheel, and a built-in vacuum catches the grit as you work.

Belts follow the blade; wheels make the blade follow them. A flexible belt wraps slightly around the edge as you draw the knife through, so it tracks the belly curve and leaves a subtly convex grind rather than a flat one. Cooks who pay attention to edge geometry prefer that shape, because there's more steel supporting the edge and it rolls and chips less in hard use.

Three programs, and it shuts itself off. Shape, sharpen, and hone cover everything from a badly neglected blade to a weekly touch-up, and each cycle finishes in well under 90 seconds and stops on its own. Over-sharpening is one of the easiest ways to ruin an edge with an electric machine. This one just won't let you keep going.

From our review of 7 knife sharpeners, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +Belts follow the blade; wheels make the blade follow them
• +Three programs, and it shuts itself off
• +The built-in vacuum is the part you'll appreciate every time
• +It'll sharpen more than knives

What to know

• –Belts wear out, so you're buying supplies forever
• –It's a stretch unless you already know why you want it