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Gorilla Grip vs. Cubikook CS-T01 Manual Knife Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Gorilla Grip vs. Cubikook CS-T01 Manual Knife Sharpener: Same Sharpness, Different Edge Quality

Overall Verdict

You can trust either the Gorilla Grip or Cubikook CS-T01 to rejuvenate your knife’s edge quickly and effectively, but if you also care about the longevity of your knives, the latter is the better choice.

These devices took exactly the same amount of time in our speed test and brought the knives to the same level of sharpness. However, the Gorilla Grip shaved off a lot more material from the test knife. The edge it produced also had more deformities than that created by the Cubikook.

Both sharpeners are decently built, but the Gorilla Grip suffers from a bumpy base that affects its balance. The Cubikook is not without flaws, but its flaky label and a rotating ceramic rod didn’t seem to have any negative effects on its sharpening performance.

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Pros & Cons

  • Substantial sharpening rods
  • Solid construction
  • Intuitive order of sharpening slots
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Excellent stability 
  • Affordable price
  • Consistent sharpness
  • Solid and sturdy construction
  • Tapered and bumpy base
  • Poorly fitted rubber feet
  • Small ceramic rods
  • Flaky brand label

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
L8.4 x W1.9 x H2.3 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$9.43
$17.50

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.5
8.0

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

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

Material Retention

5.0
8.0
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
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
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, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

5.0
8.7
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 Cubikook Chef' Sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.8
8.5

In the Box

The Gorilla Grip sharpener on top of its package box with the instruction manual on the left side
The Cubikook 3-stage knife sharpener next to its package box

Dimensions

The Gorilla Grip handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Cubikook CS-T01 3-stage handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
7.9" (20.1 cm)
8.4" (21.3 cm)
Width
1.9" (4.8 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.6 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Weight
6.6 oz (187 g)
7.9 oz (225 g)

Build Quality

8.5
8.8
The Gorilla Grip sharpener lying on a surface, with its base visible
The abrasives and part of the handle of the Cubikook CS-T01

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 Cubikook with 3 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its base
Levels of Sharpening
Prep, Sharpen, Polish
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Abrasive
Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20 degrees
20 degrees

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 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
Material
rubber
ABS plastic
Feet Type
non-slip pad
silicone base

Grip

9.5
7.5
The Gorilla Grip sharpener standing on a surface
The grip of the Cubikook kitchen knife sharpener
Material
Thermoplastic rubber
ABS

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.6
9.4

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 Cubikook, with 3 slots featuring diamond rods, tungsten carbide blades, ceramic rods

Insertion

9.0
9.5
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Gorilla Grip, the sharpener being held in one hand
Top view of a knife being sharpened with the Cubikook, the sharpener being held in one hand

Pulling Through

8.5
9.0
Two hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener
Cubikook Pulling Through
Cubikook Knife Sharpener Pulling Through

Stability on a Clean Surface

8.0
9.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip sharpener on a countertop
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.

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
8.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Gorilla Grip on a salt-sprinkled countertop
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Cubikook on a salt-sprinkled countertop