I have been searching for a year for a knife sharpener to put an edge back on my nice knives. Normally, this is an easy process - break out the phone book, locate the knife guy in town (or scissor lady who can do just as good a job), give him a buzz and drop off the knife. A couple of days later and viola', a knife that doesn't squash tomatoes or slide off the onion skin. That works - provided you live in a town that has a knife sharpener. I don't. I've asked. Nobody sharpens knives here any more. They appear to be a dying breed as Walmart or Target churn out ever more cheap knives, the kind that loose their edge faster than a politician breaks a promise, destined for the back of the knife drawer.

Likewise the scissor lady. Really, how many people still sew?

So I tried using a stone. If you ever wanted to know how to sharpen knives on a stone, watch the video of Chef Eric Crowley. It's not nearly as easy as he makes it look and it turns out that I have no talent for the task. I was satisfied to quit with 9 fingers intact.

The AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener

On my next attempt, I hit the jackpot. The AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener (Pictured below) turns out to be a very nice little tool that does a nice job of sharpening. I have used it on four different knives in the kitchen and the results have been excellent. The blades regained a nice edge and seems to be holding it.

Important to me, since everything that I review is intended for an older audience, was the safety factor built into the design of this knife sharpener. To sharpen a knife, you hold the knife in your off hand - in my case, the left - with the blade up. Simply run the knife sharpener over the blade applying a bit of pressure. If you listen, you can hear the difference in the blade as the edge comes back. It makes a hissing sound rather than grating.

Also, the knife sharpener has a plastic handle that protects your hand from the blade even if you should slip while using it. That little extra degree of safety is nice to have.

If this helps solve your knife sharpener needs, please use the Amazon link below. I get a couple of pennies for each person that buys from the link and my family will thank you for the help.