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Chef's Choice 4643 vs. PriorityChef Manual Knife Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Chef's Choice 4643 vs. PriorityChef Manual Knife Sharpener Comparison

Overall Verdict

The PriorityChef 2-stage sharpener is a better manual sharpener than most, and it’s an easy pick over the Chef's Choice 4643.

The PriorityChef features a basic, function-oriented design, while the Chef's Choice’s design offers both stability and great comfort. Both sharpeners are sturdy, but the latter is more robust and has a much better fit and finish.

Instead of the blades and rods usually seen on other manual sharpeners, these two employ abrasive wheels, which remove considerably less knife material. However, the ones on the PriorityChef sharpened much faster and more effectively, while those on the Chef’s Choice didn’t seem to hit the knife’s edge at the right angle and delivered rather subpar results.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Works with 20° and 15° edges
  • Compatible with serrated blades
  • Grippy handle
  • Neat, ergonomic overall design
  • Modest height, low center of gravity
  • Full, flat base
  • Gimmick-free design
  • Great edge retention
  • Expensive price
  • Awkward slot layout
  • Cheap base pad
  • Small slot openings

Key Specs

Stages
2
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Diamond discs
Diamond
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Fin
Dimensions
L9.3 x W2.0 x H2.8 inches
L7.9 x W2.4 x H2.6 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$51.51
$22.07

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.3
8.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0
8.8
Sharpening Time
4 minutes
1 minute 15 seconds
Cutting Feel
Slightly heavy
Swift and smooth

Material Retention

7.0
10
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Chef's Choice AngleSelect sharpener
The coarse slot on the Priority Chef sharpener, with metal dust and part the diamond coated abrasive disc shown
The coarse slot on the Priority Chef sharpener, with metal dust and part the diamond coated abrasive disc shown
Sharpening residue in a bowl
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

6.0
8.0
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)
8 (chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

5.2
7.5
Close up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Chef's Choice AngleSelect
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and knife edge after sharpening with the Priority Chef diamond knife sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.3
7.8

In the Box

The Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener next to its plastic case
The Priority Chef diamond sharpener on its package box next to the instruction leaflet

Dimensions

The Chef's Choice 4643 handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Priority Chef 2-stage sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
Length
9.3" (23.6 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Width
2.0" (5.1 cm)
2.4" (6.1 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.1 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Weight
6.6 oz (187 g)
8.3 oz (234 g)

Build Quality

9.0
7.9
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
The Priority Chef sharpener with its logo in full view
The Priority Chef sharpener with its logo in full view
Priority Chef Build Quality 1

Working Section

The working section of the Chef's Choice with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The working section of the Priority Chef with 2 abrasive slots on a plastic frame and part of the handle and base
Levels of Sharpening
Coarse, Fine
Sharpen, Hone
Abrasive
Diamond-coated disks
Diamond-coated coarse disc, ceramic honing disc
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
15° & 20°
17 degrees

Base

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
Priority Chef Base
Material
Synthetic rubber
Stainless steel
Feet Type
Slip-proof sole (x 4)
Sponge pad

Grip

10
7.5
A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener
The grip of the Priority Chef and part of its base
Material
Rubber
Stainless steel

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.4
8.2

Slot Arrangement

7.0
10
The Chef’s Choice 4643 manual knife sharpener viewed from the side
The working section on the Priority Chef, with 2 abrasive slots named Coarse and Fine supported by a black frame

Insertion

8.5
7.0
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
Top view of a kitchen knife being sharpened using the Priority Chef, which is held by a hand

Pulling Through

8.5
8.5
One of the abrasive slots on the Chef’s Choice 4643 with cutting marks on it
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef, and the two hands that hold the knife and the sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.5
8.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice sharpener
A hand holding the Priority Chef on a kitchen countertop and sharpening a knife with it.

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
7.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice on a salt-sprinkled countertop
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles