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Amesser A-65 vs. Sharpal 191H Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Amesser A-65

$16.99 from Amazon

Sharpal 191H

$14.99 from Amazon
Amesser A-65 vs. Sharpal 191H Manual Sharpener: When a Conventional Design Has the Upper Hand

Overall Verdict

While they couldn’t look more different from each other, the Amesser A-65 and the Sharpal 191H performed to quite similar levels.

Despite having one less sharpening slot, the Sharpal proved to be faster and more effective in our tests and slightly outdid the Amesser in material retention too. However, the margins in all those three categories were modest. The two also ended up with close scores on edge smoothness.

When it comes to design and ease of use, the Amesser definitely has the upper hand. Its conventional full body makes it easy to grab and work with, whereas the Sharpal’s cylindrical shape and unstable suction base makes sharpening challenging if not dangerous. For that reason, the Amesser ended up with a higher overall rating.

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
  • Small footprint
  • Affordable price
  • One-handed sharpening (when the base works)
  • Tapered base
  • High center of gravity
  • Suction cup only works on particular surfaces
  • Ceramic blades don’t seem to work

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpene
No
Yes
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
tungsten carbide, ceramic
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L7.9 x W1.9 x H2.9 inches
L2.76 x W2.36 x H2.76 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$16.60
$13.93
$16.99 at Amazon
$14.99 at Amazon

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.3
7.0

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

5.2
6.4
Sharpening Time
2 minutes
1 minute 45 seconds
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Swift and smooth

Material Retention

6.0
6.7
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
Medal residue on an abrasive slot on the Sharpal knife sharpener
Medal residue on an abrasive slot on the Sharpal knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

7.0
8.0
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8 - (Chicken breast, two swipes)
8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

7.7
7.5
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Amesser A-65 knife sharpener
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Sharpal

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.3
7.2

In the Box

The Amesser sharpener next to its package box, a glove, and promotional leaflets
The Sharpal sharpener with its package box on its left and instruction manual on its right

Dimensions

The Amesser handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Sharpal sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Width
1.9" (4.8 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)
Weight
6.4 oz (183 g)
3.0 oz (84 g)

Build Quality

9.2
7.2
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 Sharpal suction knife sharpener

Working Section

The working section of the Amesser A-65 with 3 abrasive slots: Prep, Sharpen, and Fine
The working section on the Sharpal, from left: scissor slot, slot 1, slot 2
Levels of Sharpening
Prepare, Sharpen, Polish
Sharpen, Hone
Abrasive
Diamond-coated rods, tungsten steel blades, ceramic rods
Tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Mechanism
Pull-through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20°
20 degrees

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 Sharpal knife sharpener lying upside down with its base in full view
Material
ABS plastic
Rubber
Feet Type
Non-slip rubber base
Suction cup

Grip

9.5
7.0
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
A hand gripping on the Amesser A-65 manual sharpener
The lever on the Sharpal knife sharpener
The lever on the Sharpal knife sharpener
The lever on the Sharpal knife sharpener
Material
ABS plastic
Plastic

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.1
7.2

Slot Arrangement

10
6.5
The working section on the Amesser A-65, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The working section on the Sharpal, with a scissor slot and slots 1 and 2 for kitchen knives

Insertion

9.0
9.0
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
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Sharpal knife and scissor sharpener

Pulling Through

9.5
6.0
A hand holding the Amesser knife sharpener and sharpening a kitchen knife with it
A hand holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Sharpal knife sharpener sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.0
8.0
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener, with the user’s two hands visible
A kitchen knife sharpened with the Sharpal sharpener on a countertop

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.5
3.0
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 knife with the Sharpal knife sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop