A dull knife in the kitchen is not only annoying, it’s also dangerous. You know how annoying it is to try to cut a ripe tomato with a dull knife. You don’t get a clean cut; you get a squashed mess. More importantly, a dull knife needs more force, which makes it more likely to slip and hurt someone. For anyone who cooks at home, keeping knives sharp is a must for safety and efficiency in the kitchen.
But let’s be honest: sharpening knives can seem like a dark art. It takes practice and patience to use whetstones, and those old-fashioned steel rods often just realign the blade instead of sharpening it. A lot of us put it off until our knives are almost useless. This is where modern sharpening systems come in. They promise a way to get a razor-sharp edge without having to learn how to use them.
A lot of people are talking about the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener. It has a system that controls the sharpening angle to make sure you get professional-level results at home every time. We’ll go over all the details of this popular sharpener in this review, including its features, how well it works, and how much it costs. We’ll help you figure out if this is the right tool to make your dull, tired knives sharp again.
Product Overview
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust is a sharpening system that you have to do by hand and follow an angle. Unlike freehand methods, this one locks your knife and sharpening stone into a set angle, making sure that every pass makes the edge perfectly even. The standard kit comes with a three-sided abrasive rod that has rough and smooth diamond plates and a ceramic stone for sharpening.
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener is an upgraded package for people who want more. It has everything in the regular kit plus two extra abrasive rods. These extra rods come with a wider range of grits, from extra-coarse diamond for fixing broken blades to ultra-fine ceramic and a leather strop for a shiny, mirror-like finish. This Elite version makes a great sharpener into a full sharpening solution for people who want the best of the best.
Key Features of Work Sharp Knife Sharpener
The Work Sharp system is packed with features designed for precision and ease of use:
- Tri-Brasive Rod: The main part of the standard system is a three-sided rod with diamond plates that are 320 grit coarse and 600 grit fine for sharpening and a ceramic plate that is fine grit for honing. You can easily switch between them by rotating them.
- Adjustable Angle Guide: This is the best thing about the system. You can set the sharpening angle anywhere from 15° to 30° in one-degree steps with a simple dial. This lets you match the factory edge on most knives or make a bevel that is just right for you.
- V-Block Clamp: The clamp securely holds the knife in place. It’s lined with rubber to protect your blade from scratches and can be rotated 180° to sharpen the other side of the knife without removing it.
- Stable Base: The weighted base keeps the unit steady on your work surface, so you can focus on sharpening without the rig moving around.
- Elite Kit Upgrades: The Elite model comes with two more Tri-Brasive rods. These include diamond plates with 220 and 400 grit for heavy-duty sharpening, an 800-grit diamond plate for polishing, and an extra-fine ceramic plate and leather strop for that last, razor-sharp polish.
Design & Build Quality
TThe Work Sharp Precision Adjust is mostly made of high-quality plastic, which might make some people think twice. But it feels solid and well-made. The parts fit together tightly, and the angle adjustment dial clicks into place with just the right amount of accuracy. It doesn’t feel cheap or weak.
The V-Block clamp is strong, and the magnetized base makes it easy to attach to the main unit. The plastic makes the unit light and, most importantly, cheap, even though metal construction would feel better. The build quality is great for the price and is more than good enough for everyday use at home.
Performance
So, how well does it really sharpen? In a word: very well. The diamond plates are very sharp and can quickly sharpen even the dullest knives. You can feel the 320-grit plate biting into the steel right away, creating a new edge. A burr, which is a small ridge of metal that shows you’ve sharpened the whole edge, can usually be raised in just a few minutes on each side.
Changing to the 600-grit plate makes this edge better by getting rid of the scratches left by the coarser grit. Finally, a few passes over the ceramic stone make the blade razor-sharp. I was able to get a cheap, dull kitchen knife sharp enough to shave hair off my arm with just the standard kit.
The Elite kit makes things work even better. The 220-grit plate with extra-coarse grit is great for changing a bevel angle or fixing a badly damaged edge. When you put a polishing compound on the leather strop, it makes a beautiful, mirrored edge that goes through paper without any resistance.
Ease of Use
This is the best place for the Work Sharp knife sharpener to work. It’s very easy to understand. It only takes a minute to set up, and it’s easy to clamp the knife. Finding the right angle is the hardest part, but the guide that comes with it gives suggestions for different types of knives, like 20° for kitchen knives and 25° for pocket knives.
To sharpen the blade, all you have to do is move the abrasive rod back and forth along it. You don’t need years of practice to get it right because the angle is locked in. To sharpen the other side of the knife, just push a button and turn the clamp. It’s a system that almost never fails and gives beginners the confidence to get professional results on their first try.
Pros
- Excellent Value: Gives results that are as good as those of systems that cost a lot more.
- Easy to Use: The angle-guided system is great for people who are just starting out.
- Consistent Results: Locking in the angle ensures a perfect, even bevel every time.
- Versatile: The adjustable angle works for a wide variety of knives.
- Fast: The diamond plates remove material quickly, reducing sharpening time.
- Upgradable: You can start with the basic kit and add more abrasives later.
Cons
- Plastic Construction: While sturdy, some may prefer an all-metal build.
- Clamp Limitations: Very small or particularly thick blades can be tricky to secure properly.
- Learning Curve for Long Blades: Sharpening long knives like bread knives or large chef’s knives requires a bit of practice to maintain a consistent angle at the tip and heel.
Comparison with Competitors
The main competitors in this space are systems like the Lansky Controlled-Angle Sharpening System and the KME Precision Knife Sharpener.
- Lansky: The Lansky system is a classic and costs very little. But it can be hard to use because you have to hold the clamp, knife, and stone by hand. The Work Sharp is much easier to use because it has a stable base and a clamp that can be turned.
- KME: The KME sharpener is a high-end, all-metal system that fans love. It costs a lot more, but it is very accurate. The Work Sharp Precision Adjust gives home cooks 90% of the performance for less than half the price.
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust knife sharpener is the best of the three. It’s easier to use than the Lansky and works well enough for most people, but it doesn’t cost as much as the KME.
Pricing & Value for Money
The standard Work Sharp Precision Adjust kit costs between £60 and £70, while the Elite version costs between £120 and £130. This is a great deal for the money because of the results it gets. One professional sharpening service can cost between £10 and £20 for each knife. This system lets you sharpen all of your knives for the same price as having a few done by a pro, and they will stay sharp forever. The investment pays for itself very quickly for anyone who has more than a few good knives.
Author’s Take
My dad gave me a simple whetstone, and I’ve been sharpening knives ever since. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to keep a perfect angle, and my knuckles show it. I have to admit that I was skeptical when I first tried the Work Sharp Precision Adjust. A plastic set for less than £100? It seemed too good to be true. But after only ten minutes with it, I was sold. I took my most worn-out and dull utility knife—the one I use to open boxes and other bad things—and made it into a scalpel.
What I like most is how it makes you feel sure of yourself. You don’t have to guess. You pick your angle and go. The feedback from the diamond plates is great; you can feel the edge being made. My advice? Before you start, use a permanent marker to color in the edge of your knife. You can see exactly where you’re taking metal off as you sharpen. You know you’ve hit the whole bevel when all the marker is gone. This is a simple trick that makes the process even more foolproof. This tool is a game changer for anyone who has been scared of sharpening. I not only recommend it, but I also use it myself.
User Reviews & Ratings
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust gets a lot of praise on online stores and forums. People often talk about how easy it is to use and how sharp it gets. A lot of reviews come from people who are new to the product and are amazed that they can make their knives sharper than they were when they bought them. Most of the time, the complaints are about the plastic construction or how hard it is to clamp very small blades. It has an average rating of 4.5 to 5 stars, which makes it one of the best-reviewed sharpeners in its class.
Who Should Buy This Product?
The Work Sharp knife sharpener is ideal for:
- Home Cooks: Anyone who wants to keep their kitchen knives in great shape without having to learn a lot.
- For beginners: If you’re just starting to learn how to sharpen, this is probably the best system for beginners.
- People who love knives but don’t have a lot of money: It has the same accuracy and features as more expensive systems, but for a lot less money. The Elite kit is a great choice for people who like to do things on their own.
However, it might not be the best fit for professional chefs who need to sharpen many knives quickly (a powered sharpener might be better) or for collectors with very high-end knives who might prefer a premium, all-metal system like a KME or Edge Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to use the original Work Sharp knife sharpener?
Put the knife in the guide, choose the right abrasive belt, and slowly pull the blade through while the sharpener does its job. Follow the directions that come with it for certain angles and passes.
What is a common mistake when sharpening knives?
A common mistake is to put too much pressure on the knife while sharpening it. Light, steady pressure gives better results and keeps the blade from getting damaged.
What angle should I use with the Work Sharp knife sharpener?
Most kitchen knives should be sharpened at a 20° angle on each side. Look in the sharpener’s manual for more specific settings that are right for your blade..
How to use a simple sharp knife sharpener?
Start with the coarse setting for dull edges and finish with the fine setting for polishing. Run the blade through the sharpener’s slots as directed. Make smooth, slow passes and don’t use too much force.
Warranty & Support
Work Sharp is a US company that is known for providing great customer service. The Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener comes with a three-year warranty that covers any flaws in the materials or workmanship. If you have any problems, their support team will be quick to help..
Tips for Best Use
- Use the Marker Trick: Mark the bevel of your knife with a permanent marker to see how far you’ve come.
- Don’t push too hard; let the abrasives do the work. You only need a light, steady touch.
- To get the best edge, use the leather strop from the Elite kit or a different strop with a polishing compound.
- Keep it clean: After each use, wipe down the clamp and the abrasives to get rid of metal filings.
- Start with Cheaper Knives: If you’re nervous, use an old or cheap knife to get used to it before moving on to a more expensive one.
Our Final Verdict:
The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is a great product that does what it says it will do. It makes the process of sharpening less mysterious and open to everyone. At this price, it offers the best level of accuracy, ease of use, and consistency. Some purists might not like the plastic construction, but the performance speaks for itself.
The standard kit is more than enough for the average home cook to keep a set of kitchen knives sharp. The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener is one of the best value sharpening systems on the market today for people who love the process and want that perfect, polished edge. It works well, is cheap, and solves the problem of dull knives that has been around for a long time.