Viral Rolling Knife Sharpeners Are Making Waves Online (& Do They Really Work?)

There are several methods that claim to be the best way to sharpen a knife. You can sharpen your dull kitchen knives with aluminum foil in a pinch, but generally speaking, a whetstone has long been considered the tool you need for ultra sharp blades. The challenge with whetstones is that there is something of a learning curve when you first start using them.

Rolling knife sharpeners have been something of a viral sensation recently and promise to make knife sharpening easy. They all work on pretty much the same principle: a magnetic block holds the knife at the correct angle, and a rolling drum with a diamond-encrusted sharpening disc is run along the edge of the blade. Some also have a metal honing disc on the other end. If they are as quick and easy as claimed, it could revolutionize sharpening for many cooks. We've been checking out some of the online videos and researching buyer feedback to find out if they work, how they compare with traditional methods of sharpening knives, and how the costs stack up.

Over on YouTube, creator Unqualified Cooking put one of the more affordable rolling knife sharpeners, the Bulofe Knife Sharpener Tool, to the test. In a few minutes he sharpened a kitchen knife enough that it would cut paper. He then spent the same amount of time with a whetstone and thought the knife was sharper. However, he clearly knew what he was doing with the whetstone, so perhaps it's not a fair comparison.

Andrew, the founder of Prudent Reviews, took a more scientific approach in his YouTube review, using a professional sharpness measuring scale to compare three different rolling knife sharpeners head-to-head. Each achieved a level he describes as "razor sharp," something that might otherwise require a whetstone plus the honing rod often used by chefs. That said, each blade was given 300 strokes. Easier than a whetstone perhaps, but not necessarily any faster.

Buyer feedback is largely positive, with many Amazon reviewers commenting on the ease of use of their rolling sharpener. The Original Tumbler Rolling Knife Sharpener is perhaps the most popular model on Amazon, judging by the number of ratings. Not everyone was happy with their rolling sharpener picks, though. A few complained that the Bulofe didn't last, and some said the Tumbler wasn't worth the comparatively large investment. It's also worth pointing out that because the holding blocks are magnetic, they can't be used for sharpening dull ceramic knives.

The better rolling knife sharpeners can definitely do a good job. Some people don't get on with them, but that's true of any knife sharpening method. The other important part of the equation for many will be the cost. Whetstones start at around $10. For $43.99, you can get a Knifeplanet Premium Knife Sharpening Stone Set that includes an invaluable angle guide for kitchen knives. The same stone could also be used for sharpening chisels, axes, penknives, and even mower blades. The Bulofe Knife Sharpener Tool costs $45.99 at Amazon, which is competitive. The Original Tumbler Rolling Knife Sharpener is $129.00 at Amazon, which is more than many electric sharpening stones, and those are virtually effortless.

So, do rolling knife sharpeners live up to the hype? As with many viral trends, the answer isn't entirely straightforward. The magnetic blocks are a clever way to ensure the blade is sharpened at the correct angle. The rolling sharpener is easy to use, and those that have a honing section are capable of producing a truly razor sharp edge. The process is easier than using a whetstone, but may not be any quicker, and a whetstone is far more versatile once you get the hang of it. Whether the best rolling knife sharpeners are worth the investment is something you'll have to gauge based on your specific situation and experience level.