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Chef's Choice 4643 vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Chef's Choice 4643

$55.49 from Amazon

Zwilling Henckels

$24.98 from Amazon
Chef's Choice 4643 vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener: When You Don’t Get What You Pay for

Overall Verdict

The Chef's Choice 4643 and the Zwilling are multi-angle sharpeners and both belong to the more expensive side of the price spectrum. Unfortunately, neither offered a performance to match its price.

Each took 4 and 3 minutes respectively to complete our speed test, against an average of a few seconds over 2 minutes. They both produced a sharper edge but not to any significant degree. The former fared better in terms of material retention while the latter produced a smoother and straighter edge.

The Chef's Choice 4643 enjoys better stability thanks to its wide base and low center of gravity. The Zwilling sharpener, while seemingly made of premium materials, features a narrow body that kept threatening to tip over during sharpening.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Works with 20° and 15° edges
  • Compatible with serrated blades
  • Grippy handle
  • Neat, ergonomic overall design
  • Substantial weight
  • Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
  • Strong build, high-quality body material
  • Slot cover 
  • Beautiful design
  • Expensive price
  • Awkward slot layout
  • Brittle sharpening blades 
  • Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
  • Awkward grip

Key Specs

Stages
2
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Diamond discs
Ceramic discs
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L9.3 x W2.0 x H2.8 inches
L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$51.51
$29.53
$55.49 at Amazon
$24.98 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.3
4.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0
1.0
Sharpening Time
4 minutes
3 minutes
Cutting Feel
Slightly heavy
Slightly forced

Material Retention

7.0
6.0
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Chef's Choice AngleSelect 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

6.0
7.0
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
7 (Ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)
8 - (Chicken breast with skin, 2 swipes)

Edge Smoothness

5.2
7.3
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 edge after sharpening with the Zwilling

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.3
7.5

In the Box

The Chef’s Choice manual knife sharpener next to its plastic case
The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual

Dimensions

The Chef's Choice 4643 handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Zwilling handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
9.3" (23.6 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Width
2.0" (5.1 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.1 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)
Weight
6.6 oz (187 g)
11.2 oz (318 g)

Build Quality

9.0
7.8
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 Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

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 Zwilling with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and its clear cover
Levels of Sharpening
Coarse, Fine
Sharpen, Polish
Abrasive
Diamond-coated disks
Ceramic blades
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
15° & 20°
15 degrees, 10 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
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
Synthetic rubber
Plastic
Feet Type
Slip-proof sole (x 4)
EVA pad

Grip

10
6.5
A hand holding the Chef’s Choice manual knife 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
Rubber
ABS, EVA

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 Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian knives

Insertion

8.5
9.0
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 knife being sharpened with the Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in one hand

Pulling Through

8.5
7.5
One of the abrasive slots on the Chef’s Choice 4643 with cutting marks on it
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.5
7.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice sharpener
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
6.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Chef's Choice on a salt-sprinkled countertop
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop