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

Overall Verdict

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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

Scissor sharpener

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 to Cut a Lemon

4.8

1.0

Sharpening Time

2m 05s

3 minutes

Cutting Feel

Swift and smooth

Slightly forced

Material Retention

9.0

6.0

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

A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the Zwilling sharpener

Sharpening Time

1 minute

Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

7.0

ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1

Sharpening Time

6 minutes

Sharpness Level

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

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

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)

Build Quality

9.3

7.8

The Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

Working Section

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 Zwilling sharpener’s base and base pad

Material

ABS plastic

Plastic

Feet Type

non-slip rubber base

EVA pad

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

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

Material

ABS plastic

ABS, EVA

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring

9.1

8.2

Slot Arrangement

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

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 on a 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 on a Wet and 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

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.