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Amesser A-65 vs SunrisePro Supreme Side-by-Side Comparison

Anh Ngo
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 29, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 27, 2023
The Amesser 3-stage manual knife sharpener on a cutting board, its package box, knife, chilli peppers, carrot, guavas
A hand holding a knife blade to sharpen on the Sunrise Pro manual sharpener, which stays on a cutting board.
Knife Sharpeners type
manual
manual

Our Verdict

7.6
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    6.3/10
  • Design (15%)
    9.3/10
  • Ease of Use (35%)
    8.8/10
7.2
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    7.5/10
  • Design (15%)
    8.0/10
  • Ease of Use (35%)
    6.3/10

The Amesser A-65 and the SunrisePro Supreme are both aggressive sharpeners but the former is slightly more friendly to both the user and the knife’s edge.

The Amesser, while taking off a considerable amount of material from the knife edge produced a smoother edge, as expected with more polishing stages. It also boasts a design that offers more balance and stability and is overall the easier one to work with. 

The SunrisePro was faster by a far cry and could produce a keener edge, too. However, it shaved off just as much steel as the Amesser did and performed worse in terms of edge smoothness. With a modest body and a suction base that’s quite picky of the surfaces it sticks to, it didn’t score as well on ease of use either.

Amesser A-65 3-stage Knife Sharpener’s Performance

SunrisePro Supreme Knife Sharpener’s Performance
6.3
Performance Scores
  • Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon (35%)5.2/10
  • Maximum Sharpness Achieved (20%)7.0/10
  • Edge Smoothness (20%)7.7/10
  • Material Retention (25%)6.0/10
7.5
Performance Scores
  • Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon (35%)9.6/10
  • Maximum Sharpness Achieved (20%)8.0/10
  • Edge Smoothness (20%)5.0/10
  • Material Retention (25%)6.0/10
5.2

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

9.6
  • Sharpening Time: 2 minutes
  • Cutting Feel: Swift and smooth

The Amesser clocked 120 seconds to restore a blunted blade back to use on a lemon. 

This is double the ideal time (60 seconds), but is still within acceptable ranges. It’s actually a few seconds faster than its identical cousin, the Kitchellence. If your kitchen knives are regularly maintained, you should be able to get them ready for a cooking session within 30 - 60 seconds on this sharpener.

  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute 5 seconds
  • Cutting Feel: Swift and smooth

The SunrisePro was one of the quickest handheld sharpeners to bring a knife from dullness to a lemon-slicing level of sharpness. It took it only 65 seconds in our tests. 

In fact, merely a few swipes on the device were enough for the test knife to become serviceable. That’s 10 - 20 seconds max. Include the time to get this device out of the drawer and set it up, and your whole sharpening session would still take less than 3 minutes. If you’re in a hurry or simply detest spending time doing tedious work, the SunrisePro is no doubt one of your best bets.

7.0

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

8.0
  • Sharpening Time: 6 minutes
  • Sharpness Level: 8 - (Chicken breast, two swipes)

On a ripe tomato, there was no need to apply any extra effort. The tomato split cleanly without leaving behind any trace on the chopping block.

The next checkpoint—chicken breast with skin—was a slight challenge. The test knife did well on a small piece, as indicated in the video. However, on a larger piece of breast, it failed to sever the tough skin and slippery fat in one go, hence our final score of 7.0.

  • Sharpening Time: 6 minutes
  • Sharpness Level: 8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

This device sharpens more quickly than most others, but its sharpness plateaued at the same point: the chicken breasts. The cut was not completely effortless; however, in an older version of the test, the knife repeatedly achieved this level with ease. Taking both into account, we gave the device full marks for Level 8.

7.7

Edge Smoothness

5.0
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Amesser A-65 knife sharpener

Here are the magnified shots of the test knife after sharpening with the Amesser A-65.

The edge came out straight and well polished with minimal signs of chips, burrs, or other defects. In comparison to the other handheld sharpeners we’ve experimented with so far, this sharpener did a good job of straightening and restoring the edge. And it’s no surprise that the result is almost a mirror image of what the Kitchellence produced.

SunrisePro Supreme Edge Smoothness

With only tungsten blades, it’s no surprise that the SunrisePro doesn’t create the finest edge. The edge is narrow, rough, and toothy, with deep grooves and visible chips. All this suggests sub-par retention, meaning you’ll have to sharpen your knife more often with this device. But given that it takes a little more than a minute to get it sharp, that may not be such a problem. 

Also, some users suggest using a honing strop, which we think is a great idea. Of course, that’d increase the costs.

6.0

Material Retention

6.0
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Amesser handheld knife sharpener
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Amesser handheld knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Amesser A-65 manual knife sharpener
  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute
  • Target Sharpness:

You can bet that all knife sharpeners grind away a certain amount of material from the blade to reform the edge: the only difference is the length they go to. In just one minute, the Amesser A-65 took a heavy toll on the knife’s edge, as evident by the pictures here.

We were rather astonished how this tri-stage sharpener managed to shear off almost as much metal as ones with fewer stages. Indeed, the quantity of swarf collected was somewhat similar to that produced by the Sunrise Pro and KitchenIQ.

So, if you do purchase the Amesser A-65, it’d be a good idea to use the second stage only on really dull knives. For milder cases, the ceramic rods in the third stage would suffice.

SunrisePro Supreme Material Retention
SunrisePro Supreme Material Retention
SunrisePro Material Retention
  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute
  • Target Sharpness:

The SunrisePro will shave off steel from your blade and you will see lots of swarf on the device after a heavy sharpening session. That can be disheartening, especially if yours is an expensive knife. The blade aficionados in our team almost fainted at how it completely replaced the knife’s original edge after a few months of use.

However, be gentle, don’t apply too much force, and perhaps you’ll be able to reduce unnecessary loss or at least slow down the process.

Amesser A-65 3-stage Knife Sharpener’s Design

SunrisePro Knife Sharpener’s Design
9.3
design Scores
  • Build Quality (75%)9.2/10
  • Grip (25%)9.5/10
8.0
design Scores
  • Build Quality (75%)8.0/10
  • Grip (25%)8.0/10

What’s in the Box With the Amesser A-65 Manual Knife Sharpener

What’s in the Box With the SunrisePro Supreme Knife Sharpener
The Amesser sharpener next to its package box, a glove, and promotional leaflets
  • Amesser sharpener
  • Instruction manual
  • Protection glove
  • Thank-you note

The cardboard package includes the sharpener, a cut-resistant glove, a user’s guide, and an appreciation card from the manufacturer. This product is under warranty for up to 18 months.

SunrisePro Supreme In the Box
  • The SunrisePro sharpener

The SunrisePro comes by itself in a simple clamshell package. The instructions are printed on the package.

Dimensions

The Amesser handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
  • Length:
    7.9" (20.1 cm)
  • Width:
    1.9" (4.8 cm)
  • Height:
    2.9" (7.4 cm)
  • Weight:
    6.4 oz (183 g)

SunrisePro Dimensions
  • Length:
    2.3" (5.8 cm)
  • Width:
    2.3" (5.8 cm)
  • Height:
    2.6" (6.6 cm)
  • Weight:
    2.3 oz (65 g)

At the size of a beef tomato, the SunrisePro would make a perfect on-the-go sharpener. That is if you can find a flat surface for it to stay on.

9.2

Build Quality

8.0
The Amesser’s working section, with the abrasives detached from the base
The Amesser’s working section, with the abrasives detached from the base
The base of the Amesser, when the working section has been detached
The Amesser A-65’s abrasive section as detached from the base

This sharpener is well put together and feels sturdy. Shake as hard as you might, and everything stays perfectly intact as if the whole thing is made of one solid block.

At one point, we plucked off the working section and took a quick peek inside the base. It has a metal piece attached underneath and weighs 6.44 ounces, accounting for the majority of the sharpener’s total weight.

The working section has several contact points that lock into the base and click when assembled correctly. Sadly, this part isn’t available for purchase or replacement. Once it breaks, you’ll have to toss the whole thing in the trash and get a brand-new unit.

SunrisePro Supreme Build Quality

The SunrisePro is a well-built device, even though its affordable price may suggest otherwise. It has a dense, weighty body: the only thing left to be desired is probably the size. Its suction base is also thick and solid — definitely not the flimsy type we see on cheap household appliances. 

Not a decorative piece, but it has a nice fit and finish, and is easy on the eye.

9.5

Grip

8.0
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
A hand gripping on the Amesser A-65 manual sharpener
  • Material:
    ABS plastic

In general, the Amesser’s handle offers a great sense of comfort and safety. You can skip using the glove if you want to: the handle’s material feels soft and grippy, while the size is just about perfect for a good, strong grasp. The icing on the cake is a series of finger nubs running along the handle’s length.

SunrisePro Supreme Grip
  • Material:
    ABS plastic

The Sunrise Pro doesn’t have a traditional grip. The locking arm, when pushed down, triggers the suction force at the base, which keeps the device in place while you sharpen your knives. The arm is well-built, though we imagine a bigger one would be more natural to use.

Working Section

The working section of the Amesser A-65 with 3 abrasive slots: Prep, Sharpen, and Fine
  • Levels of Sharpening:
    Prepare, Sharpen, Polish
  • Abrasive:
    Diamond-coated rods, tungsten steel blades, ceramic rods
  • Mechanism:
    Pull-through
  • Sharpening Angle:
    20°

Each stage of the working section features ordinal numbering and some visual cues that display the slot’s material and function. 

The sharpening process begins with the Prep stage whose main purpose is to straighten the knife’s edge. Following that is the middle stage, used to sharpen the edge. Meanwhile, the final stage is meant for honing or giving a slightly blunt knife some light touch-ups every once in a while. 

On the whole, the Amesser A-65 should handle most types of kitchen knives.

SunrisePro Supreme Working Section
  • Levels of Sharpening:
    Coarse
  • Abrasive:
    Metal blades
  • Mechanism:
    Pull through
  • Sharpening Angle:
    20 degrees

The Sunrise Pro has the most simple working section among all the devices we tested. It has only one sharpening slot consisting of two metal blades forming a V, attached to a V-shaped plastic supporter.

Base

SunrisePro Manual Knife Sharpener’s Base
The Amesser A-65 knife sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
The Amesser A-65 knife sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
Close-up view of the Amesser sharpener’s base pad
The Amesser A-65 manual sharpener on a salt-sprinkled surface, its base in full view
  • Material:
    ABS plastic
  • Feet Type:
    Non-slip rubber base

The Amesser’s base is a checker-patterned pad that gradually tapers toward the direction of the handle. The pattern helps with creating friction and thus preventing the device from sliding across the countertop during sharpening; however, it does pick up residue and specks of dirt.

SunrisePro Supreme Base
  • Material:
    Silicone
  • Feet Type:
    Suction cup

We have mixed feelings about the base. It’s shockingly good when it works — the silicone absorbs some of the downward pressure from your sharpening, keeping the force steady while also suctioning hard onto the countertop, preventing shaking or slipping. However, it’s rather picky when it comes to the type of surfaces it sticks to.

Tip: If it’s a spotless surface and the suction cup is not working, spreading some water underneath it may sometimes help. We found through testing, however, that this tip can be a little hit or miss.

Ease of Use

Amesser 3-stage Knife Sharpener Review

SunrisePro Supreme Knife Sharpener Review: Ease of Use
8.8
usability Scores
  • Slot Arrangement (10%)10/10
  • Insertion (20%)9.0/10
  • Pulling Through (10%)9.5/10
  • Stability on a Clean Surface (40%)9.0/10
  • Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface (20%)7.5/10
6.3
usability Scores
  • Slot Arrangement (10%)10/10
  • Insertion (20%)7.5/10
  • Pulling Through (10%)6.0/10
  • Stability on a Clean Surface (40%)6.5/10
  • Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface (20%)3.0/10
10

Slot Arrangement

10
The working section on the Amesser A-65, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods

Like the majority of handheld sharpeners, the slot structure advances from left to right. Each slot has some handy visual cues as a brief introduction to help cooks identify its function and feature. These fine prints are easy to read and they eliminate any unnecessary guesswork that may arise in the process.

SunrisePro Supreme Slot Arrangement

The SunrisePro has only one sharpening section with two tungsten carbide blades. It’s placed on top of the device, with two plastic supporters right behind to stabilize it. There’s an arrow and the words ‘Draw this way’ engraved on the working section, so it’s almost impossible to get it wrong.

9.0

Insertion

7.5
Amesser A-65 Manual Knife Sharpener Insertion 1
Amesser A-65 Manual Knife Sharpener Insertion 1
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser A-65, the sharpener being held in one hand

The entries into the sharpening slots are just wide and deep enough to accommodate the blade properly but not comfortably. During the course of the test, there were occasional bumps here and there when positioning the knife into the slots.

We also noticed some wiggle room between the abrasives, resulting in the knife leaning and jigging sideways. This was also the reason why we sometimes had trouble keeping our draw straight, as you can see from these overhead shots.

SunrisePro Supreme Insertion

On other devices where the working section consists of slots, there are wider openings that guide your blade to the V shape blades down below. The SunrisePro’s protruding sharpening blades that look like a bird’s beak are not supported by those ‘guides’, so knife insertion is slightly more difficult. Our advice is to take your time to place your knife into the middle of the slot. Do not rush or you’ll cut into the plastic frame or risk damaging the delicate edge by knocking it against the tungsten blades.

9.5

Pulling Through

6.0
A hand holding the Amesser knife sharpener and sharpening a kitchen knife with it

On the whole, the abrasives were tight and solid. The first two stages actually felt a little heavy at times due to the nature of the material. 

It’s unlikely that you’ll overshoot the blade and cut into parts of the device by mistake—the plastic frame is far enough below the abrasives to prevent that.

The amount of resistance depends on how much force you assert, but generally, you’ll have to apply quite a bit while sharpening with the SunrisePro. We tried sharpening using only the weight of the test chef’s knife and the movement was so effortless we didn’t feel the device was working.

On the other hand, use too much force and it’ll return almost a serrated edge. Also, the amount of metal you’d see left behind in the working section would be devastating.

9.0

Stability on a Clean Surface

6.5
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener, with the user’s two hands visible

Save for some slight backward tilts, the Amesser barely moved at all. Thanks to its well-proportioned body, this sharpener was firm, steady, and stable. For the most part, you shouldn’t encounter any discernible problem with the device’s stability on a clean surface.

The SunrisePro comes with a silicone suction cup serving as a base and a locking arm to secure it. It’s awesome while it works; on the right surface, the suction cup sticksto the extent that it feels like it’s an extension of the surface. 

The tricky part is that it requires a completely flat and smooth surface, such as a spotless glass or marble countertop. Also, the suction wears out after a few minutes. That can be frustrating if you’re binge sharpening your knives, but if you’re only randomly working on one, it’s not going to be a huge problem.

7.5

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

3.0
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop

Prior to this test, we splashed a spoonful of oil and salt on the countertop surface to create an exaggerated mimicry of a real-life messy cooking area. The sharpener lost its footing, slipping and inching away from the original spot after just a few pulls.

The SunrisePro’s suction cup is useless on a countertop sprayed with oil and salt. We did give it a 5 because it can be held without wobbling — the cylinder shape and its short figure help. It being very small, however, means that you have to be extra careful not to misplace your knife and cut yourself while sharpening with it.