Countertop Knife Sharpener – crossed sharpening rods, wide stable base

Draw the blade through a few times and tomatoes slice cleanly again.

A blunt kitchen knife squashes tomatoes, slips on onion skins and makes chopping slower than it needs to be. This sharpener stands on the worktop with a pair of crossed sharpening rods held in a tall V-shaped frame. You simply pull the knife down through the cross from heel to tip, letting the rods set the angle for you, so there is no need to practise with a whetstone. It handles everyday chef's knives as well as bread and serrated knives.

Why this sharpener is quick to use

• Crossed rods: two rods meet in an X to work both sides of the edge in one stroke.
• Fixed angle: the frame guides the blade, so results are consistent without a steady hand.
• Stable base: a wide foot keeps the sharpener upright on the worktop while you pull the knife through.
• Suits most kitchen knives: chef's knives, cleavers, bread knives and serrated blades.
• Small to store: slips into a drawer or stands next to the knife block.