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Smith's 50264 vs Mueller 4-Stage Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

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Smith's 50264 vs Mueller 4-Stage Manual Sharpener: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Overall Verdict

The Mueller isn’t a perfect manual sharpener, but it certainly has an edge over the Smith’s 50264.

Both devices are fast and effective, with the Mueller leading the speed test by about 10 seconds. The Mueller was also more forgiving of the knife’s edge, though admittedly only because the Smith’s was the most detrimental of all the pull-through devices we’ve tested to date, scoring low in both material retention and edge smoothness.

The Smith’s is more versatile in terms of edge angle. However, this is also where its Achilles’ heel lies: It sacrifices sturdiness for adjustability. The sharpener also sports a very narrow base, which further limits its ability to stay firm and balanced during sharpening.

The Mueller does suffer from a working section that’s placed a bit too far above its base, but its base size was enough to ensure decent stability. Overall, it’s the safer and easier sharpener to work with.

Ranking by
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Pros & Cons

  • Angle-adjustable sharpening 
  • Sharpening slot for serrated blades included
  • Wide slot inserts
  • Replaceable abrasives (sold separately)
  • Strong construction, pretty coloring
  • Quick sharpening
  • Scissor slot
  • Ease of use
  • Shears off a considerable amount of metal
  • Awkward slot structure
  • Long, narrow base
  • High center of gravity
  • Harsh on the knife edge

Key Specs

Stages
2
3
Scissor sharpener
No
Yes
Abrasives
Precision-ground carbide, ceramic
Diamond, tungsten carbide, ceramic
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Medium, Fine
Dimensions
L10.5 x W1.3 x H2.9 inches
L9.3 x W1.8 x H3.1 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$27.38
$12.35

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.0
6.7

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
5.0
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
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Metal sharpening residue in a bowl
Medal dust on the abrasive slots of the Mueller steel knife 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, one swipe)
8 (Chicken breast with skin, 1 swipe)

Edge Smoothness

4.5
4.0
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 Mueller knife sharpener

Design

Overall Design Scoring
7.8
9.1

In the Box

The Smith’s 50264 Adjustable pull-thru sharpener next to its plastic casing
The Mueller 4-stage knife sharpener lying next to its package box, user guide, and promotion leaflets

Dimensions

The Smith’s adjustable handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions
The Mueller handheld sharpener with arrows and figures showing its dimensions.
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
9.3" (23.6 cm)
Width
1.3" (3.3 cm)
1.8" (4.6 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.4 cm)
3.1" (7.9 cm)
Weight
8.8 oz (250 g)
8.6 oz (244 g)

Build Quality

8.2
9.1
The Smith’s Pull-thru sharpener with cover and angle knob detached on a cutting board, and a lemon slice
The Mueller sharpener standing on a surface

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 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
Levels of Sharpening
Sharpen, Hone/Polish
Sharpen (slot 1, 2, 3), Hone (slot 4)
Abrasive
Precision-ground carbide, crossed ceramic
Tungsten carbide blades, diamond rods, ceramic rods
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
14°, 16°, 18°, 20°, 22°, 24°
20 degree

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
The Mueller sharpener lying on a surface with its base in full view
Material
Rubber
ABS plastic
Feet Type
Slip-proof soles
Anti-slip rubber pads

Grip

6.5
9.0
A hand holding the Smith’s manual knife sharpener
The grip of the Mueller steel knife sharpener and part of its body
Material
Rubber
ABS plastic and rubber

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
7.5
8.2

Slot Arrangement

7.0
7.0
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 Mueller handheld sharpener, with 1 slot for scissors and slots 2, 3, 4 for knives

Insertion

10
9.0
Close-up view of the Coarse slot of the Smith’s sharpener, its blades in full view
Top view of a kitchen knife in one of the Mueller’s abrasive slots, the sharpener being held by one hand

Pulling Through

7.5
7.5
Close-up view of the Fine slot on the Smith’s pull-thru, with nicks visible on the plastic frame
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Mueller sharpener

Stability on Clean Surface

7.0
8.5
A person sharpening a knife with the Smith’s 50264 adjustable knife sharpener
1 hand holding a knife and sharpening it with the Mueller on a countertop, the Mueller held in another hand

Stability on a Wet and Dirty Surface

6.0
8.0
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 Mueller sharpener on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles