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Cubikook Manual vs Smith's 50264 Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Cubikook Manual vs Smith's 50264 Manual Sharpener

Overall Verdict

The Cubikook Chef’ Sharpener and the Smith's 50264 are built with different philosophies: The former is all about well-roundedness, while the latter sticks to the job of making the knife as sharp as possible.

The Smith’s is tuned for achieving great sharpness. It boasts thick carbide blades that get the job done more quickly and effectively than most others, the Cubikook included. The blades are adjustable to accommodate different grind angles. Unfortunately, they also peel off a great deal of metal from your knife and leave a wavy edge behind.

The Cubikook, meanwhile, strikes a much better balance between sharpness and usability. It features a more solid build, a large, flat base, and low working section, which makes it much safer and more effortless to use. It doesn’t sharpen as quickly as the Smith’s, but it does create a much finer edge and doesn’t remove so much material.

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Pros & Cons

  • Excellent stability 
  • Affordable price
  • Consistent sharpness
  • Solid and sturdy construction
  • Angle-adjustable sharpening 
  • Sharpening slot for serrated blades included
  • Wide slot inserts
  • Replaceable abrasives (sold separately)
  • Small ceramic rods
  • Flaky brand label
  • Shears off a considerable amount of metal
  • Awkward slot structure
  • Long, narrow base

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Precision-ground carbide, ceramic
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L8.4 x W1.9 x H2.3 inches
L10.5 x W1.3 x H2.9 inches
Suitable for
Quick, casual sharpening on a low budget

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$17.50
$27.38

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.0
6.0

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

7.6
8.0
Sharpening Time
1 minutes 30 seconds
1 minute 25 seconds
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Light and smooth

Material Retention

8.0
3.0
Medal residue on the three abrasive slots on the Cubikook knife sharpener
Medal residue on the three abrasive slots on the Cubikook knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the Cubikook sharpener
Metal residue on the Coarse slot of the Smith’s knife sharpener
Metal residue on the Coarse slot of the Smith’s knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Smith’s 50264 knife sharpener
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

8.0
8.0
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)
8 (Chicken breast with skin, one swipe)

Edge Smoothness

8.7
4.5
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Cubikook Chef' Sharpener
Close-up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Smith’s Pull-thru

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
7.8

In the Box

The Cubikook 3-stage knife sharpener next to its package box
The Smith’s 50264 Adjustable pull-thru sharpener next to its plastic casing

Dimensions

The Cubikook CS-T01 3-stage handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Smith’s adjustable handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
8.4" (21.3 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
1.9" (4.8 cm)
1.3" (3.3 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Weight
7.9 oz (225 g)
8.8 oz (250 g)

Build Quality

8.8
8.2
The abrasives and part of the handle of the Cubikook CS-T01
The Smith’s Pull-thru sharpener with cover and angle knob detached on a cutting board, and a lemon slice

Working Section

The working section of the Cubikook with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its base
Top view of the angle knob on the Smith’s angle adjustable sharpener
Top view of the angle knob on the Smith’s angle adjustable sharpener
The working section of the Smith’s 50264 handheld sharpener, with its Coarse, Serrated, and Fine slots
Levels of Sharpening
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Sharpen, Hone/Polish
Abrasive
Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Precision-ground carbide, crossed ceramic
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20 degrees
14°, 16°, 18°, 20°, 22°, 24°

Base

The Cubikook lying on a tabletop, its base and base pads in full view
The Cubikook lying on a tabletop, its base and base pads in full view
Cubikook Sharpener Base
The Smith’s 50264 lying on a surface with its base and base pads in full view
The Smith’s 50264 lying on a surface with its base and base pads in full view
A base pad of the Smith’s sharpener
Material
ABS plastic
Rubber
Feet Type
silicone base
Slip-proof soles

Grip

7.5
6.5
The grip of the Cubikook kitchen knife sharpener
A hand holding the Smith’s manual knife sharpener
Material
ABS
Rubber

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.4
7.5

Slot Arrangement

10
7.0
The working section on the Cubikook, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The working section of the Smith’s 50264, with the angle knob and the Coarse, Serrated, and Fine abrasive slots

Insertion

9.5
10
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Cubikook, the sharpener being held in one hand
Close-up view of the Coarse slot of the Smith’s sharpener, its blades in full view

Pulling Through

9.0
7.5
Cubikook Pulling Through
Cubikook Knife Sharpener Pulling Through
Close-up view of the Fine slot on the Smith’s pull-thru, with nicks visible on the plastic frame

Stability on a Clean Surface

9.5
7.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Cubikook sharpener on a countertop
The Cubikook has a low height and a wide base which helps minimize the risks of flipping during sharpening.
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 adjustable knife sharpener

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

8.0
6.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Cubikook on a salt-sprinkled countertop
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 Pull-thru sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop