AnySharp Knife Sharpener review: Safe, easy and cheap
For standard kitchen use, you can’t go wrong at this price
Pros
- Incredibly good value
- Compact and clever design
- Ridiculously easy to use
Cons
- Suction can slip if not airtight
- Will turn a single-edged blade into a double
I went an embarrassingly long time without sharpening my knives. For a time in my twenties, I wasn’t even aware that such witchcraft existed, but even when I did, it wasn’t the kind of thing I was rushing to do. I’m not exactly practical, so making sharp pointy things sharper and pointier with my bare hands didn’t sound like a sensible idea.
The AnySharp Knife Sharpener takes the danger out of blade sharpening and does so in a way that’s quick, easy and very, very cheap. Professional chefs may fancy something a bit more robust, but for people with a drawer full of dull kitchen knives, the AnySharp is an absolute no-brainer.
AnySharp Knife Sharpener review: Price and competition
If you’ve read our guide to the best knife sharpeners, you’ll know that a good one can set you back more than £50. At the time of writing, the AnySharp Knife Sharpener is just £8, putting it firmly in impulse-purchase territory. When you feel the sharpener losing its original lustre, you can buy a set of two extra sharpening tools to pop in yourself for £6, which is especially reassuring at a time when we’re encouraged to just throw things out when they break.
It’s a V-sharpener type, which requires little technique and is suited to sturdier, Western-style knives. So what else is in that style and price bracket? Well, if you want something smaller, the £20 Joseph Joseph Rota Folding Knife Sharpener is even more compact than the AnySharp, with a two-stage sharpening process for a more finessed finish.
Another favourite is the Smart Sharp by Lantana: a £13 knife sharpener that manages to include three grades, but needs to be held in place with a handle, rather than a suction cup like the AnySharp.
AnySharp Knife Sharpener review: What you need to know
The AnySharp Knife Sharpener is a tiny addition to your kitchen drawer: a 60 x 60mm puck with a handle. On the bottom is a suction cup, and when pressed against a hard surface, pushing the handle down with a little force will create a seal, securely fastening the sharpener in place for one-handed use. The company promises over 12kg of downforce, which isn’t bad for a 60g device.
The metal cylinder part comes in a bright, cheery range of colours (cream, blue, red, silver, teal, black, yellow or “warm earth” – pink to you and me) and is embossed with the words “The World’s Best Knife Sharpener”.
It’s a bold claim. So is it?
Well, in terms of usability and quick results, it’s pretty hard to argue with that sentiment. You fasten it to the surface then pull the knife along the sharpening tools towards you, handle first – it’s one-direction only, rather than a saw-style motion. Do it a couple of times until you’re happy with the results, wash it and then use the knife as usual. From unboxing to cutting cleanly, you’re looking at well under three minutes, which is really quite something. It certainly makes a change from electronic devices where you need to read a manual, charge batteries and install an app.
Better still, it’s very hard to go wrong. There’s a sign on the top telling you which is the right way round, and the sharpener is set to 20 degrees, meaning you don’t need to work on your angling for optimal results. It’ll even work with serrated knives, as long as they’re not too fine-toothed.
AnySharp Knife Sharpener review: Verdict
So what are the drawbacks? Well, there aren’t too many for the price. The surface has to be completely flat for the suction to work, so if that doesn’t work for you, you’re probably better off getting something with a handle. Also worth highlighting that this is designed for Western-style double-edged knives only. If you put a Japanese-style single-bevel knife through, you’ll find it quickly loses its USP.
If you have some super-expensive knives, you may still be better off with a whetstone. Our pick is the Kai Shun Damascus Combination Whetstone, which offers two grades for £55 – although it’s undoubtedly less convenient than this, considering you need to master the art through practice and soak it for 15 minutes before use.
For most people with a set of cheap, blunt knives that will seem like too much effort. And if you just want to restore some long-serving dull knives to their original cutting finesse, then it’s very hard to argue with the AnySharp Knife Sharpener. It’s cheap, safe, easy to use and – above all – effective. At £8, it’s astonishingly good value.