Trusted Kitchen Tool Reviews | 2025
The Best Knife Sharpener of 2025 (After 60 Days Tested)
We put the three top rolling knife sharpeners from Novara, HORL, and Siraat's Kitchen through 60 days of daily kitchen use. Here's what came out ahead.
By Chef Daniel Hartley | March 2025
Check Out Our FavouriteAt TheKitchenCritique, we judge kitchen tools by real kitchen use, not brand hype.
We compared the Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener against the HORL®3 and Siraat's Kitchen Rolling Sharpener, focusing on what actually matters: sharpening speed, real diamond grit, magnetic angle control, hardwood build, and long-term durability.
Our team has tested over 40 sharpening tools, and this guide reflects what we'd actually recommend to anyone who cares about a sharp knife.
Best overall sharpener:
Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener
Most premium build:
HORL®3 Rolling Sharpener
Popular alternative:
Siraat's Kitchen Rolling Sharpener
What We Look For in a Great Knife Sharpener
Sharpens In Minutes, Not Hours
A good sharpener works fast or you stop reaching for it. The Novara took roughly five rolls per side to bring a dull paring knife back to slicing tomato skin. About five times faster than the whetstone we use.
Real Diamond Grit That Cuts Hard Steel
A sharpener is only as good as the abrasive on it. The Novara uses fine diamond grit (D35) bonded to the rolling discs, hard enough to bite into high carbon Japanese steel without chewing up the edge.
Solid Hardwood Build That Stays True
The rolling cylinder is solid hardwood, not hollow plastic. It has weight in your hand and rolls true. Cheaper plastic copies wobble at the bearing and throw the angle off enough to ruin a good edge.
Two Angles for Japanese and Western Knives
The magnetic block has two slots: 15 degrees for thinner Japanese blades, 20 degrees for Western chef knives. Most rolling sharpeners only give you one angle.
Easy and Safe Enough for Anyone
The magnetic block holds the blade flat against the disc, so you cannot mess up the angle even on your first try. No exposed fingers near the abrasive.
Each of these sharpeners has its strengths, from premium aesthetics to budget price tags. Only one consistently came out ahead across every category.
Find Out About Our Number 1 →Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener
Rated 9.7 / 10.0
One thing that stood out immediately: the discs. In a category full of cheap ceramic and gimmicky pull-through tools, the Novara's diamond-coated discs cut hard steel quickly without grinding away too much metal. Two angles, magnetic block, solid hardwood roller. A rare combination at this price.
What We Loved:
- Five rolls per side restores a dull edge to slicing sharp
- Real diamond grit (D35), seriously bites hard Japanese steel
- Magnetic block holds 15 or 20 degree angle exactly
- Solid hardwood roller, has weight and runs true
- Lifetime warranty plus 60-day money back guarantee
Things to Consider:
- Initial sharpening of very dull knives can take a few minutes; quick once the angle is set
Most sharpeners get one thing right. This one got all of the important things. Fast results, real diamond grit, locked angles, and a build that lasts.
Not the most famous. Just the one we kept reaching for every week.
What We Noticed in Testing
1. Fast Results On Day One
A dull paring knife was back to slicing tomato skin after about five rolls per side. Faster than any whetstone we've used.
2. Magnetic Block Locks The Angle
The magnetic block grips the blade so the edge meets the disc at the same angle every roll. No guesswork, no wandering bevel.
3. Diamond Grit Bites Hard Steel
The D35 diamond discs cut through high carbon Japanese steel and tough Western blades alike. No glazing or skating after weeks of use.
4. Hardwood Roller Feels Right
The solid wood cylinder has real weight. It tracks smoothly along the magnetic block with none of the wobble we got from plastic copies.
5. Easy For First Timers
A friend who had never sharpened a knife restored a working edge on her chef's knife within ten minutes of opening the box. No technique required.
Where It Excelled In Use
- Restored a dull paring knife to tomato-slicing sharp in under two minutes
- Held the angle perfectly across chef knives, paring knives, and santokus
- Two angle slots cover both Japanese (15°) and Western (20°) blades
- Diamond discs showed no measurable wear after 60 days of use
- Magnetic block wipes clean and the roller stays put on the counter
"What immediately impressed me was the speed. A few rolls per side and my chef's knife was paper-slicing again. It outperformed a £200 sharpening service I'd been paying for. That matters when you prep dinner for a family every night."
Chef Sarah M. | Professional Kitchen Consultant
Our Top Pick:
Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener
4.9 / 5.0 | 156K+ Verified Reviews
The highest-rated knife sharpener we've tested, at a fraction of premium prices.
Explore The Novara Sharpener£41.99 (40% off £64.99). Best value in class
HORL®3 Rolling Knife Sharpener
Rated 8.6 / 10.0
Premium German-engineered rolling sharpener handcrafted from solid wood. Dual angles with exchangeable diamond and ceramic discs, and a quick-release disc system that makes swaps painless.
Things we liked:
- Premium aesthetic, handcrafted oak or walnut body
- Versatile across most knife types and steels
- Produces a clean, near-mirror professional edge
- Built to last, with exchangeable discs for lifetime use
Where it falls short:
- Higher price point at $179, more than four times the Novara
- Takes a few sessions to learn the rolling technique well
- Limited to two angles; HORL's Pro model adds more flexibility
Siraat's Kitchen Rolling Sharpener
Rated 5.8 / 10.0
Affordable rolling sharpener with diamond and ceramic stages. The fixed-angle design is built for beginners, which is helpful at first and limiting later. Strong sale price, but the regular price gets close to far more polished options.
Things we liked:
- Foolproof fixed angle, hard to mess up on day one
- Two stages in one tool, diamond plus ceramic
Where it falls short:
- Only works on straight-edge knives, skip the serrations
- Needs rinsing after each use to clear metal residue
- Slower than the Novara on very dull blades
- Single fixed angle, no choice for Japanese vs Western
- Less polished finish than premium options like HORL
Why the Novara Diamond Sharpener Came Out On Top
After side-by-side testing of the top three rolling knife sharpeners, Novara didn't just check more boxes, it solved more real problems.
 NOVARA |  HORL |  SIRAAT'S KITCHEN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpening Speed | |||
| Diamond Grit Quality | |||
| Two Sharpening Angles | |||
| Build Quality (Wood) | |||
| Beginner-Friendly | |||
| Magnetic Block Included | |||
| Works on Hard Japanese Steel | |||
| Lifetime Warranty | |||
| Customer Reviews (10k+) | |||
| Best Value |
Trusted by People Who Actually Cook
The best feedback came from chefs who put their knives through real mileage, not influencer endorsements.
"I've tried every rolling sharpener on the market. The Novara is the first one I trust with my Japanese chef's knife. Brings the edge back in under two minutes, no caveats."
Jamie L.
Professional Chef
"Meal prep is faster and safer with sharp knives. The Novara keeps my whole knife block ready to go, so I never end up sawing through vegetables with a dull blade."
Dr. Lisa K.
Clinical Nutritionist
"Replaced my old sharpener setup with the Novara. Faster, easier, and the edge actually lasts. Only regret is not switching sooner."
Marcus T.
Home Chef & Food Blogger
The Novara Sharpener by the Numbers
satisfied customers and counting worldwide
money back guarantee on every order
orders sold to home cooks and chefs
Key Questions We Asked (and Answered)
Our Final Take: We Recommend The Novara Sharpener Without Hesitation
After hands-on testing, side-by-side comparisons against the HORL®3 and the Siraat's Kitchen sharpener, and feedback from professional chefs, the verdict is clear. The Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener isn't just another sharpener. It's the one we kept reaching for week after week.
4.9 / 5.0 | 156K+ Verified Reviews
Novara Diamond Rolling Sharpener Set
The highest-rated knife sharpener we've tested.
Explore The Novara Sharpener