KitchenIQ
KitchenIQ 50825 Diamond Edge Grip 2-Stage Sharpener
A popular knife sharpener. Diamond-coated coarse rods and fine ceramic blades in a pocket-sized body — Consumer Reports' top budget pick.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects which products we recommend. How we review
Our review
The KitchenIQ is one of the most widely used budget sharpeners, and the consensus is clear: it works, it's cheap, and it fits in a drawer. That long record is its strongest argument — the common complaints are well documented.
The patented Edge Grip feature is the design detail that earns its place here. You can clamp the sharpener on the edge of your countertop or table, which prevents the tip of longer knives from dragging over and damaging your surface. It's a small thing, but it solves the single most common annoyance with compact sharpeners. The two stages — diamond-coated coarse rods for dull blades, fine ceramic for honing — cover the full maintenance cycle.
The trade-off is refinement. The sharpening angle is fixed and preset, which means it works well on most Western knives but isn't ideal for Japanese blades with a narrower angle. The edge it produces is functional rather than razor-sharp — perfectly adequate for home cooking, but not the polished result you'd get from a whetstone or the Zwilling. The plastic construction is light, which is fine for a drawer sharpener.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Long-established, widely used budget sharpener
- Patented Edge Grip clamps to countertop edge
- Diamond coarse + ceramic fine covers full sharpening cycle
- Pocket-sized and fits in any drawer
What to watch
- Fixed preset angle — not ideal for Japanese knives
- Produces a functional edge, not a polished one
- Plastic construction feels lightweight
Specifications
| Type | Manual 2-stage |
|---|---|
| Coarse stage | Diamond-coated rods |
| Fine stage | Crossed ceramic blades |
| Dimensions | 3.75" x 2" x 1.6" |
| Compatibility | Straight and serrated knives |
Who it's for
- The cheapest credible sharpener
- Drawer storage in small kitchens
- Countertop edge clamping for long knives
The verdict
The safest budget buy. For most home cooks who just want their knives sharper, this is all you need. Step up to the Zwilling only if you own Japanese knives.