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Zwilling 4-Stage vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Manual Sharpener Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated
Zwilling 4-Stage vs. PriorityChef 2-Stage Manual Sharpener: When Fewer Is Better

Overall Verdict

The Zwilling 4-stage sharpener has a stronger build and double the number of sharpening slots that the PriorityChef has. However, when put through the test, the latter proved to be superior in all the important parameters.

The Zwilling sharpener features sharpening blades, which unfortunately peeled off a lot of knife material while taking more time than most sharpeners to produce results. The blades themselves were brittle and started to chip after only a few sharpening sessions.

With the exception of  a cheap-looking base that reflects its affordable price, the PriorityChef is actually a well-designed item. More importantly, it performed well in all of our tests. This sharpener performed quickly and produced an edge that was not only sharp but also smooth while removing only a negligible amount of knife steel. It was therefore a very easy choice for us over the Zwilling.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Substantial weight
  • Sharpens both Asian and standard knives
  • Strong build, high-quality body material
  • Slot cover 
  • Beautiful design
  • Modest height, low center of gravity
  • Full, flat base
  • Gimmick-free design
  • Great edge retention
  • Brittle sharpening blades 
  • Anti-slip pad doesn’t fully cover the base
  • Awkward grip
  • Cheap base pad
  • Small slot openings

Key Specs

Stages
2
2
Scissor sharpener
No
No
Abrasives
Ceramic discs
Diamond
Grit size
Coarse, Fine
Coarse, Fin
Dimensions
L9.3 x W1.7 x H3.1 inches
L7.9 x W2.4 x H2.6 inches

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$29.53
$22.07

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
4.7
8.7

Sharpening Time to Cut a Lemon

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

Material Retention

6.0
10
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
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

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

Edge Smoothness

7.3
7.5
Close up view in vignette of the knife blade and edge after sharpening with the Zwilling
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
7.5
7.8

In the Box

The Zwilling Henckels knife sharpener in between its clear plastic case and instruction manual
The Priority Chef diamond sharpener on its package box next to the instruction leaflet

Dimensions

The Zwilling 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
1.7" (4.3 cm)
2.4" (6.1 cm)
Height
3.1" (7.9 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Weight
11.2 oz (318 g)
8.3 oz (234 g)

Build Quality

7.8
7.9
The Zwilling Henckels 4-stage knife 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 Zwilling with 4 abrasive slots on a frame and its clear cover
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, Polish
Sharpen, Hone
Abrasive
Ceramic blades
Diamond-coated coarse disc, ceramic honing disc
Mechanism
Pull through
Pull through
Sharpening Angle
15 degrees, 10 degrees
17 degrees

Base

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
Priority Chef Base
Material
Plastic
Stainless steel
Feet Type
EVA pad
Sponge pad

Grip

6.5
7.5
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
The grip of the Priority Chef and part of its base
Material
ABS, EVA
Stainless steel

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.2
8.2

Slot Arrangement

10
10
The working section on the Zwilling sharpener, with 4 slots featuring Coarse and Fine gits for standard and Asian 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 knife being sharpened with the Zwilling pro 4 stage sharpener, the sharpener being held in 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 Zwilling Henckels 4 stage knife 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

7.5
8.0
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling knife sharpener on a countertop
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
2 hands holding and sharpening a kitchen knife with the Zwilling 4-stage sharpener on a salt-sprinkled countertop
A kitchen knife being sharpened with the Priority Chef on a countertop sprinkled with salt particles