Do you have a fillet knife in your kitchen? If not, you may want to invest in one. A fillet knife is an incredibly versatile tool that food preparers can use for filleting fish and other meats. It also does well at slicing through vegetables and fruits. The blade is thin enough to make it easy to cut with precision. However, if the edge becomes dull or damaged, it will no longer do its job as efficiently as it once did. In that case, a sharpener comes to your aid, especially when we consider that even the best of the cutlery that is bought will eventually get dull and blunt. In addition, although this might sound a bit strange, using a blunt blade is always more dangerous than using a sharp one. Dull blades are more likely to slip from the material or food you are trying to cut and damage you. To keep them razor sharp and ready for every use, you will need a decent knife sharpener for your fillet blade.
Knife sharpeners have two basic designs: electric knife sharpeners and manual knife sharpeners. There are some pros and cons for each sharpener, but in general, electric sharpeners are faster and usually more accurate. Manual knife sharpeners give you more control over the blade angle but can be slower. Regardless of which type you use, a fillet knife sharpener will make your filleting experience much easier, and your fillet knives last longer.
There are many advantages to owning a fillet knife set and a fillet knife sharpener. For one, it is very low-maintenance as all you have to do is sharpen the blade a couple of times throughout the year. In addition, fillet knives are made with high-quality steel that holds its edge well and will not dull as quickly if it isn't sharpened regularly. When you use these tools properly and keep them clean, they can last for many years before needing an upgrade.
Therefore, we have prepared a complete guide about sharpening blades and some of the best fillet knife sharpener options in the market with versatile functions.
#1 Best Electric Powered - Chef'sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect Knife Sharpener
Most of the knives we use daily are manufactured at a 20-degree angle. By converting them with Chef'sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect, you will have knives in a 15 o angle instead; therefore, you will have thinner and custom-made edges. Chef's Choice suggests that the most effective angle for a blade is 15, and a 15-degree knife offers maximum performance. The abrasive material used in this product is %100 diamonds. In addition, thanks to the patented flexible spring system of the sharpener, adjustments you need to make and the control of the blade will be quite easy. Since the sharpener is electric-powered, all you have to do is switch a button to get it started. Then, you can swipe both sides of your blade from the two slots of which stage you choose.
Top-Rated
A sharpener that will literally bring a whole new angle to your regular household knives.
The first two of the sharpener's three stages are coated with 100-percent diamond abrasives to get the blade to the perfect sharpness, and the last stage provides polish in addition to extending the blade's life. Moreover, almost any type of knife can be sharpened on this product: Chef's Knives, Santoku Knives, Bread Knives, Hunting Knives, Fillet Knives, Pocket Knives, and serrated Knives. Last but not least, this device causes 65 to 75 dB noise when it is working.
If you are sharpening your blunt blade for the first time, 1 minute of sharpening will be sufficient, and then, you can take 10 seconds for every time you resharpen. Chef'sChoice offers three years of limited warranty with the purchase of this product.
#2 Best Budget-Friendly Electric - Presto Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
As we talk about this budget-friendly option, we should also state that the design of this model of Presto is also a bit different. Most of the electric sharpeners have their three slots on one side and the on-/off button on the other side. However, Presto has designed this sharpener with 1 stage on one end and two stages on the other end of the device. Just like the design, the use of this sharpener is a bit different than other electric ones. There are two slots for each stage in this sharpener, one for each side of the blade. In other words, you don't have to worry about getting to the perfect angle since this is a sharpener with two slots to swipe the blade across. The first two slots are covered with sapphirite abrasives, and the last one has a ceramic wheel. The three stages of this sharpener are rated as coarse, medium, and extra-fine.
Runner-up
Among all the electric sharpener options, Presto is the one that stands out with its reasonable price and unique features.
Presto claims that the sharpener can sharpen from kitchen cutlery to sports knives and even a santoku knife. One other unique feature of this sharpener is the thickness option on the right. The device allows you to pick the blade's thickness from 3 options: thick, medium, or fine. For sharpening a fillet knife, you should choose the thin option at the bottom. You can use the thick section of the sharpener for hunting knives, and most of your chef's knives as well as regular kitchen knives, will be fine with the medium option. Lastly, Presto offers a limited 1-year warranty with your purchase.
#3 Best Manual - Kitchellence 3-Stage Knife Sharpener (Dry Use)
Kitchellence's knife sharpener comes with all three abrasive surfaces: one diamond, one ceramic, and one tungsten steel abrasive slot. The brand uses the diamond surface to bring the knives in good condition, the tungsten surface to restore them, and finally, the ceramic surface to polish them. Kitchellence has designed this sharpener with a non-slip rubber base to ensure the customer's safety when using a manual sharpener, and your purchase includes a level 5 cut-resistant glove. Nevertheless, we suggest being a bit more careful and taking extra precautions when using a manual sharpener.
Manual Pick
Not only is this sharpener budget-friendly, but it is also the perfect manual one with three sharpening stages.
To use this sharpener;
- You first grab the handle with the included cut-resistant glove.
- You lightly swipe the knife across the slots a few times.
For a 3 stage sharpener, the brand kitchellence has designed the best budget-friendly option with a safety glove in the market. Last but not least, the sharpener is made to suit both left-handed and right-handed users, so it doesn't make any difference, and the sharpener has markers on both sides.
#4 Best Professional - Shā-pu Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening 4 Stone Set (WET USE)
This sharpener is designed to fit and improve any type of cutlery. Unlike the sharpeners with three stages on this list, this whetstone kit comes with four plates, and each one is double-sided. Therefore, you can think of it as you are going to have eight stages to work with. The set includes an acacia wood base for the whetstone, for you to put under the stone as you sharpen, an angle guide, a flattening stone, and a case. Since this sharpener is a whetstone model, it can sharpen from small kitchen cutlery to larger blades such as scissors or even axes. You won’t need any sharpening oil to use the surfaces; however, you will need water.
Pro Pick
Sha-pu Premium: a more sophisticated whetstone set for both home cooks and professionals.
To use this sharpener set, first, you will have to wet the stones by soaking them in water. After, place your stone on the silicone holder on the wooden block and make sure that it is secure. Then, swipe the blade across as you usually use a whetstone. Pay attention to reversing the blade after swiping it 2-3 times to get the other side to the same sharpness. We should also state that you should swipe each side with the same number to ensure the blades' safety and condition.
#5 Best Classic - Diamond Whetstone Models Sharpener in Hardwood Box 3-6-in.
Unlike the other sharpener models we have covered in this list, this one is far more minimalist. This sharpener only consists of 3 simple plates: one blue, one green, and one red. Among the three whetstones, the extra-fine one will bring your cutlery to razor sharpness, and other surfaces, fine and coarse, will take care of the dullness and handle the polishing. All three surfaces are covered in diamond abrasives, which do not require any oil or water. All you have to do is put one brick on the counter and sharpen the blade by swiping it across, the classic and straightforward way. Almost any type of blade can be cured on the sharpener: from those you use in the kitchen to ones you need for outdoor works.
Basic Choice
The perfect sharpener option for those who are in favor of the simplest and classic choices.
To put it another way, the best part about this sharpener is the fact that it can take care of the most delicate knife you have to the toughest ones, such as axes or even machetes. A regular kitchen sharpener might be too fragile to be used with woodworking or garden equipment; however, the size of the knife will not matter for a classic whetstone kit. To use it, you just swipe the blade across the stone 5-6 times without putting pressure and do the same to the other side with the exact number you swiped before. We suggest starting with a coarse and rough plate and moving on to the finer ones to polish and sharpen them to perfection. Finally, this three whetstone kit comes in a wooden box to keep them in order and ready for every use.
Buying Guide for Fillet Knife Sharpeners
In our opinion, the principal factor to consider first is your purpose of buying. As you can imagine, a professional's and a home cook's cutlery sharpener will probably differ significantly. There is no reason not to go and equip a professional's kit indeed; however, sometimes professional ones are designed to be used in larger places such as restaurants or hotels. Their prices differ as well as their sizes. Thus, consider your aim, then the size of the sharpener you want to get because they can be extremely different.
The Prime Factor: Your Comfort and Safety
We are aware that cooking is a personal experience. And during this personal experience, you have to be comfortable with using any type of kitchen utensil. A knife is safe as long as it's used correctly. This depends on how well you can manage the weight and the blade's balance, and the same goes for your sharpener too. Since you will be holding your knife, make sure you feel comfortable when using the sharpening tool; therefore, make sure of your safety when handling the blade and the sharpener at the same time. Some sharpeners have guards or extra measures to protect you from cutting yourself. Brands usually design extra features such as handles or rubber parts in sharpeners to ensure your safety.
Types of Sharpeners
Knife sharpeners are utensils that vary in their using methods, and they usually come in 3 options. Most of the time, electric and manual ones are specially designed to fit kitchen cutlery and sharpen them to perfection. You can find more information about the comparison of main three types of sharpeners at the table we have prepared down below; in addition, we have paid special attention to covering the best of all three options in this detailed guide.
ELECTRIC | MANUAL-SWIPE | WHETSTONES |
|---|---|---|
Sharpening Effect
The sharpening effect comes from the abrasive material in the sharpener. Therefore abrasive effect determines the efficiency of the sharpener: abrasive material itself means "the grinding or rubbing material that cleans, restores or polishes another object". To illustrate, ceramic is a common abrasive material used in fillet knife sharpeners.
Functionality
As we mention sharpeners, we should also state that there are specially designed models with more than one sharpening level. Diverse sharpening stage options will allow you to take care of your cutlery the best way: as you change the level, you can go from bringing the knife to razor sharpness to adding a final touch as well as polishing it. It is no surprise when sharpeners vary in their sharpening features. Thus, you can pick the one you like the most and will suit your needs the best.
Moreover, your sharpener's slot count is quite important. If you get one with more slots or adjustable ones, you will have a sharpener that can take care of more types of cutlery.
Dimensions
As we mentioned before, your comfort, safety, and the effectiveness of the sharpener depend mainly on how you use it, thus, the dimensions of the device. Sharpeners vary in size as well, and you must consider the proportions of the knife you want to sharpen, then choose a suitable sharpener for it. When it comes to sharpeners, there are lighter and compact options as well as larger and heavier ones. While lighter sharpeners can be considered more practical, heavier ones are made to stay stable and sturdy as you work.
FAQ
What is a fillet knife, and what is a fillet knife sharpener?
A fillet knife or a filleting knife is what we use to fillet fish in the kitchen. You can easily recognize a fillet knife by its thin and refined design. A classic fillet knife will also have a slight curve in the blade part. The length of a fillet knife blade varies from 6 inches to 11.
In general, the efficiency and the knife's performance depend on two main factors: how much you invested / how good is the knife you bought, and how much you pay attention to its maintenance. Every blade tends to get dull after you cut many meat or vegetable: bones or the cutting board you hit lessens the efficiency of your blades a bit each time. Therefore, knives definitely need to be cleaned, stored properly. To keep them functional as the day you bought them: you should sharpen them regularly. A fillet knife sharpener or a sharpener for any knife is a must-have if you wish to extend the blade's life and get the best of it.
How do I use a fillet knife sharpener?
Sharpening a knife is relatively easy. All you have to do is hold your knife that lost its edge at approximately 20° angle, which is a classic for kitchen cutlery, and most of the regular knives you purchase are designed with 20°angles (any angle that is in between 15°-20° is also fine). If you are using a manual or an electric device, even better because the angle will already be set. Then it would be best if you swiped the blade down the sharpener without applying too much pressure. To sharpen the other side, you simply do the same action mirrored, or you just use the second slot of sharpeners at that stage.
Honing vs. Sharpening: what is the difference?
Honing is a complementary process that lets you work on a blade that is already sharp. Honing should be done more often on cutlery, and frequent honing saves you from having to sharpen your blades too often. Even though sometimes they are used for Sharpening, steel rods are the tools we often encounter when honing. With a regular honing process, all your blades should be fine with a sharpening once a year.
How to know if your cutlery needs sharpening?
There is no specific sign that indicates a sharpening session is needed for your knives. Most of the time, you will realize that the knife you are using tends to slip from the food you are trying to cut. If that is not determining enough and you still wish to know precisely, you can always try the old paper test. To do it, you take a regular paper and hold it up in the air as you swipe the blade across it. If the blade is causing the paper to get wrinkled or ripped, or it doesn't perform a clean-cut, you can consider sharpening your knife.
On the other hand, the sharpening frequency may vary from 3 months to a whole year, depending on how often you use your cutlery and how often you use honing utensils.
Conclusion
We all know that the perfect cooking experience depends on both how good your equipment is and how much effort you put into taking care of them. Even though you don't need the fanciest and most expensive utensils, you should pay attention to their maintenance to have them in their best condition. For taking care of your cutlery with an electric sharpener, Chef'sChoice Trizor XV will be your perfect helper, or you can always go classic with brands DWM Whetstones or Kitchellence.
We have tried to cover diverse options from the market for different needs, and we hope that this guide helps you find the perfect product for your expectations. For more information, don't forget to check out our other reviews about knives & other kitchen appliances.
We wish you a nice day!
