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Gorilla Grip vs Amesser A-65 Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Gorilla Grip

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Amesser A-65

$16.99 from Amazon
Gorilla Grip vs Amesser A-65 Manual Sharpener: Same Look, Different Traits

Overall Verdict

The Gorilla Grip and the Amesser A-65 look almost identical and achieved the same overall score of 7.6. Interestingly, they performed rather differently in our tests. 

The Gorilla Grip seems to follow a more aggressive approach to sharpening: It peeled a lot of material away from the knife to create a rough, but sharp edge. The Amesser produced a smoother edge; on the other hand, it took its sweet time about it, hence the lower overall performance rating.

Despite the palpable similarities in design, the Gorilla Grip’s uneven base pad caused it to lose its balance more often, which made sharpening with it more challenging. The Amesser has a better fit and finish, and enjoys higher scores in both build quality and ease of use. 

In the end, your choice between the two may largely come down to personal preference. You may also want to check out the Kitchellence, which has the exact same design but got a higher rating. For a (better) change, however, look into the Cubikook or the PriorityChef sharpener.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Substantial sharpening rods
  • Solid construction
  • Intuitive order of sharpening slots
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Affordable
  • Instinctive and easy to use
  • Well-built with a solid design
  • Grippy and comfortable handle
  • Safety glove included
  • Tapered and bumpy base
  • Poorly fitted rubber feet
  • Tapered base
  • High center of gravity

Key Specs

Stages
3
3
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Dimensions
L7.9 x W1.9 x H3.0 inches
L7.9 x W1.9 x H2.9 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$9.43
$16.60
Check Price on Amazon
$16.99 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.5
6.3

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

7.6
5.2
Sharpening Time
1 minute 30 seconds
2 minutes
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Swift and smooth

Material Retention

5.0
6.0
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Gorilla Grip knife sharpener
Metal residue on an abrasive slot on the Gorilla Grip knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the base of the Gorilla Grip sharpener
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
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

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

Edge Smoothness

5.0
7.7
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Gorilla Grip
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Amesser A-65 knife sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.8
9.3

In the Box

The Gorilla Grip sharpener on top of its package box with the instruction manual on the left side
The Amesser sharpener next to its package box, a glove, and promotional leaflets

Dimensions

The Gorilla Grip handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Amesser handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Width
1.9" (4.8 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.6 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Weight
6.6 oz (187 g)
6.4 oz (183 g)

Build Quality

8.5
9.2
The Gorilla Grip sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
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

Working Section

The working section of the Gorilla Grip with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The working section of the Gorilla Grip with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The Gorilla Grip’s diamond-coated rod abrasives
The Gorilla Grip’s tungsten blade abrasives
The Gorilla Grip’s ceramic rod abrasives
The working section of the Amesser A-65 with 3 abrasive slots: Prep, Sharpen, and Fine
Levels of Sharpening
Prep, Sharpen, Polish
Prepare, Sharpen, Polish
Abrasive
Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Diamond-coated rods, tungsten steel blades, ceramic rods
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull-through
Sharpening Angle
20 degrees
20°

Base

The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad
The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad
The Gorilla Grip’s base and base pad at the handle
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
Material
rubber
ABS plastic
Feet Type
non-slip pad
Non-slip rubber base

Grip

9.5
9.5
The Gorilla Grip sharpener standing on a surface
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
The grip of the Amesser sharpener
A hand gripping on the Amesser A-65 manual sharpener
Material
Thermoplastic rubber
ABS plastic

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.6
9.1

Slot Arrangement

10
10
The working section on the Gorilla Grip, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
The working section on the Amesser A-65, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods

Insertion

9.0
9.0
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Gorilla Grip, the sharpener being held in one hand
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

Pulling Through

8.5
9.5
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener
A hand holding the Amesser knife sharpener and sharpening a kitchen knife with it

Stability on a Clean Surface

8.0
9.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener on a countertop
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener, with the user’s two hands visible

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
7.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip on a salt-sprinkled countertop
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Amesser 3-slot knife sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop