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Smith's 50264 Adjustable vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Smith's Adjustable

$27.01 from Amazon

PriorityChef

$6.19 from Amazon(+1 more)
How the Smith's 50264 Adjustable vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Sharpener Measure Up

Overall Verdict

The Smith's 50264 is an example of a product that looks better than it can perform. The PriorityChef is a mirror opposite.

The Smith's 50264 comes with an adjustable edge angle, which in theory should allow you to find a balance between sharpness and edge retention. In practice, however, its abrasive blades did sharpen quickly and effectively, but the flexibility resulted in a rough, wavy knife edge. The device’s long and narrow base means you have to exert force to keep it balanced during sharpening.

The PriorityChef, on the other hand, has a rather plain design, but its low center of gravity and wide base offer good balance and stability. Its abrasive discs can quickly produce a sharp and smooth edge without the excessive removal of knife material. It’s the better choice, both in efficiency and design.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • Angle-adjustable sharpening 
  • Sharpening slot for serrated blades included
  • Wide slot inserts
  • Replaceable abrasives (sold separately)
  • Modest height, low center of gravity
  • Full, flat base
  • Gimmick-free design
  • Great edge retention
  • Shears off a considerable amount of metal
  • Awkward slot structure
  • Long, narrow base
  • Cheap base pad
  • Small slot openings

Key Specs

Stages
2
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Precision-ground carbide, ceramic
Diamond
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Fin
Dimensions
L10.5 x W1.3 x H2.9 inches
L7.9 x W2.4 x H2.6 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$27.38
$22.07
$27.01 at Amazon
$6.19 at AmazonCheck Price on Priority Chef

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.0
8.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

8.0
8.8
Sharpening Time
1 minute 25 seconds
1 minute 15 seconds
Cutting Feel
Light and smooth
Swift and smooth

Material Retention

3.0
10
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
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, one swipe)
8 (chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

4.5
7.5
Close-up view of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Smith’s Pull-thru
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
7.8
7.8

In the Box

The Smith’s 50264 Adjustable pull-thru sharpener next to its plastic casing
The Priority Chef diamond sharpener on its package box next to the instruction leaflet

Dimensions

The Smith’s adjustable handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Priority Chef 2-stage sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
7.9" (20.1 cm)
Width
1.3" (3.3 cm)
2.4" (6.1 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Weight
8.8 oz (250 g)
8.3 oz (234 g)

Build Quality

8.2
7.9
The Smith’s Pull-thru sharpener with cover and angle knob detached on a cutting board, and a lemon slice
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

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
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, Hone/Polish
Sharpen, Hone
Abrasive
Precision-ground carbide, crossed ceramic
Diamond-coated coarse disc, ceramic honing disc
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
14°, 16°, 18°, 20°, 22°, 24°
17 degrees

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
Priority Chef Base
Material
Rubber
Stainless steel
Feet Type
Slip-proof soles
Sponge pad

Grip

6.5
7.5
A hand holding the Smith’s manual knife sharpener
The grip of the Priority Chef and part of its base
Material
Rubber
Stainless steel

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.5
8.2

Slot Arrangement

7.0
10
The working section of the Smith’s 50264, with the angle knob and the Coarse, Serrated, and Fine abrasive slots
The working section on the Priority Chef, with 2 abrasive slots named Coarse and Fine supported by a black frame

Insertion

10
7.0
Close-up view of the Coarse slot of the Smith’s sharpener, its blades in full view
Top view of a kitchen knife being sharpened using the Priority Chef, which is held by a hand

Pulling Through

7.5
8.5
Close-up view of the Fine slot on the Smith’s pull-thru, with nicks visible on the plastic frame
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef, and the two hands that hold the knife and the sharpener

Stability on Clean Surface

7.0
8.0
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 adjustable knife sharpener
A hand holding the Priority Chef on a kitchen countertop and sharpening a knife with it.

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

6.0
7.0
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 Pull-thru sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles