Our recommendations are made independently through Research & Testing. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.

Gorilla Grip vs. Chef's Choice 4643 Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

Anh Ngo
Reviewer
Nguyen Ntk
Visual Specialist
Updated
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 31, 2023
Tested Using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 31, 2023
The Gorilla Grip manual knife sharpener on a cutting board, its package box, chilli peppers, carrot, tomato slices
The Chef’s Choice 4643 knife sharpener
Knife Sharpeners type
manual
manual

Our Verdict

7.5
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    6.5/10
  • Design (15%)
    8.8/10
  • Ease of Use (35%)
    8.3/10
6.5
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)
    4.3/10
  • Design (15%)
    9.3/10
  • Ease of Use (35%)
    8.4/10

We really loved the design of the Chef's Choice 4643 EdgeSelect sharpener, but certainly got better results with the Gorilla Grip.

The Chef’s Choice 4643 enjoys excellent balance and stability thanks to its wide base and low center of gravity. It also sports a sizable and grippy handle, which adds even more ease of use points. Its sharpening wheels, unfortunately, didn’t really give very noticeable improvements to the knife’s edge. 

The Gorilla Grip isn’t as stable; on the other hand, it’s a lot more serviceable. It brought the knife to one whole sharpness level higher than the Chef’s Choice did within the same period of time. It also took less than half the time to restore a dull edge in our sharpness test. 

Granted, the Gorilla Grip was more destructive to the knife’s edge, but in the end, it’s still a better choice for getting the job done more efficiently.

Gorilla Grip Kitchen Knife Sharpener’s Performance

Chef's Choice Manual Knife Sharpener’s Performance
6.5
Performance Scores
  • Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon (35%)7.6/10
  • Maximum Sharpness Achieved (20%)8.0/10
  • Edge Smoothness (20%)5.0/10
  • Material Retention (25%)5.0/10
4.3
Performance Scores
  • Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon (35%)1.0/10
  • Maximum Sharpness Achieved (20%)6.0/10
  • Edge Smoothness (20%)5.2/10
  • Material Retention (25%)7.0/10
7.6

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0
  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute 30 seconds
  • Cutting Feel: Swift and smooth

We spent 15 seconds on the Prepare slot, 1 minute on the Sharpen slot, plus 15 seconds on the Polish slot. The dull test knife came out keen enough to slice through the lemon without us applying significant force. 

If you’re in a hurry, five or six swipes on the second slot should be enough to bring a regular chef’s knife to serviceable sharpness.

  • Sharpening Time: 4 minutes
  • Cutting Feel: Slightly heavy

The Chef’s Choice took its sweet time to sharpen and was consistently among the slower ones in all our test attempts. It took a whopping 4 minutes to bring the test knife from uselessly blunt to adequately usable on a lemon. Even then, the knife needed a little more force than usual to execute the cut. You’d get better results within the same time using a whetstone.

We wouldn’t count on this one as a convenient sharpener to prep our knife before a cooking session.

8.0

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

6.0
  • Sharpening Time: 6 minutes
  • Sharpness Level: 8 (chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

We spent a total of 5 minutes on the tungsten carbide blades and 30 seconds on each of the remaining stages. 

The Gorilla Grip sliced through ripe tomatoes and chicken breasts with skin with minimal resistance, though the slippery chicken skin did slow it down a bit. It took two to three rather heavy swipes to sever a piece of beef tendon. However, at this sharpness level, your knives shouldn’t have a problem performing most cutting tasks.

  • Sharpening Time: 6 minutes
  • Sharpness Level: 7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)

The blade had no trouble slicing its way through a ripe tomato in one swift motion. The chicken breast posed much more difficulty: Its slippery skin made it impossible for the test knife to slice clean-off in one go. Two rather heavy attempts were needed to sever the pieces, so we decided to keep the Sharpness Level at 7 instead of 8-.

This sharpness level should allow your knives to complete most food prep tasks with mild effort, but we usually expect more from a device with such a high price tag. We can’t count the number of sharpeners that cost one half or even one third of its price that can offer a better performance.

5.0

Edge Smoothness

5.2
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Gorilla Grip

Despite their substantial size, the ceramic rods in the Polish slot did not seem to help with smoothening and polishing the knife edge.

The aggressive removal of steel is evident on the knife’s edge — the tungsten carbide blades created small but deep waves along it. These waves should not have any negative effect on your cutting experience, but they are unsightly and will bother you if you’re a knife connoisseur. 

Also, if your knife is made of a particularly hard steel, the uneven thickness of the edge may make it more prone to chipping.

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

Chef’s Choice advertises ‘two distinct facets set at different angles that form a longer lasting, arch-shaped edge’. The sharpener indeed created what looks like a double edge on our test knife. 

Unfortunately, while the secondary edge emerged sharp and convincing, the abrasives’ effects on the primary edge were so subtle they were unrecognizable even under a magnifying lens. The discs on the Honing slot were either too fine to make a difference or were placed at an angle that did not allow contact with the knife edge. 

That explains the lack of sharpness on the test knife—the secondary edge helps, but it can only do so much.

5.0

Material Retention

7.0
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Gorilla Grip knife sharpener
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Gorilla Grip knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Gorilla Grip sharpener
  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute
  • Target Sharpness:

The Gorilla Grip is aggressive: It removed a great amount of metal off the blade during the one minute we sharpened the knife with it. The Prepare slot doesn’t seem to do too much to minimize the peeling during the next stage. 

Given how quickly the device sharpens, we don’t recommend more than a few swipes on the Sharpen slot unless your knife is really dull.

A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Chef's Choice AngleSelect sharpener
  • Sharpening Time: 1 minute
  • Target Sharpness:

The Chef’s Choice 4643 took off more steel from the test knife than its sharpness suggested, but the amount wasn’t significant. As typical of wheel-type sharpeners, the residue was fine dust rather than coarse shavings, suggesting highly controlled grinding.

Gorilla Grip’s Design

Chef's Choice 4643 Manual Knife Sharpener’s Design
8.8
design Scores
  • Build Quality (75%)8.5/10
  • Grip (25%)9.5/10
9.3
design Scores
  • Build Quality (75%)9.0/10
  • Grip (25%)10/10

What’s in the Box With the Gorilla Grip Kitchen Knife Sharpener

What’s in the Box With the Chef's Choice 4643 Knife Sharpener
The Gorilla Grip sharpener on top of its package box with the instruction manual on the left side
  • Gorilla Grip sharpener
  • Care and use instructions

The Gorilla Grip sharpener comes in a neat cardboard box with detailed instructions on how to use and maintain it. The Amazon photos really don’t do it justice: The actual device looks much sleeker, and the almond color is lighter too. It’s also easy to find your favorite color among its nine color options.

The Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener next to its plastic case
  • Chef’s Choice 4643 AngleSelect Knife Sharpener
  • 1 x instruction manual

The Chef’s Choice snugly fits into a plastic blister pack with a user’s guide included (which is also available online). The package can pop open quite easily, so there’s no need to cut it with scissors.

Besides the sharpening techniques, the manual also guides you on how to test the knife’s sharpness, and provides helpful tips to keep your knives in their best condition.

Dimensions

The Gorilla Grip handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
  • Length:
    7.9" (20.1 cm)
  • Width:
    1.9" (4.8 cm)
  • Height:
    3.0" (7.6 cm)
  • Weight:
    6.6 oz (187 g)

The Chef's Choice 4643 handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
  • Length:
    9.3" (23.6 cm)
  • Width:
    2.0" (5.1 cm)
  • Height:
    2.8" (7.1 cm)
  • Weight:
    6.6 oz (187 g)

8.5

Build Quality

9.0
The Gorilla Grip sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible

The Gorilla Grip has a better build than what its price suggests: It’s neat, weighted, and substantial, with parts fitting together firmly and seamlessly. Although the working section is removable, it feels like one piece with the rest of the device.

The minus points are due to its bumpy base and rubber pads, which could use better fitting and gluing. Also, the device’s exterior doesn’t feel as soft and comfy as those of its brethrens, the Kitchellence and the Amesser, but this aspect is negligible. The lack of a name or logo is surprising but doesn’t affect the overall quality in any way.

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

Its materials do not scream ‘top-notch quality’, but the Chef’s Choice 4643 benefits greatly from an ergonomic design and robust build. The parts are well reinforced and screw-tightened, though it can be disassembled piece by piece. Finish is near perfect and matches its high price tag.

Gorilla Grip Manual Knife Sharpener’s Working Section

Working Section
The working section of the Gorilla Grip with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The working section of the Gorilla Grip with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The Gorilla Grip’s diamond-coated rod abrasives
The Gorilla Grip’s tungsten blade abrasives
The Gorilla Grip’s ceramic rod abrasives
  • Levels of Sharpening:
    Prep, Sharpen, Polish
  • Abrasive:
    Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
  • Mechanism:
    Pull through
  • Sharpening Angle:
    20 degrees

The working section of the Gorilla Grip features three sharpening slots that repair, sharpen, and polish your blade. Its sharpening rods are larger than those on other devices, such as the Cubikook or the Wamery. The working section sits securely on a rather tall, but heavy, heel and enjoys reasonable stability.

This part is removable and replaceable in theory, though we couldn’t find a place that sells it separately online.

The working section of the Chef's Choice with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
  • Levels of Sharpening:
    Coarse, Fine
  • Abrasive:
    Diamond-coated disks
  • Mechanism:
    Pull through
  • Sharpening Angle:
    15° & 20°

The Chef’s Choice 4643’s working section features three sharpening slots that are securely fastened into the base and covered in a shiny stainless steel sheet.

Unlike most manual sharpeners with abrasive bars or rods, it’s equipped withdiamond-coated discs. As the blade passes through them, these wheels rotate with each draw, grinding and reshaping the edge. 

Slot 1 sharpens Asian knives at a 15-degree angle while Slot 2 sharpens Western knives at 20 degrees. 

Interestingly, there’s only one slot for honing (Slot 3) for both types of knives, but the exact grinding angle isn’t mentioned in the manual. We asked the official manufacturer in an email but have so far received no response.

9.5

Grip

10
The Gorilla Grip sharpener standing on a surface
  • Material:
    Thermoplastic rubber

The grip of this device is very comfortable, thanks to its decent size, ergonomic shape, and quality material. Though not a closed loop, the handle forms a hook so that you can hang it near your countertop for quick retrieving. 

There’s little to complain about the grip, though we thought a bigger foot would be better for stability.

A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener
  • Material:
    Rubber

The handle extends and slightly arches itself toward the end, forming an ergonomic crescent-like shape. It’s just about the perfect size, and the coating material feels soft and grippy between the palm and fingers. Unfortunately, the handle isn’t loop-shaped. Otherwise, you’d be able to hang it on a hook to keep it within an arm’s reach.

Base

Chef's Choice 4643 Manual Knife Sharpener: the Base
The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad
The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad
The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad at the handle
  • Material:
    rubber
  • Feet Type:
    non-slip pad

The Gorilla Grip has textured rubber pads underneath it to enhance friction against the countertop. The pads don’t fit into their designated slots very well, though we think that’s more a problem of aesthetics than functionality. 

The real problem is that when standing, only a part of the bigger pad is in contact with the countertop, which means it’s not completely flat. We’re not sure if it’s the pad, the base, or the glue that attaches them that has uneven thickness, but this factor noticeably reduces the device’s stability.

The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener
The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener
One of the feet underneath the Chef's Choice sharpener
  • Material:
    Synthetic rubber
  • Feet Type:
    Slip-proof sole (x 4)

With the bottom being a hollow gap instead of a solid whole block, the sharpener is lightweight. However, because the base is wide and the center of gravity low, it maintains its balance very well. 

The quartet of rubber feet attached at the base corners do a great job of creating friction and keeping the device in place during sharpening—we feel this is a more economical and effective design than the large pads usually seen in other devices.

Ease of Use

Gorilla Grip Manual Knife Sharpener Review

Chef's Choice 4643 Knife Sharpener Review: Ease of Use
8.3
usability Scores
  • Slot Arrangement (10%)10/10
  • Insertion (20%)9.0/10
  • Pulling Through (10%)8.5/10
  • Stability on a Clean Surface (40%)8.0/10
  • Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface (20%)7.0/10
8.4
usability Scores
  • Slot Arrangement (20%)7.0/10
  • Insertion (20%)8.5/10
  • Pulling Through (10%)8.5/10
  • Stability on Clean Surface (40%)9.5/10
  • Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface (10%)7.0/10
10

Slot Arrangement

7.0
The working section on the Gorilla Grip, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods

With three working slots progressing from left to right, the Gorilla Grip doesn’t require a good memory or logical skills to work with. The function of each of the slots is also engraved right next to it, so even first-time users should have no problem working out the order.

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

The sharpener has labeling for the slots’ functions and designated knife types. Depending on the knife you’re sharpening, the intended order goes as 1-3 (for Asian-style knives) or 2-3 ( for European-style knives).

The slot trios share the identical size, width, and depth, so it’s easy to confuse them. We strongly advise you to look at the labeling carefully before sharpening your knives, especially during the first sessions with the device.

While the Western slot can only blunt an Asian knife, putting your standard knife in the Asian slot can destroy the edge beyond the point of repair. We actually had to throw away a test knife trying that out.

9.0

Insertion

8.5
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Gorilla Grip, the sharpener being held in one hand

Its slot openings are wide and at a reasonable distance from each other, so it was easy to place the knife in the right slot with the Gorilla Grip.

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

The Chef’s Choice has rather narrow slot openings, so if you’re in a rush, there’s a chance you’ll misplace the knife and cut the cover instead of inserting it into the slot. 

On the bright side, once the knife is at the opening, it’ll be smooth sailing. Because the slots taper downwards and the discs are placed deep below, the knife will slide straight down. Insertion is thus much safer for the knife edge compared to sharpeners with tungsten bars that keep threatening to clash with the edge and cause chipping.

8.5

Pulling Through

8.5
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener

Similar to the Kitchellence and the Amesser, the Gorilla Grip’s solid body structure makes pulling the knife through its slots a breeze: It was easy for us to apply a steady force from the knife’s heel to its top. The friction was just right at every point along the blade. The knife did cut into the plastic parts of the sharpener at times, but it happened less often than with other devices.

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

Because the slots are deep and run all the way across its width (2 inches), it was relatively easy to keep the knife straight during sharpening to reduce the risk of creating uneven edges. 

That being said, there’s some room for the knife to jig sideways; when it does, you will feel a change in the friction as you pull the blade through. 

As its discs are placed deep down in the slots, the knife kept nicking into the frame, leaving lots of marks and scratches.

8.0

Stability on a Clean Surface

Stability on Clean Surface
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener on a countertop

The Gorilla Grip’s base isn’t completely flat, so it wobbled as we pushed it lightly while it was placed on a table. It also has a high center of gravity and a tapered heel — big no-nos — but to some extent, the heavy weight makes up for that.

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

This is one of the rare devices that come without a full base and can still offer excellent stability. Despite being lightweight, the sharpener stayed secure and steady on a spotless kitchen countertop, thanks to its well-proportioned structure. Those with weak wrists or shaky hands will really feel a difference with this design.

7.0

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip on a salt-sprinkled countertop

The slippery cooking oil and salt on the countertop didn’t seem to affect the device’s stability to a great extent. Neither did the salt pose much of a challenge to the textured rubber feet.

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

Moving on to the simulated messy countertop splashed with cooking oil and peppered with salt: The sharpener’s balanced design continued to keep its footing. The base did lose its traction with the contact surface and moved along with the pull, but only occasionally and not to the extent seen on most other sharpeners.