January 6, 2020

5 Of The Very Best Knife Grinder for Beginners

Are you looking for the best knife grinder for beginners? Mankind has been making knives for as long as time. It goes back to prehistoric times. A good knife could make a difference in those days, determining if you ate or survived another day. A knife was used for hunting and protection as well. This meant people had to find ways to refine their knife-making skills. Today, knives may not play the same pivotal role as back then. They are still a necessary tool. Knifemaking is now quite a popular hobby more and more people are taking up. 

You will need a good knife grinder, whether a beginner or an expert. In times past, people would sharpen their knives on a rough surface that would produce friction, such as a stone. A grinder is a specially made device that keeps your knives sharp. Getting the right knife grinder for all your knives would be best. We look at the top picks on the market and explore what you need to be on the lookout for.

ImageName & Key FeaturesLink
Work Sharp WSSAKO81112 Blade Grinder Attachment


It is easy to control and use.
The sharpening is very precise.
Can be used in a household or workshop.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener

It is a very robust tool.
It is easy to use, thus user-friendly.
It comes with a replaceable belt.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
WEN BG9910 10-Inch Variable-Torque Water Cooled Wet and Dry Sharpening System

It is easy to use.
The water cooling system is a godsend.
It performs its tasks quite quickly.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder

It is a very cheap grinder.
It is very easy to use.
You have the option of purchasing it with a work light.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
DEWALT Bench Grinder, 6-Inch (DW756)

The tool is evidently well-made.
It is lightweight.
It is very easy to set up and use.
CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Our Top Pick for  

Do you need a quick guide to buying the best knife grinder for beginners? There are a few things you will need to take into consideration. Firstly, be honest about your skill level and look for a grinder that matches said skill set. It would also be prudent to get a grinder with which you can transcend from one skill level to another. Both beginners and experts can use some grinders. Also, find out what sort of knives you can use on it. Check on the ease of operating. Also, check on the level of precision of the grinder and how sharp you can get your knives when using it. 

Our Winner!

We have done our research and found the top picks on the market today.  Our favorite of the pack is the WEN BG9910 10-Inch Variable-Torque Water Cooled Wet and Dry Sharpening System. It has a 10-inch 220 grit sharpening stone and a 9-inch variable-torque leather-stropping wheel.

WEN BG9910

The 120 RPM motor provides maximum precision during sharpening. This grinder also has a water-cooling reservoir that prevents knives, chisels, hand tools, and axes from overheating. The 12mm universal jig support allows compatibility with a wide variety of sharpening accessories, such as the WEN 4-Piece Sharpening Kit (model 42704A).

Work Sharp WSSAKO81112 Blade Grinder Attachment 

What you are after is a steadily built and durable device that will keep your life looking as good as the day you bought it. Then this may be the one for you. According to the manufacturers, this has been made from some of the highest-quality materials. You’ll be happy to know that this device can easily be attached to working surfaces so you can get started using it without delay. This device can be used in the workshop and on household knives. As you probably surmise from the fact that it can be the use of household knives, this is easy to operate device.

According to the manufacturer, this device bridges the gap between professional knife grinders and ones you can use in households. In their own words, they describe it as being a near-professional tool. When you finally get it working, you not that it will take you no time to get your blades as sharp as the day you first use them. The weight of the two is quite identical to what you would expect from the professional tools. It reduces the general hassle that is usually attached to these tasks. You also have an enhanced level of precision. This allows you to get the best results safely and with ease. 

Pros 

  • It is easy to control and use.
  • The sharpening is very precise.
  • You can use it in a household or workshop.
  • The center distance is adjustable.
  • You can also adjust the angle.
  • It is near a professional tool.

Cons 

  • The belt tends to twist.
  • The belt is not nearly as durable as we would like.

Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener

Did someone say versatility? If that’s what you’re looking for in your tool, this is for you. It is marketed as a tool capable of delivering the quality that she would expect from professionals. One of the things that she will notice immediately when using it is how easy it is to use. Once you get the hang of things, you also realize how quickly you can get the best results from this tool. The process is slightly repeatable, which means that you could use this as a beginner and for the most seasoned users.

You will also like that it comes with a replaceable abrasive grip belt. Instead of buying a new one, you can replace the belt. This means that you would be able to save money when it wears out. You also find that the abrasive belts are excellent for ensuring that the blade you sharpen is not worn out during the sharpening process.

This is an exact tool. This is likely due to the sharpening guides that it comes with. You can use it for both professional tools as well as kitchen blades. With the black tall in your hand, you will notice that it is robust and well-made. It comes with a one-year warranty that covers North America. I’m not sure if this is available for other world regions.

Pros

  • It is a very robust tool.
  • It is easy to use and thus user-friendly.
  • It comes with a replaceable belt.
  • There is a one-year warranty cover.
  • The edge is high quality.
  • Produces professional results each time.

Cons 

  • It is not ideal for short blades.
  • The best results take some getting used to.

WEN BG9910 10-Inch Variable-Torque Water Cooled Wet and Dry Sharpening System

Wen is a brand that we have known and trusted over the years. This is why we got into this product with confidence. You get a 10-inch grit sharpening stone and a 9-inch variable torque leather strapping wheel with this sharpening system. This one is unique because it comes with a water cooling reservoir.

If you haven’t figured it out already, this reservoir ensures that overheating does not occur while you are shopping for your tools. For safety, you may need a few minutes to understand everything. Once you’ve had that time, you will fly off the blocks each time. All in all, it is simple looking just simple to use.

The results that you get are akin to what you would get if you were to take your tools to be sharpened by professional. Not to get your hopes up, but to get professional results, you must be experienced in using it all.

The performance is excellent. The one criticism I would level it with is that the metal part of things where the tool will come together is the sharpening wheel, and where the reservoir is located feels a bit flimsy. This is not to say that the quality has disappointed, but we would’ve expected better from a visual perspective.

Pros

  • It is easy to use.
  • The water cooling system is a godsend.
  • It performs its tasks relatively quickly.
  • It is very cheap in comparison to similar products.
  • You can use parts from the tormek.
  • It is beginner-friendly.

Cons 

  • It looks flimsy.
  • The motor is not as good as the former one.

WEN 4276 2.1-Amp 6-Inch Bench Grinder

We decided to go with the same brand again on this occasion. We went with a bench grinder with a 2.1 amp motor in this case. The design is quite simple, as far as one can tell. The one thing we found to be quite lovely in this case was that it comes with flexible work late. This is not the norm, in case you’re wondering.

Going away from these proverbial bells and whistles, this is a bench grinder to perform quite well. It is quite a small device compared to others that we looked at. At a weight of just 16lb, you can carry this grinder from one place to another without problems. This makes it perfectly capable of being used at various workstations in the working environment.

What is that using it you will also notice that it is fairly easy to use. The area you used to sharpen is about 6 inches wide, with plenty of room for most tools and blades you may want to sharpen. There are obvious limitations that come with this.

There is no way around this where you need more room for a larger blade. Having said that, you also have the option to buy this tool with or without the lights. The option of not doing the light is slightly cheaper. It will be up to you to decide whether it’s worth paying the extra for the light or getting without one.

Pros 

  • It is a very cheap grinder.
  • It is straightforward to use.
  • You have the option of purchasing it with a work light.
  • It is a lightweight, portable device.
  • It starts up fairly quickly.
  • Comes with protective guards.
  • The tool rest is adjustable.

Cons 

  • The work light costs extra.
  • The sharpening area is too thin for some tools.

DEWALT Bench Grinder, 6-Inch (DW756) 

We went back to an old and trusted brand for our final pick. This is a grinder that is quite similar to the one that we’ve just looked at. It has the same 6-inch sharpening area. Don’t think you will find it quite similar to the two because it is easy to use.

At 5/8 HP, the motor is quite heavy-duty. It is capable of performing some of the most challenging sharpening jobs. The base is made of an industrial variety of cast iron, as is the motor housing. As with the other brand, this one is manufactured in the same region. This guarantee is that you will have this tool for a prolonged period.

It is made out of aluminum. The speed of the motor is 3450 rpm. You will not have many tasks requiring high speeds, which this one cannot provide. It allows you to position your work as you want to be sharpened without losing much time on this task.

At the rear end of this device are some exhaust ports. They keep it cooled down when things heat up. This allows you also to produce more precise results. As far as shape and design, there are very few things I would tell this to apart from the one we previously mentioned by Wen. The one thing that is worth noting is this one looks and feels more robust.

Pros 

  • The tool is well-made.
  • It is lightweight.
  • It is straightforward to set up and use.
  • The motor is very fast.
  • It produces top-quality results.

Cons 

  • Wobbles when not bolted to a surface.
  • The sharpening surface is small.

Buyer’s Guide

What are the different types of knife grinds?

For most people, the knife consists of a blade and a handle. However, to get the most out of your knife, you must know all the intricate details and how they influence your use. 

The grind is one of the most underestimated parts of the knife. It refers to the shape of the blade’s cross-section or how it is thinned to reveal the cutting edge. The type of grind you have can influence the entire dynamic of the blade. Knowing the edges of your knife can also help a lot. There are several different types of knife grinds: hollow grind, flat grind, high flat grind, v-grind grind, chisel grind, convex grind, compound grind, and asymmetrical grind.

The type of grind on a knife is different from the blade profile. 

What is a concave edge?

When an edge is considered concave, the interior angle between the triangles connected by the edge will be greater than 180 degrees. 

What is a back bevel on a knife?

A back bevel keeps the blade section behind the edge thinner, improving cutting quality. You can get a knife with a single bevel or a double bevel. 

This is the bevel. A knife bevel refers to a surface that has been ground to form the knife’s edge. A close inspection of a knife will show a slight angle on either side or side that runs down to the edge. If there is one on both sides, it is a double bevel knife. If there is one on only one side, it is a single bevel knife. You can grind the bevel to a variety of different angles. Generally, the smaller the angle, the sharper the knife.

Why are Japanese knives sharpened on one side?

Japanese knives are unique in their construction in that they are often single ground which means they are sharpened only from one end. Only one side of Japanese knives holds the cutting edge. Other knives must be sharpened from both ends because they are angled from both sides. 

Can you ruin a knife by sharpening it?

There is a common myth that if you sharpen a knife a little too often, you can run it. Knives are made of metal, most of them at least. It is almost impossible to ruin a metal knife by simply sharpening it. You can not wear away a knife to the extent that it is rendered useless by simply sharpening it. 

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best knife for a beginner, you will realize that it is not as simple as looking for something that cuts. Consider where you want to use the knife and what you want to use it for. This determines the type of knife you “hunt” for. Knives have different features that make them useful and also the perfect pick. Take care of your knives and use them appropriately if you want them to serve you well.

The best knife grinders can help you keep your knives in top form. As a beginner, you want to ensure you get one that you can use, which will also grow with you as your skill level increases. We have gone through the top knife grinders for beginners with a fine-tooth comb. We reviewed what is so great and not so great about the different models. We hope this helps you make your choice. Happy shopping!

David D. Hughes

Leave a Reply