Presto 08810 review: Great electric knife sharpener
If you’re finding that it’s hard to get a good feel for what the top knife sharpeners are, and why they’re so coveted, you’re not alone. In this short article, we’re going to review the Presto 08810 electric knife sharper, which is an upgrade from the popular Presto 08800.
We’ll go over the pros and cons of both sharpeners, explain features, and present you with detailed information to let you know whether buying the 08810 is worth the cost.
Below, please use our interactive table to see how the Presto 08810 stacks up against its predecessor (the 08800), as well as other worthy electric sharpeners that are on the market today.
| Photo | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Chef's Choice 250 Diamond | $$ |
 | Presto 08800 EverSharp | $ |
 | Chef's Choice 15 Trizor XV | $$$ |
 | Edge Pro Apex | $$$ |
 | Presto 08810 | $$ |
 | Chef’s Choice 130 | $$$ |
Presto 08810 review: Features and specs
The Presto 08810 is a three-stage electric sharpening system made by Presto. This model is a step up from the model 08800, which only has two stages. The three stages of the 08810 unit are course, fine, and very fine.
Some key features of this electric knife sharpener are:
Fast and efficient use. 3-5 times per stage is generally good enough except for very dull knives that may require more time on the “coarse” or stage-1 setting.
Interchangeable blade guides allow a variety of angles to be imparted to the blade.
At 12 x 5 x 4 inches and weighing in at 5.1 lbs., this unit is easy to put away after use, if desired.
Unit is metallic-silver and black, which fits in well with any modern kitchen décor, especially stainless steel decors. It also doesn’t look out of place in a more traditional kitchen setting.
Very competitively priced at between $40-$50.
Good for home kitchen blades, but not useful for hunting or fillet knives, or Japanese style blades.
Below, please take a moment to view some of the best-selling knife sharpeners currently for sale on Amazon:
| BEST SELLERS |
|---|
1) Presto 08800 |
2) Chef’s Choice 4643 |
3) Chef's Choice 320 |
4) Presto 08810 |
5) Chef's Choice 250 |
The Good Stuff
There is a lot to like about the Presto 08810 model knife sharpener. With three stages, a sharper edge can be achieved than with the 08800.
This little sharpener will quickly and easily sharpen most normal kitchen knives. The unit is relatively quiet compared to older model electric sharpeners that can get quite loud, and even a novice with no skill or knowledge of how to sharpen a blade can achieve respectable results.
It is also a great time saver, even for those who know how to use a stone or steel, and can be used to maintain low to mid-level cutlery.
The Not So Good Stuff
There are a few issues with this unit as well though, mostly involving high-end cutlery or specialty blades. This sharpener really struggles with thick blades and can even harm them through over-grinding.
This isn’t a problem with most knives normally found in the home kitchen, but high end cutlery should not be used with this machine. Also, despite claims to the contrary, this sharpener is not a good choice for Japanese style blades or fishing knives, due to the higher bevel angle this sharpener imparts on blades.
Japanese style blades and fillet knives have a bevel of about 15 degrees, which this unit is unable to achieve. The other issue with this, and indeed all electric sharpeners, is the use of smaller blades like small paring knives. It simply isn’t designed to be used with these types of blades, and attempting to sharpen these types of knives will not result in satisfactory results.
Questions and Answers
In this section, we are going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions pertaining to the Presto 08810, which should hopefully help you make a better purchasing decision.
Does this sharpener sharpen serrated blades? Answer: Yes, it will. With that said, if you sharpen your serrated blade a lot with this sharpener, over time it may wear out the serration, causing it to look more like a straight edge blade.
Does this sharpener support 220v? Answer: No, only 110 volts.
Will the 08810 sharpen scissors? Answer: This sharpener was made to sharpen knives, and because of that fact, it is not at all recommended to sharpen scissors.
Is this Presto sharpener made in America? Answer: No. Like any appliances sold in the USA, the 08810 is made in China.
Can you get replacement sharpening stones for this product? Answer: No, and opening up the sharpener to try and replace anything will of course void the warranty. If you need any kind of serious maintenance done on this product, it would be smart to contact Presto.
How does the 08810 compare to the 08800? Answer: Aside from the fact that the 08810 is a three stage sharpener compared to the two stage of the 08800, the 08810 has an adjustment for the thickness of the blade you are using (such as wide, medium, and thin). This allows better positioning of the blade inside the wheel of the sharpener. The 08800, as effective as it can be, does not have this feature.
Will this sharpen ceramic blades? Answer: The manual states that it will sharpen alloy, carbon, or stainless steel. It doesn’t mention ceramic knives, and because of this fact, it’s not recommended that you attempt to sharpen ceramic knives with this sharpener.
Can you sharpen Santoku knives with the 08810? Answer: Some users have suggested that they have successfully sharpened Santoku knives with this Presto sharpener. With that said, this is not something that Presto’s manual states implicitly whatsoever.
The Presto 08810 vs the Competition
The Presto 08810 compares favorably with other units in its class. It is a great value compared to high-end and high-priced industrial grade sharpeners, and does a great job of sharpening knives intended for home use.
This Presto knife sharpener is a great value for its price. While it may not put a ‘factory-sharp’ edge on all blades, it is more than sufficient for home kitchen use.
Presto 08810 vs. Presto 08800
Compared to the Presto 08800, this unit is a definite improvement. It features adjustable guides, and a third “very fine” stage to really put a sharp edge on a knife.
It is also better able to handle larger knives, and the motors don’t bog down as easily as they do in the 08800. It retains the sleek, modern look of the 08800 while adding more capabilities.
While the Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV may put a sharper edge on the blade, it achieves this at significant expense in knife longevity by grinding away a lot of metal. In comparison, the 08810 is much less abrasive than the 15 Trizor XV, and while the knife may not have the “razor’s edge” of the XV, the blades will last longer.
Also, it is a fraction of the price of the Trizor XV, and is good enough for most home use.
Electric vs Manual Sharpeners?
How does it compare to hand-held manual sharpeners? Well, not surprisingly, the electric sharpener is faster once the technique is mastered, and much faster than traditional stones or steel. It makes sharpening many knives a lot less time consuming, saving the consumer a lot of time and frustration. It is also much easier to use than traditional stone or steel methods, allowing anyone to sharpen blades easily and safely.
It also does a better job than more modern ceramic or steel hand-held sharpeners. It is faster, more reliable, and lasts longer than these less expensive, non-motorized units. The primary advantage of these units and techniques is that they don’t require a power source, which is useful in situations where the user has no access to power.
Conclusion
The 08810 is a good sharpener for the money. It is sturdy, reliable, and does a great job at everyday kitchen tasks, which is what it was designed for.
Granted, it is not well-suited for sharpening some fillet or hunting knives, or for high-end cutlery. But if you are looking for an affordable, easy to use and dependable unit for the home kitchen, this is a great product.
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