Amesser A-65 vs. Sharpal 191H Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison
The Amesser A-65 may not be as quick as the Sharpal 191H sharpener but it’s much easier to work with. Check our detailed comparison.
Specifications
Design
While the Amesser A-65 isn’t among our best performing sharpeners, it’s certainly one of the best built. The unit feels solid and sturdy from start to finish. The parts fit well together and the grip is only half a point shy of the perfect mark.
The Sharpal has a cool look, and important parts such as the lever and base appear to be made with high-quality materials. However, we think a larger size and more substantial weight would serve it better.
Usability
The Amesser A-65 is straightforward to use since it doesn’t have any quirky features to be wary of. With the sharpening order progressing in a natural flow, you should have no trouble following the steps. And while the result didn’t turn out particularly well for the slippery countertop test, it represented more of a slight drawback that many people could see coming rather than a serious dealbreaker.
Effective use of the Sharpal may involve a small learning curve: You’ll have to learn the right direction to pull your knife, what kinds of surfaces are suitable, and how much water you should add to maximize the suction cup’s effectiveness. But even after all that, a smooth sharpening experience wouldn't be guaranteed.
Performance
The Amesser A-65 will certainly make a dull edge keener, though admittedly not to a remarkable level, and leave a nice, smooth edge. On the other hand, it does shear off more metal from the blade than you would expect given the achieved sharpness.
The Sharpal can rejuvenate your dull knife, leaving it capable of carrying out most food prep tasks, but it takes a while to get there. It also creates a finer edge than most other two-stage devices despite removing quite an alarming amount of steel from the blade.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Instinctive and easy to use
- Well-built with a solid design
- Grippy and comfortable handle
- Safety glove included
- Small footprint
- Affordable price
- One-handed sharpening (when the base works)
- Tapered base
- High center of gravity
- Suction cup only works on particular surfaces
- Ceramic blades don’t seem to work
Conclusion
While they couldn’t look more different from each other, the Amesser A-65 and the Sharpal 191H performed to quite similar levels.
Despite having one less sharpening slot, the Sharpal proved to be faster and more effective in our tests and slightly outdid the Amesser in material retention too. However, the margins in all those three categories were modest. The two also ended up with close scores on edge smoothness.
When it comes to design and ease of use, the Amesser definitely has the upper hand. Its conventional full body makes it easy to grab and work with, whereas the Sharpal’s cylindrical shape and unstable suction base makes sharpening challenging if not dangerous. For that reason, the Amesser ended up with a higher overall rating.
Behind the Comparison
Anh Ngo is a writer with 9 years experience at different media outlets, covering from public news and events to product testing and analysis. At HealthyKitchen101, she works across different departments, communicating closely with its network of writers, editors, and health, tech, and search engine experts to provide a meaningful and pleasant reading experience for visitors.
Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.
