Real owners lean toward the Chef'sChoice Trizor XV Model 15: 94% of 18 owners recommend it, vs 78% of 111 for the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition.
Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score
Owners of both electric sharpeners describe fast, razor-sharp results that revive dull or damaged edges with little skill, and both draw the same core criticism: each removes a fair amount of metal from the blade. Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition owners stress how quickly its belt reaches a shaving edge and how versatile it is across knives, tools and axes, but warn it can eat blade steel, round tips, or overheat and burn edges if run too fast, and has a genuine learning curve. Chef'sChoice Trizor XV owners go further on results, often calling edges sharper than a professional service and the machine nearly foolproof for doing a whole set in minutes, with edges that then stay easier to maintain; their main gripes are the high price and a fixed narrower 15-degree angle that isn't every cook's preference. Users who want to sharpen a wider range of tools beyond kitchen knives, and accept a learning curve, lean Work Sharp; those who want near-foolproof, professional-grade kitchen edges and don't mind the price or the fixed angle lean Chef'sChoice. The choice hinges on versatility and control versus near-foolproof sharpness at a premium.
“I'm really pleased with this! It works like a charm”— @thatguy199212 on YouTube
“I own this knife sharpener. It really is worth the money. An excellent product that is easy to use IF you follow the instructions.”— @chefmike9945 on YouTube
“Never again, though, will I use an electric grinder like the one recommended here.”— @CorneliusSneedley on YouTube
“I have the Ken Onion version. At $140, it's great and a better value than the Mk.2.”— @jonfeuerborn5859 on YouTube
“If you get one of these don’t tell anyone. I made that mistake and now sharpen all the knives for all my coworkers and family.”— @shakeandbaked1 on YouTube
“Of coarse nothing is compatible with the old one.”— @dlrmon1 on YouTube
Owners of both electric sharpeners describe fast, razor-sharp results that revive dull or damaged edges with little skill, and both draw the same core criticism: each removes a fair amount of metal from the blade. Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition owners stress how quickly its belt reaches a shaving edge and how versatile it is across knives, tools and axes, but warn it can eat blade steel, round tips, or overheat and burn edges if run too fast, and has a genuine learning curve. Chef'sChoice Trizor XV owners go further on results, often calling edges sharper than a professional service and the machine nearly foolproof for doing a whole set in minutes, with edges that then stay easier to maintain; their main gripes are the high price and a fixed narrower 15-degree angle that isn't every cook's preference. Users who want to sharpen a wider range of tools beyond kitchen knives, and accept a learning curve, lean Work Sharp; those who want near-foolproof, professional-grade kitchen edges and don't mind the price or the fixed angle lean Chef'sChoice. The choice hinges on versatility and control versus near-foolproof sharpness at a premium.
Owners point the Chef'sChoice Trizor XV Model 15 at home cooks who dislike manual whetstone sharpening, and people wanting fast, near-foolproof results.
Owners point the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition at home cooks wanting razor-sharp kitchen knives fast, and beginners seeking great results with little skill.
The most-cited downside of the Chef'sChoice Trizor XV Model 15 is pricey compared to other sharpeners. For the Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition, it's removes too much steel and can eat blades if you're not careful.