There’s no doubt that this is an expensive machine, but it’s worth the extra spend. Consumer reviewers report that it will sharpen blunt knives in less than five minutes; you have to listen for the change in tone to know the process is complete. Waterstones come with different grit counts, indicating the level of coarseness. Around 1,000 grits (measured by number of grits per unit) is ideal for sharpening a knife blade. You can then use a finer stone – 6,000 grit, say – to get a nice polished finished, though this isn't strictly necessary. I have a set of Global knives which in my mind is one of the most important piece of equipment you can have in the kitchen. Over a period of several uses, I have noticed my knives becoming blunt. I normally grab a piece of paper and run it along the blades. If it doesn't cut through the paper without additional force, in my opinion the knives will need sharpening. You don't really need to apply any force when sharpening. However if you do, take care as the wheels does feel like it can't withstand too much force so take care when using the unit.

The Minosharp Plus 3 has 3 sets of sharpeners - fine, medium and coarse. The ceramic wheels are larger and longer lasting, than the wheels on the original minosharp. A good knife sharpener will bring out the best in your knives and help you create delicious meals for your family effortlessly. It should be sturdy, offer excellent value for money and create a razor-sharp edge in moments. Why, then, do so many of us shy away from the task? To put it bluntly, it's because it's a rather daunting process for the beginner. Your image of knife sharpening may consist of a hyper-masculine chef slashing away violently at a steel rod ( we're looking at you, Gordon). Conversely, you might have seen cooks meticulously and methodically stroking their blade up and down a Japanese waterstone with more intricate attention to detail than a Flemish landscape painting.Whetstones are the best knife sharpening system for people who love traditional craftsmanship and have the patience to learn new skills. The KEENBEST Sharpening Stone Set is an excellent option for those new to whetstones. It would also make a fantastic gift for foodies. Ceramic knives are crafted from zirconium oxide, which makes them lighter, sharper and more durable than their stainless steel counterparts. In addition, they don’t soak up food smells and won’t rust. As for sharpening, a whetstone is the best way. It only needs to be done once or twice a year.” (Type of sharpening method suggested by toastofthetown) Our verdict

Mumsnet users love cooking for their families and friends and have lots of opinions on the best tools for the job. So, the first stop on our journey to find the best knife sharpeners was the Mumsnet user forums.

Sharpening is needed when the blade is blunt. You grind the blade against a coarse surface to remove some of the edge; this makes it sharp again. Sharpening can be done using a rough stone, wheel or plates. How often should you sharpen your knives? This great value set includes a sharpening stone, a polishing stone, a sturdy bamboo stand, an angle guide and a leather strop — basically, everything you need to learn this ancient process. Reviewers report that using these stones is complicated but deeply satisfying. Answer: I would not use this to sharpen the following knives: ceramic, serrated and single sided blades (like sushi blades). I would also refrain from using this to work on any tools (scissors and shears). If ease of use is your primary consideration, one of these hand held sharpeners is the perfect sharpening tool for you. There are three different models, the MinoSharp, the MinoSharp Plus and the MinoSharp 3. All models can only be used for knives that are equally sharpened on both sides. They cannot be used for serrated knives or knives sharpened on one side like the Bunmei knives. All of the MinoSharps use ceramic wheels for sharpening.