V-type sharpeners

Independent, accurate and unbiased information about kitchen knives used for the preparation of food and how to sharpen them and keep them sharp

V-type stick sharpeners on a stand

These sharpeners consist of a pair of abrasive rods set in a wooden or plastic base or stand at an angle to form a V-shape

The blade is sharpened by swiping the knife alternatively against the two abrasive rods.

The blade is held vertically as it is swiped against the rods.

This is relatively easy to do because the knife is sharpened with an action that mimics the normal slicing action.

Most of the V-type sharpeners have one pre-set angle, although a few have several angles to choose from. The usual set angles are around 15 to 20 degrees on each side. However, the sharpening angle can be altered by tilting the blade slightly.

The rods typically are ceramic. Some of these sharpening devices have rods with only one abrasive grade, but others have a range of grits. Some have circular rods and others have rods with flat abrasive surfaces.

Lansky produce one version called the Turnbox Crock Stick Sharpener; DMT produce a sharpener called the DiamondVee; and Spyderco produces the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener.

What we like about the V-type stick sharpeners:

oThey are very easy to use

oThey produce a sharp cutting edge quickly

oThere are inexpensive

oUsed carefully, they can be used to sharpen serrated knives

oThey can b

What you might not like about V-type stick sharpeners

oThe angles are pre-sets, so if you want to sharpen at a different angle you have to adjust the knife angle manually

oThe cutting edge tends not to last a long time

oSome do not have a range of grades of abrasives

What to look for:

oSharpeners that have several grades of abrasive rods