Do you have a favorite kitchen knife that you love to use, but it's not quite as sharp as you'd like it to be? Or maybe you've just started getting into cooking and need to purchase your first knife sharpener? If so, then you're in the right place!

In this blog post, we will be discussing the best knife sharpener on the market for home use - the Apex Model Edge Pro Sharpening System. This professional knife sharpener is incredibly easy to use and will help keep your knives razor-sharp!

Is A Sharp Knife Necessary?

It's important to understand the importance of having a sharp knife when cooking. Not only does it make cutting easier, but it also reduces the risk of injury.

A dull blade is difficult to work with and can be dangerous. This is because a dull knife requires more force to make a cut and can easily slip off target, which could lead to serious injury if not handled properly. A sharp knife, on the other hand, requires much less force to make a cut, giving you more control over the knife.

On top of that, most chefs will tell you that a sharp knife is essential for producing even cuts and slices - something that's impossible to achieve with a dull blade. So, if you're serious about cooking, then having a sharp knife is essential.

Knife Sharpener vs Buying New Knives

Many people believe that it's cheaper to just buy new knives when they get dull, rather than investing in a knife sharpener. However, the reality is that a knife sharpener will save you money in the long run. Not only do most high-quality sharpeners last for years, but they also work on multiple types of knives.

Moreover, most professional knife sharpening systems are easy to use, making the task of sharpening your own knives simple and quick. Plus, having a sharpener on hand means that you can keep your knives in perfect condition without having to wait for them to get dull before replacing them.

Different Types of Knife Sharpeners

When it comes to knife sharpeners, there are a variety of options available. From whetstone to electric sharpeners - there is something for everyone! Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to understand which one is best for your needs before investing.

Electric sharpeners

Many electric sharpeners use either two or three stages of the process: coarse grit for really dull blades followed by finer stones that refine sharpness. When powered on, the device spins the stones while users run their knife through slots to sharpen. Many come with guides to assist with the sharpening angle.

Unfortunately, electric knife sharpeners can be quite expensive, are not suitable for every type of knife, and can significantly reduce the lifespan of the knife. This is because they offer less control when grinding the edge — shaving away more metal than most sharpeners— which can wear down blades quickly.

Pros

• User-friendly
• fast
• Low effort/ low skill required

Cons

• Shortens the knife's lifespan significantly
• Require a power source
• Bulky
• Less control over the angle (which matters depending on the type of knife you're sharpening)

Handheld sharpeners

The most affordable option is a handheld knife sharpener. Handheld knife sharpeners have fewer slots than electric ones, making them more limited in terms of sharpening capability. However, their main advantage is portability.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Simple to learn
• Relatively inexpensive
• Portable

Cons

• Has set angles that can't be adjusted
• Not for reprofiling.
• Slower than other options
• Limited capabilities

Honing steel

A honing steel is a long rod of steel, also referred to as a kitchen steel or butcher's steel, that has a handle for easy use. Its surface can be either smooth, ridge-like, or diamond coated.

Smooth steels are mainly used to ‘realign’ and straighten the blade edge after it has been sharpened. This works by straightening out bent and rolled edges of the blade, which helps retain sharpness for longer. Diamond coated steels are coarse and fracture metal at the edge of the knife. The fractured metal is sharp which makes the knife cut better. However, these fractured pieces of steel quickly fall away from the knife and eventually leave you with a very blunt edge.

Pros

• Fairly easy to use
• Inexpensive
• Lightweight and easy to store

Cons

• Does not actually sharpen dull knives
• Results only last for a short period of time

Bench stones, whetstones, and sharpening stones

Using a sharpening stone is one of the most popular ways to keep your knife blades razor-sharp. Sharpening stones come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from tiny pocket-sized versions to large bench stones. They take a lot of time to master, but can be worth the effort.

Pros

• Great for sharpening multiple tools
• Extremely flexible due to angle adjustment capabilities

Cons

• High skill level required
• Takes practice to get efficient
• Must have a steady hand

Guided sharpening systems

Skip the practice and go straight to the benefits. Guided sharpening systems have all the benefits of bench stones, whetstones, and sharpening stones, but without the guesswork. These systems come with guides that allow you to sharpen at a fixed angle, ensuring perfect sharpening every time.

Pros

• Incredibly efficient
• Easy to learn
• Flexibility with angle adjustments
• All the grits you need to get started
• Accurate/consistent results

Cons

• While it takes much less time to learn than by doing it freehand, it still requires a little bit of practice to get started

What Type of Sharpener You Should Get

For anyone who is looking for the best kitchen knife sharpener, it's important to know the different types available and what they can do.

Essentially, electric sharpeners offer convenience but cannot be used on all types of knives. Handheld sharpeners are great for portability but don't offer as much control over sharpening as other options. Honing steels are great for keeping edges straight and realigned but don't offer much in terms of sharpening. And finally, bench stones, whetstones, and sharpening stones can take a lot of practice to master.

If you're looking for the best knife sharpeners that will provide excellent performance without sacrificing convenience, it may be best to go with a guided sharpening system.

The Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener on the Market

The Apex Model Edge Pro Sharpening System is the perfect choice for those who are looking for an easy-to-use, yet professional knife sharpener.

What's Included

For years, the Edge Pro Apex has been the go-to sharpener for high-end knives among enthusiasts. The Apex model is available in 4 different kits, with the most affordable being the Apex 1.

The Apex 1 system comes with everything you need to keep your knife in tip-top condition. It includes the main sharpener, two water stones (220 grit medium fine and 400 grit fine), a microfiber towel, a water bottle for keeping your stones wet, an instructional manual, and a Cordura carrying case for easy storage and transportation.

The Apex 2 kit has everything from the Apex 1 as well as a 600 grit water stone, and a 8” ceramic hone. If you're new to knife sharpening or just want something a bit more comprehensive, then the Apex 2 is the way to go.

The Apex 3 adds 120-grit and 100-grit stones while the Apex 4 adds 2000 and 3000-grit polishing tape and 2 mounting blanks on top of that.

And because the Apex Model Edge Pro Sharpening System also includes a water bottle and microfiber towel, you can quickly clean off the blade after each stroke.

How To Use It

This sharpening system is easy to use and requires no prior experience.

To get started, attach the base of the device to a table either by suction cups or an optional bench mount and adjust it accordingly to any sized blades up to 3 ½ inches wide.

The guided rod setup features two pieces, the vertical which slots into the base and locks in the sharpening angle, and the horizontal which holds the stone in place.

Why The Apex Edge Pro is Superior

1. By having the edge of the blade face you while sharpening, it's easier to see the edge taking shape. This also means that you won't remove more metal than needed from your knives, making them last longer.

2. Most sharpeners require a clamp to stabilize the blade during sharpening, but this system forgoes that feature. This gives you the ability to achieve lower sharpening angles, sharpen blades of any length, and accommodate various blade shapes - all without a pesky clamp getting in your way.

3. The best customer service team in the business. Edge Pro Inc, which sells Apex kits, offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and lifetime warranty, meaning your investment is always safe.

Final Thoughts

Struggling with a dull knife in the kitchen? If you want the best knife sharpening system available, look no further than the Apex Model Edge Pro Sharpening System. With this easy-to-use sharpening tool, you can quickly restore your blade to its peak performance. This system is designed to sharpen any type of blade quickly and easily, making it the perfect choice for busy chefs or home cooks who want the best results.