Chef's Choice 4643 vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener: When You Don’t Get What You Pay for

Overall Verdict

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The Chef's Choice 4643 and the Zwilling are multi-angle sharpeners and both belong to the more expensive side of the price spectrum. Unfortunately, neither offered a performance to match its price.

Each took 4 and 3 minutes respectively to complete our speed test, against an average of a few seconds over 2 minutes. They both produced a sharper edge but not to any significant degree. The former fared better in terms of material retention while the latter produced a smoother and straighter edge.

The Chef's Choice 4643 enjoys better stability thanks to its wide base and low center of gravity. The Zwilling sharpener, while seemingly made of premium materials, features a narrow body that kept threatening to tip over during sharpening.

Pros & Cons

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

Substantial weight
Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
Strong build, high-quality body material
Slot cover
Beautiful design

Expensive price
Awkward slot layout

Brittle sharpening blades
Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
Awkward grip

Key Specs

Stages

Scissor sharpener

Abrasives

Diamond discs

Ceramic discs

Grit size

Coarse, Fine

Dimensions

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

L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication

$51.51

$29.53

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring

4.3

4.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0

Sharpening Time

4 minutes

3 minutes

Cutting Feel

Slightly heavy

Slightly forced

Material Retention

7.0

6.0

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

Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife sharpener

A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the Zwilling sharpener

Sharpening Time

1 minute

Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

6.0

7.0

ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video

ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1

Sharpening Time

6 minutes

Sharpness Level

7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)

8 - (Chicken breast with skin, 2 swipes)

Edge Smoothness

5.2

7.3

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 edge after sharpening with the Zwilling

Design

Overall Design Scoring

9.3

7.5

In the Box

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

The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual

Dimensions

Length

9.3" (23.6 cm)

Width

2.0" (5.1 cm)

1.7" (4.3 cm)

Height

2.8" (7.1 cm)

3.1" (7.9 cm)

Weight

6.6 oz (187 g)

11.2 oz (318 g)

Build Quality

9.0

7.8

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 Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

Working Section

Levels of Sharpening

Coarse, Fine

Sharpen, Polish

Abrasive

Diamond-coated disks

Ceramic blades

Mechanism

Pull through

Sharpening Angle

15° & 20°

15 degrees, 10 degrees

Base

The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener

One of the feet underneath the Chef's Choice sharpener

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

The Zwilling sharpener’s base and base pad

Material

Synthetic rubber

Plastic

Feet Type

Slip-proof sole (x 4)

EVA pad

Grip

6.5

A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener

The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage knife sharpener

A hand holding the Zwilling knife sharpener and a hand resting on the table

Material

Rubber

ABS, EVA

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 Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian 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 knife being sharpened with the Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in 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 Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.5

7.5

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

2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0

6.0

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

2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop

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.