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Amesser A-65 vs. Chef's Choice 4643 Manual Knife Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Amesser A-65 vs. Chef's Choice 4643 Manual Knife Sharpener: Side-by-Side Comparison

Overall Verdict

The Amesser A-65 sharpener isn’t the sharpest tool in the drawer, nor does it create one. However, it still offered a better performance than the Chef's Choice 4643 in our tests.

Both devices have a sturdy construction with a great fit and finish. The Amesser gained good ratings for its substantial weight and soft, velvety cover texture, while the Chef’s Choice 4643 sports our favorite simplistic but highly stable base design. 

When it came time to actually sharpen a knife, the former got the job done more quickly and effectively. We also achieved a straighter knife’s edge. The latter, despite its elaborate wheels, took twice the time in our speed test and couldn’t achieve the same performance level. 

In the end, the Amesser A-65 is the more capable and the better choice between the two sharpeners.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Affordable
  • Instinctive and easy to use
  • Well-built with a solid design
  • Grippy and comfortable handle
  • Safety glove included
  • Works with 20° and 15° edges
  • Compatible with serrated blades
  • Grippy handle
  • Neat, ergonomic overall design
  • Tapered base
  • High center of gravity
  • Expensive price
  • Awkward slot layout

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpene
No
No
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Diamond discs
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L7.9 x W1.9 x H2.9 inches
L9.3 x W2.0 x H2.8 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$16.60
$51.51

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.3
4.3

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

5.2
1.0
Sharpening Time
2 minutes
4 minutes
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Slightly heavy

Material Retention

6.0
7.0
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Amesser handheld knife sharpener
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Amesser handheld knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Amesser A-65 manual knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Chef's Choice AngleSelect sharpener
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

7.0
6.0
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8 - (Chicken breast, two swipes)
7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

7.7
5.2
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Amesser A-65 knife sharpener
Close up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Chef's Choice AngleSelect

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.3
9.3

In the Box

The Amesser sharpener next to its package box, a glove, and promotional leaflets
The Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener next to its plastic case

Dimensions

The Amesser handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Chef's Choice 4643 handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Width
1.9" (4.8 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Weight
6.4 oz (183 g)
6.6 oz (187 g)

Build Quality

9.2
9.0
The Amesser’s working section, with the abrasives detached from the base
The Amesser’s working section, with the abrasives detached from the base
The base of the Amesser, when the working section has been detached
The Amesser A-65’s abrasive section as detached from the base
The Chef’s Choice 4643 sharpener disassembled on a cutting board, with a lemon slice
The Chef’s Choice 4643 sharpener disassembled on a cutting board, with a lemon slice
The Chef’s Choice 4643 sharpener disassembled on a cutting board

Working Section

The working section of the Amesser A-65 with 3 abrasive slots: Prep, Sharpen, and Fine
The working section of the Chef's Choice with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
Levels of Sharpening
Prepare, Sharpen, Polish
Coarse, Fine
Abrasive
Diamond-coated rods, tungsten steel blades, ceramic rods
Diamond-coated disks
Mechanism
Pull-through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20°
15° & 20°

Base

The Amesser A-65 knife sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
The Amesser A-65 knife sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
Close-up view of the Amesser sharpener’s base pad
The Amesser A-65 manual sharpener on a salt-sprinkled surface, its base in full view
The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener
The underneath of the Chef's Choice sharpener
One of the feet underneath the Chef's Choice sharpener
Material
ABS plastic
Synthetic rubber
Feet Type
Non-slip rubber base
Slip-proof sole (x 4)

Grip

9.5
10
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
A hand gripping on the Amesser A-65 manual sharpener
A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener
Material
ABS plastic
Rubber

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.1
8.4

Slot Arrangement

10
7.0
The working section on the Amesser A-65, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The Chef’s Choice 4643 manual knife sharpener viewed from the side

Insertion

9.0
8.5
Amesser A-65 Manual Knife Sharpener Insertion 1
Amesser A-65 Manual Knife Sharpener Insertion 1
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser A-65, the sharpener being held in one hand
Close up view of the Chef’s Choice sharpener’s sharpening slots 1, 2, and 3
Close up view of the Chef’s Choice sharpener’s sharpening slots 1, 2, and 3
The working section on the Chef's Choice, with 3 slots featuring diamond-coated abrasive discs

Pulling Through

9.5
8.5
A hand holding the Amesser knife sharpener and sharpening a kitchen knife with it
One of the abrasive slots on the Chef’s Choice 4643 with cutting marks on it

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.0
9.5
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener, with the user’s two hands visible
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice sharpener

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.5
7.0
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice on a salt-sprinkled countertop