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Mueller 4-Stage vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Mueller 4-Stage

$13.97 from Amazon

Zwilling Henckels

$24.98 from Amazon
Side-by-Side Comparison: Mueller 4-Stage vs. Zwilling 4-Stage Manual Sharpener

Overall Verdict

Both the Mueller 4-stage and the Zwilling 4-stage manual sharpeners feature a strong and sturdy build. However, the former offers better balance and stability during sharpening thanks to its broader base.

Note that while both sharpeners have four sharpening slots, the Mueller actually reserves three for kitchen knives and the remaining one for scissors. The Zwilling, meanwhile, assigns two slots for each type of knife, namely, standard and Asian.

Neither offered a particularly well-rounded performance. The former was quick and capable, though it was also rigorous on the knife’s edge. The latter produced a smoother edge but took too much time to sharpen. 

All in all, the Mueller is the better choice because it’s faster, more effective, and easier to use— and that is what’s most important in a convenience sharpener.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Strong construction, pretty coloring
  • Quick sharpening
  • Scissor slot
  • Ease of use
  • Substantial weight
  • Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
  • Strong build, high-quality body material
  • Slot cover 
  • Beautiful design
  • High center of gravity
  • Harsh on the knife edge
  • Brittle sharpening blades 
  • Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
  • Awkward grip

Key Specs

Stages
3
2
Scissor sharpener
Yes
No
Abrasives
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Ceramic discs
Grit size
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Coarse, Fine
Dimensions
L9.3 x W1.8 x H3.1 inches
L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$12.35
$29.53
$13.97 at Amazon
$24.98 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.7
4.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

8.8
1.0
Sharpening Time
1 minute 15 seconds
3 minutes
Cutting Feel
Swift and smooth
Slightly forced

Material Retention

5.0
6.0
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Medal dust on the abrasive slots of the Mueller steel knife sharpener
Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife sharpener
Medal dust on an abrasive slot on the Zwilling knife sharpener
A bowl containing metal sharpening residue next to the Zwilling sharpener
Sharpening Time
1 minute
1 minute
Target Sharpness

Maximum Sharpness Achieved

8.0
7.0
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video
ZWILLING Maximum Sharpness Achieved video 1
Sharpening Time
6 minutes
6 minutes
Sharpness Level
8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)
8 - (Chicken breast with skin, 2 swipes)

Edge Smoothness

4.0
7.3
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 edge after sharpening with the Zwilling

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.1
7.5

In the Box

The Mueller 4-stage knife sharpener lying next to its package box, user guide, and promotion leaflets
The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual

Dimensions

The Mueller handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
The Zwilling handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
Length
9.3" (23.6 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Width
1.8" (4.6 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)
Height
3.1" (7.9 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)
Weight
8.6 oz (244 g)
11.2 oz (318 g)

Build Quality

9.1
7.8
The Mueller sharpener standing on a surface
The Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife sharpener standing on a surface

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 Zwilling with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and its clear cover
Levels of Sharpening
Sharpen (slot 1, 2, 3), Hone (slot 4)
Sharpen, Polish
Abrasive
Tungsten carbide blades, diamond rods, ceramic rods
Ceramic blades
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
20 degree
15 degrees, 10 degrees

Base

The Mueller sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
The Zwilling sharpener’s base and base pad
Material
ABS plastic
Plastic
Feet Type
Anti-slip rubber pads
EVA pad

Grip

9.0
6.5
The grip of the Mueller steel knife sharpener and part of its body
The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage knife sharpener
The grip of the Zwilling 4-stage knife sharpener
A hand holding the Zwilling knife sharpener and a hand resting on the table
Material
ABS plastic and rubber
ABS, EVA

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 Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian knives

Insertion

9.0
9.0
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 knife being sharpened with the Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in one hand

Pulling Through

7.5
7.5
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Mueller sharpener
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife sharpener

Stability on a Clean Surface

8.5
7.5
1 hand holding a knife and sharpening it with the Mueller on a countertop, the Mueller held in another hand
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

8.0
6.0
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Mueller sharpener on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop