# Best Cheap Knife Sharpeners Under $15 That Actually Work

Source: https://stoneandstrop.com/best/best-cheap-knife-sharpener
Publisher: Stone and Strop. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://stoneandstrop.com/how-we-pick

Under about $15 you can still get a sharpener that works, if you know what you are trading. The cheapest pull-throughs use crossed carbide blades: they raise a usable edge in a few strokes but tear steel off and leave a rough edge, fine for inexpensive knives and a poor idea for a good Japanese blade. Ceramic slots are gentler and mostly maintain an edge that is already decent. A diamond rod costs the same and sharpens serrations too. And a plain 1000 grit whetstone is the cheapest way to get a genuinely good edge, as long as you are willing to learn to hold the angle. This guide compares seven budget sharpeners by abrasive, stages and which knives they suit, so the money goes to the right kind of cheap.

## Picks

### 1. Amazon Basics 4-in-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener with Nonslip Base, Includes Safety Glove

Amazon Basics 4-in-1 sharpener: coarse, medium and fine knife stages plus a scissor slot, non-slip base, cut-resistant glove included.

What the listing offers:
- Three knife stages and a scissor slot for under $10
- Cut-resistant glove included for the holding hand
- Non-slip silicone base for countertop use

Limits to know:
- Not suitable for serrated knives, per the listing
- Abrasive used in each stage is not named in the spec sheet

### 2. AccuSharp Knife Sharpener, Ergonomic Comfortable Handle, Compact & Easy to Use, Restore and Hone Straight & Serrated Knives, White

AccuSharp hand-held sharpener: reversible diamond-honed tungsten carbide V with a full-length finger guard, for straight and serrated kitchen knives.

What the listing offers:
- Full-length guard and either-hand grip make it safe to use
- Carbide inserts reverse for double life, dishwasher safe
- A long-selling budget sharpener from a sharpening brand

Limits to know:
- Carbide shears steel and leaves a rough edge, hard on good knives
- One fixed angle, not stated in the listing

### 3. Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener - Yellow - 2-Step Preset Coarse & Fine Slots - Outdoor Handheld Knife Sharpener - Fishing, Hunting, Fillet, Pocket Knives - Compact Plastic Portable Keychain Tool

Smith's CCKS 2-step pocket sharpener: crossed carbide coarse and crossed ceramic fine slots, under 2 ounces, floats in water.

What the listing offers:
- Carbide to restore and ceramic to finish in a pocket-size body
- Floats in water, useful in a boat or tackle box
- Lowest price name-brand two-stage sharpener here

Limits to know:
- Small body is awkward with long kitchen knives
- Preset angle is not stated in the listing

### 4. Ryerum Knife Sharpening Stone Whetstone 1000 Grit Knife Sharpener Enough for Daily Sharpening Stone With 2 Non-Slip Rubber Bases,Safety and Easy to Use For Beginners

Ryerum 1000 grit whetstone with two non-slip rubber bases, the cheapest way to a properly sharp edge if you learn to hold the angle.

What the listing offers:
- A whetstone gives a cleaner edge than any slot sharpener at this price
- 1000 grit is the standard everyday sharpening grit
- Two rubber bases included to keep it steady

Limits to know:
- Needs technique: you hold the angle by hand
- Stone size and thickness are not stated in the listing

### 5. AccuSharp Professional Dual Rod Knife Sharpener, Retractable Diamond-Coated Steel Rod, Sharpens, Restores, Repairs & Hones Straight & Serrated Knives

AccuSharp retractable diamond-coated steel rod with a cone-shaped tip and hook groove, for straight and serrated knives.

What the listing offers:
- Tapered diamond rod handles serrations that slot sharpeners miss
- Retracts for safe carry in a pocket or drawer
- Hook groove for fishing hooks, darts and pointed tools

Limits to know:
- Freehand rod, angle control is up to you
- Grit of the diamond coating is not stated

### 6. GoodCook Everyday Knife Sharpener

GoodCook Everyday sharpener: carbide coarse stage for dull knives and ceramic fine stage for touch-ups and serrated blades, with angled non-slip feet.

What the listing offers:
- Fine ceramic stage can maintain serrated blades
- Angled non-slip footing grips the counter edge
- Clear instructions on which stage to use when

Limits to know:
- Coarse carbide stage is not for serrated blades
- Light plastic build, not a heavy countertop unit

### 7. 4-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessories: 3-Stage Knife Sharpener Helps Repair, Restore, Polish Blades and Cut-Resistant Glove (Black)

Kitchellence 3-stage pull-through with a diamond repair stage, a sharpening stage and a fine polishing stage, plus a cut-resistant glove.

What the listing offers:
- Diamond first stage repairs and straightens damaged edges
- Three stages and a cut-resistant glove for under $15
- Works for right or left-handed users per the listing

Limits to know:
- ABS plastic body, light compared with metal-framed sharpeners
- Listing does not state the angle of the slots

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.