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Amesser A-65 vs Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Amesser A-65 vs Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener: When Less Is More

Overall Verdict

The Zwilling 4-stage sharpener has a lot more potential on paper, but when put to the test, it couldn’t perform to the level the Amesser A-65 did.

The Zwilling sharpener has a solid, weighted body that really matches its high price tag, but it also suffers from an awkward grip and a narrow base. Despite impressing-looking abrasive blades, it was slow to make an improvement on the sharpness of the knife’s edge.

The Amesser has a more common design, but it’s strong, sturdy, and keeps its balance well. It’s not a fast sharpener, per se, but performed significantly better than the former in our speed test. The two gained similar scores in terms of sharpness, edge smoothness, and material retention. 

In the end, its faster speed and better usability make the Amesser the better choice. The cheaper price is just the cherry on top.

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
  • Substantial weight
  • Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
  • Strong build, high-quality body material
  • Slot cover 
  • Beautiful design
  • Tapered base
  • High center of gravity
  • Brittle sharpening blades 
  • Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
  • Awkward grip

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpene
No
No
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Ceramic discs
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L7.9 x W1.9 x H2.9 inches
L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$16.60
$29.53

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.3
4.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

5.2
1.0
Sharpening Time
2 minutes
3 minutes
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Slightly forced

Material Retention

6.0
6.0
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
Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife sharpener
Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the Zwilling sharpener
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

7.0
7.0
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8 - (Chicken breast, two swipes)
8 - (Chicken breast with skin, 2 swipes)

Edge Smoothness

7.7
7.3
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 Zwilling

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.3
7.5

In the Box

The Amesser sharpener next to its package box, a glove, and promotional leaflets
The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual

Dimensions

The Amesser handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Zwilling 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)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.4 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)
Weight
6.4 oz (183 g)
11.2 oz (318 g)

Build Quality

9.2
7.8
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 Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

Working Section

The working section of the Amesser A-65 with 3 abrasive slots: Prep, Sharpen, and Fine
The working section of the Zwilling with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and its clear cover
Levels of Sharpening
Prepare, Sharpen, Polish
Sharpen, Polish
Abrasive
Diamond-coated rods, tungsten steel blades, ceramic rods
Ceramic blades
Mechanism
Pull-through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20°
15 degrees, 10 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 Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener’s base and base pad
Material
ABS plastic
Plastic
Feet Type
Non-slip rubber base
EVA pad

Grip

9.5
6.5
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
A hand gripping on the Amesser A-65 manual sharpener
The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage knife sharpener
The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage knife sharpener
A hand holding the Zwilling knife sharpener and a hand resting on the table
Material
ABS plastic
ABS, EVA

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.1
8.2

Slot Arrangement

10
10
The working section on the Amesser A-65, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The working section on the Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian 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 Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in one hand

Pulling Through

9.5
7.5
A hand holding the Amesser knife sharpener and sharpening a kitchen knife with it
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.0
7.5
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 Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.5
6.0
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 Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop