Chef's Choice 4643 vs. Mueller 4-Stage Manual Sharpener: How They Stack Up

Overall Verdict

Ranking by

Showing: 2/2 Items

The Chef’s Choice 4643 may be double the price of the Mueller 4-stage sharpener but our test results revealed the latter to be the more effective one.

The Chef’s Choice 4643 has a great design. Though lightweight, it sports four rubber feet that keep it well balanced and in place during the hardest pulls. In terms of stability, the Mueller is okay but it does depend on its heavy weight and the tall body doesn’t particularly help either.

That being said, the Mueller fared much better in speed and sharpness. The Chef’s Choice 4643’s unconventional disc design, while performing well at preserving knife material, couldn’t bring a keen edge to it.

Pros & Cons

Works with 20° and 15° edges
Compatible with serrated blades
Grippy handle
Neat, ergonomic overall design

Strong construction, pretty coloring
Quick sharpening
Scissor slot
Ease of use

Expensive price
Awkward slot layout

High center of gravity
Harsh on the knife edge

Key Specs

Stages

Scissor sharpener

Yes

Abrasives

Diamond discs

Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic

Grit size

Coarse, Fine

Coarse, Medium, Fine

Dimensions

L9.3 x W2.0 x H2.8 inches

L9.3 x W1.8 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication

$51.51

$12.35

Check Price on Amazon

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring

4.3

6.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0

8.8

Sharpening Time

4 minutes

1 minute 15 seconds

Cutting Feel

Slightly heavy

Swift and smooth

Material Retention

7.0

5.0

A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Chef's Choice AngleSelect sharpener

Medal dust on the abrasive slots of the Mueller steel knife sharpener

Sharpening Time

1 minute

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

6.0

8.0

Sharpening Time

6 minutes

Sharpness Level

7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)

8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

5.2

4.0

Close up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Chef's Choice AngleSelect

Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and knife edge after sharpening with the Mueller knife sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring

9.3

9.1

In the Box

The Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener next to its plastic case

The Mueller 4-stage knife sharpener lying next to its package box, user guide, and promotion leaflets

Dimensions

Length

9.3" (23.6 cm)

Width

2.0" (5.1 cm)

1.8" (4.6 cm)

Height

2.8" (7.1 cm)

3.1" (7.9 cm)

Weight

6.6 oz (187 g)

8.6 oz (244 g)

Build Quality

9.0

9.1

The Chef’s Choice 4643 sharpener disassembled on a cutting board, with a lemon slice

The Chef’s Choice 4643 sharpener disassembled on a cutting board

The Mueller sharpener standing on a surface

Working Section

Top view of the abrasive slots of the Mueller handheld sharpener, with scissor slot, tungsten blades, diamond rods, and ceramic rods

Levels of Sharpening

Coarse, Fine

Sharpen (slot 1, 2, 3), Hone (slot 4)

Abrasive

Diamond-coated disks

Tungsten carbide blades, diamond rods, ceramic rods

Mechanism

Pull through

Sharpening Angle

15° & 20°

20 degree

Base

The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener

One of the feet underneath the Chef's Choice sharpener

The Mueller sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view

Material

Synthetic rubber

ABS plastic

Feet Type

Slip-proof sole (x 4)

Anti-slip rubber pads

Grip

9.0

A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener

The grip of the Mueller steel knife sharpener and part of its body

Material

Rubber

ABS plastic and rubber

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring

8.4

8.2

Slot Arrangement

7.0

The Chef’s Choice 4643 manual knife sharpener viewed from the side

The working section on the Mueller handheld sharpener, with 1 slot for scissors and slots 2, 3, 4 for knives

Insertion

8.5

9.0

Close up view of the Chef’s Choice sharpener’s sharpening slots 1, 2, and 3

The working section on the Chef's Choice, with 3 slots featuring diamond-coated abrasive discs

Top view of a kitchen knife in one of the Mueller’s abrasive slots, the sharpener being held by one hand

Pulling Through

8.5

7.5

One of the abrasive slots on the Chef’s Choice 4643 with cutting marks on it

2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Mueller sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.5

8.5

2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice sharpener

1 hand holding a knife and sharpening it with the Mueller on a countertop, the Mueller held in another hand

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0

8.0

2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice on a salt-sprinkled countertop

A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Mueller sharpener on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles

Behind the Comparison

Anh NgoSenior Editorial Director

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 VoTest Lead

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.

Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.