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Kitchellence 3-Stage vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

It’s easy to pick between the Kitchellence 3-stage and Zwilling 4-stage sharpener: The former offered a much better performance.

By , and Updated

Kitchellence 3-Stage

Zwilling Henckels

Kitchellence 3-Stage vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Sharpener: An Easy Choice

Overall Verdict

8.0
Overall Score
6.3
Overall Score
  • Performance (50%)6.9
  • Design (15%)9.2
  • Ease of Use (35%)9.1
  • Performance (50%)4.7
  • Design (15%)7.5
  • Ease of Use (35%)8.2

The Kitchellence 3-stage sharpener wins hands down in the most critical areas. Whether it’s sharpness, time efficiency, or stability that you’re looking for in a handheld sharpener, it presented itself as the better choice compared to the Zwilling sharpener. The fact that it’s only a fraction of the latter’s price just makes it even more attractive.

The Zwilling’s main appeal is in its ability to sharpen to two different grind angles; however, it took way too long and couldn’t reach the level of sharpness the Kitchellence could. It sports a strong, robust body and an impressive look, but its design was rather gimmicky and didn’t serve well in practice.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy to use, intuitive design
  • Soft, comfortable finish
  • Extra weight near the base for stability
  • Affordable price
  • Included glove for added safety
  • Substantial weight
  • Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
  • Strong build, high-quality body material
  • Slot cover 
  • Beautiful design
  • Tapered base 
  • Awkward base pad
  • Brittle sharpening blades 
  • Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
  • Awkward grip

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Ceramic discs
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L8.1 x W1.8 x H3.0 inches
L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy?

Price at publication
$22.80
$29.53

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.9
4.7

Sharpening Time Cut Lemon

4.8
1.0
Sharpening Time
2m 05s
3 minutes
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Slightly forced

Maximum Sharpness

7.0
7.0
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8
8 - (Chicken breast with skin, 2 swipes)

Edge Smoothness

7.7
7.3
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Kitchellence 3-stage knife sharpener
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Zwilling

Material Retention

9.0
6.0
Medal residue on two abrasive slots on the Kitchellence knife sharpener
Medal residue on two abrasive slots on the Kitchellence knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Kitchellence sharpener
Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife 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
1 minute

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.2
7.5

In The Box

The Kitchellence knife sharpener, its package box, instruction manual, and included safety glove
The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual

Build Quality

9.3
7.8
The base and separated working section of the Kitchellence, and a glove, all on a cutting board
The Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

Grip

9.0
6.5
The grip of the Kitchellence sharpener and part of its base and abrasives.
The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage 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
ABS plastic
ABS, EVA

Dimensions

The Kitchellence knife sharpener and arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Zwilling handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
8.1" (20.6 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.6 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.6 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)
Weight
6.4 oz (181 g)
11.2 oz (318 g)

Working Section

The working section of the Kitchellence with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The working section of the Zwilling with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and its clear cover
Levels of Sharpening
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Sharpen, Polish
Abrasive
Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Ceramic blades
Mechanism
Pull-through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20 degrees
15 degrees, 10 degrees

Base

The Kitchellence 3-stage sharpener lying upside down, its base and base pads in full view
The Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener’s base and base pad
Material
ABS plastic
Plastic
Feet Type
non-slip rubber base
EVA pad

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.1
8.2

Slot Arrangement

10
10
The working section on the Kitchellence, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The working section on the Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian knives

Insertion

9.0
9.0
Top view of two hands sharpening a knife with the Kitchellence on cutting board, lemon and tomato slices in background
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in one hand

Pulling Through

9.5
7.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife sharpener

Stability Clean Surface

9.0
7.5
a person wearing a glove in one hand sharpening a kitchen knife with the Kitchellence on a countertopa person wearing a glove in one hand sharpening a kitchen knife with the Kitchellence on a countertop
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop

Stability Dirty Surface

7.5
6.0
a person wearing a glove in one hand sharpening a kitchen knife with the Kitchellence on a salt-sprinkled countertop
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop

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Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Anh Ngo
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.

Headshot of Lap Vo
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.

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