Is the Tormek T-1 Knife Sharpener Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2025). How we score
Save $343Depends. Chef'sChoice 315XV for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 30, 2:51 AM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen named the Tormek its winner for adjustable-angle sharpening: it "put an impressively sharp edge on our dull knives without requiring too much effort or time," and you can set the guide anywhere from 8 to 22 degrees. The drawbacks: metal shavings from the honing wheel scattered on the counter, it slightly scratched the blade, and "This sharpener was hopeless at repairing damage to the chip we cut into the blade." ATK's Best Buy for 15-degree knives, the Chef'sChoice 315XV, matched its performance score and rated higher for ease of use and neatness, for a fraction of the price. Splurge if you sharpen knives with many different edge angles; save if your knives have 15-degree edges.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Tormek T-1
315XV Electric Knife Sharpener
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy for 15-degree knives, with the same full marks for performance as the Tormek and higher scores for ease of use and neatness. "We noticed only a minor difference in cutting performances between the knife we sharpened in this model and the knife we sharpened in our winning model," the Trizor 15XV. Its angle is fixed at 15 degrees, and "the spring-loaded guides left light cosmetic scratches along the side of our blades." "This machine can also sharpen single-beveled Japanese blades and serrated knives." ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Tormek T-1 | Chef'sChoice 315XV |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Neatness | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Damage | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Knife Sharpeners (updated June 24, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Knife Sharpeners (updated June 24, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Is the Tormek T-1 worth it?
Only if you need to sharpen at many different angles: America's Test Kitchen named it the best adjustable-angle sharpener. For 15-degree kitchen knives, ATK's Best Buy, the Chef'sChoice 315XV, scored as well for performance and was easier and neater to use, for a fraction of the price.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Electric Knife Sharpeners (updated June 24, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
