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Mueller 4-Stage vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Mueller 4-Stage

Check Price on Amazon

PriorityChef

$5.99 from Amazon(+1 more)
Mueller 4-Stage vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Sharpener: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Overall Verdict

The Mueller has a stronger build and more sharpening slots but we’re leaning toward the PriorityChef for better edge retention and knife longevity.

The Mueller boasts a large and robust body with one sharpening slot for scissors and three for kitchen knives. It produced a sharp edge quickly but not without shaving off a great deal of material. The edge ended up overly narrow and rough, leaving it prone to chipping.

The PriorityChef is more modest both in size and build quality. Fortunately, its working section does the business much better than the rest of its body suggests. Sharpening to the same speed and level as the Mueller, its two abrasive discs only removed a fraction of the amount of knife material. It also gave us a much finer and smoother knife edge.

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Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Strong construction, pretty coloring
  • Quick sharpening
  • Scissor slot
  • Ease of use
  • Modest height, low center of gravity
  • Full, flat base
  • Gimmick-free design
  • Great edge retention
  • High center of gravity
  • Harsh on the knife edge
  • Cheap base pad
  • Small slot openings

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpener
Yes
No
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Diamond
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fin
Dimensions
L9.3 x W1.8 x H3.1 inches
L7.9 x W2.4 x H2.6 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$12.35
$22.07
Check Price on Amazon
$5.99 at AmazonCheck Price on Priority Chef

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
8.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

8.8
8.8
Sharpening Time
1 minute 15 seconds
1 minute 15 seconds
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Swift and smooth

Material Retention

5.0
10
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Medal dust on the abrasive slots of the Mueller steel knife sharpener
The coarse slot on the Priority Chef sharpener, with metal dust and part the diamond coated abrasive disc shown
The coarse slot on the Priority Chef sharpener, with metal dust and part the diamond coated abrasive disc shown
Sharpening residue in a bowl
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

4.0
7.5
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and knife edge after sharpening with the Mueller knife sharpener
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and knife edge after sharpening with the Priority Chef diamond knife sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.1
7.8

In the Box

The Mueller 4-stage knife sharpener lying next to its package box, user guide, and promotion leaflets
The Priority Chef diamond sharpener on its package box next to the instruction leaflet

Dimensions

The Mueller handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
The Priority Chef 2-stage sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
Length
9.3" (23.6 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.6 cm)
2.4" (6.1 cm)
Height
3.1" (7.9 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Weight
8.6 oz (244 g)
8.3 oz (234 g)

Build Quality

9.1
7.9
The Mueller sharpener standing on a surface
The Priority Chef sharpener with its logo in full view
The Priority Chef sharpener with its logo in full view
Priority Chef Build Quality 1

Working Section

The working section of the Mueller with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
The working section of the Mueller with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and part of its handle and base
Top view of the abrasive slots of the Mueller handheld sharpener, with scissor slot, tungsten blades, diamond rods, and ceramic rods
The working section of the Priority Chef with 2 abrasive slots on a plastic frame and part of the handle and base
Levels of Sharpening
Sharpen (slot 1, 2, 3), Hone (slot 4)
Sharpen, Hone
Abrasive
Tungsten carbide blades, diamond rods, ceramic rods
Diamond-coated coarse disc, ceramic honing disc
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20 degree
17 degrees

Base

The Mueller sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
Priority Chef Base
Material
ABS plastic
Stainless steel
Feet Type
Anti-slip rubber pads
Sponge pad

Grip

9.0
7.5
The grip of the Mueller steel knife sharpener and part of its body
The grip of the Priority Chef and part of its base
Material
ABS plastic and rubber
Stainless steel

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.2
8.2

Slot Arrangement

7.0
10
The working section on the Mueller handheld sharpener, with 1 slot for scissors and slots 2, 3, 4 for knives
The working section on the Priority Chef, with 2 abrasive slots named Coarse and Fine supported by a black frame

Insertion

9.0
7.0
Top view of a kitchen knife in one of the Mueller’s abrasive slots, the sharpener being held by one hand
Top view of a kitchen knife being sharpened using the Priority Chef, which is held by a hand

Pulling Through

7.5
8.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Mueller sharpener
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef, and the two hands that hold the knife and the sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

8.5
8.0
1 hand holding a knife and sharpening it with the Mueller on a countertop, the Mueller held in another hand
A hand holding the Priority Chef on a kitchen countertop and sharpening a knife with it.

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

8.0
7.0
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Mueller sharpener on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles