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KitchenIQ 50009 Manual vs Smith's 50264 Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

KitchenIQ 50009

$9.22 from Amazon

Smith's Adjustable

$27.01 from Amazon
KitchenIQ 50009 Manual vs Smith's 50264 Manual Sharpener

Overall Verdict

The Smith’s would be our pick over the KitchenIQ because it’s faster and more effective. Of course that’s not to say the KitchenIQ is without its own advantages.

The problem with the Smith’s is its instability in the working section, which results in a wavy knife edge. Its long thin body means you have to strain more to keep it in place, too.

The KitchenIQ, while being much smaller, feels much more solid and stable. It’s also gentler on the knife edge, though admittedly that doesn’t mean so much as it doesn’t really sharpen to the degree the Smith’s does.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • Easy storage
  • Affordable price 
  • Base works on both counter edge and flat surfaces 
  • Simple, sturdy design
  • Angle-adjustable sharpening 
  • Sharpening slot for serrated blades included
  • Wide slot inserts
  • Replaceable abrasives (sold separately)
  • Awkward small size
  • Long sharpening time
  • Shears off a considerable amount of metal
  • Awkward slot structure
  • Long, narrow base

Key Specs

Stages
2
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Tungsten carbide, ceramic
Precision-ground carbide, ceramic
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L3.7 x W2.1 x H1.8 inches
L10.5 x W1.3 x H2.9 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$10.67
$27.38
$9.22 at Amazon
$27.01 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.3
6.0

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

1.0
8.0
Sharpening Time
3 minutes 35 seconds
1 minute 25 seconds
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Light and smooth

Material Retention

6.0
3.0
Top view of a bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the KitchenIQ sharpener
Top view of a bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the KitchenIQ sharpener
Metal residue on the abrasive slots on the KitchenIQ knife 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

6.0
8.0
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
7 (ripe tomatoes, 1 swipe)
8 (Chicken breast with skin, one swipe)

Edge Smoothness

6.5
4.5
Close up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the KitchenIQ 50009
Close-up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Smith’s Pull-thru

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.1
7.8

In the Box

The KitchenIQ 50009 sharpener on its side next to its package
The Smith’s 50264 Adjustable pull-thru sharpener next to its plastic casing

Dimensions

The KitchenIQ 50009 handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Smith’s adjustable handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
3.7" (9.4 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
2.0" (5.1 cm)
1.3" (3.3 cm)
Height
1.8" (4.6 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Weight
2.0 oz (57 g)
8.8 oz (250 g)

Build Quality

8.7
8.2
The KitchenIQ Edge Grip knife sharpener in an open hand
The Smith’s Pull-thru sharpener with cover and angle knob detached on a cutting board, and a lemon slice

Working Section

The Kitchen IQ’s working section, with a Coarse slot and a Fine slot
The Kitchen IQ’s working section, with a Coarse slot and a Fine slot
The KitchenIQ’s working section from above
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, Fine
Sharpen, Hone/Polish
Abrasive
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

KitchenIQ 50009 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
Silicone
Rubber
Feet Type
Edge gripper
Slip-proof soles

Grip

6.5
6.5
The grip of the KitchenIQ edge grip sharpener
A hand holding the Smith’s manual knife sharpener
Material
Silicone
Rubber

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.2
7.5

Slot Arrangement

7.0
7.0
The working section on the KitchenIQ 50009, with one Coarse slot and one Fine slot
The working section of the Smith’s 50264, with the angle knob and the Coarse, Serrated, and Fine abrasive slots

Insertion

7.0
10
A knife being sharpened with the KitchenIQ, 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

7.0
7.5
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

10
7.0
Two hands holding and sharpening a knife with the KitchenIQ on a countertop edge
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 adjustable knife sharpener

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

7.0
6.0
Two hands holding and sharpening a knife with the KitchenIQ on a salt-sprinkled countertop
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 Pull-thru sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop