Target Knife Sharpener: What's Available and Whether It's Worth Buying
If you're shopping for a knife sharpener at Target, you have a few options and it helps to know what you're actually looking at before you buy. Target carries pull-through sharpeners, electric sharpeners, and occasionally honing rods depending on the location and current stock. The brands you'll typically find there include Calphalon, KitchenIQ, Wusthof, and a few generic kitchen brands.
The honest answer on whether a Target knife sharpener is worth buying: it depends entirely on what you pick up. Some of the options there are genuinely useful. Others are the kind of pull-through sharpeners that grind metal aggressively, leave a coarse edge, and wear your blade down faster than doing nothing. This guide walks you through the types available and helps you pick one that actually works.
The Types of Knife Sharpeners You'll Find at Target
Pull-Through Sharpeners
These are the most common type at mass market retailers. They have V-shaped slots where you draw the knife through, and carbide, ceramic, or a combination of abrasive elements does the sharpening.
The cheap carbide pull-through sharpeners (typically priced under $20) are the ones to avoid. They work by scraping metal off both sides of the blade at the same time, which gets a knife sharp quickly but removes too much material and leaves an edge that looks sharp under a microscope but is actually rough and inconsistent. That edge dulls fast.
Better pull-through sharpeners use multiple stages: a coarser slot for damaged or very dull edges, and a finer ceramic or diamond slot for finishing. Two-stage or three-stage designs from brands like KitchenIQ and Wusthof work better than single-slot options.
Electric Sharpeners
Target occasionally carries electric knife sharpeners, particularly from Cuisinart and Chef'sChoice. Electric sharpeners use motorized abrasive wheels to grind and finish the edge.
The entry-level Cuisinart electric sharpeners (around $30-$50) are reasonably effective for the price. They're not going to produce the same edge as a properly done whetstone sharpening, but they'll restore a dull knife to functional sharpness in under a minute, which is genuinely useful for cooks who have no interest in manual sharpening technique.
The Chef'sChoice models are better engineered but tend to be priced higher. If Target has one in stock, it's worth considering.
Honing Rods
A honing rod (usually listed as a "sharpening steel" even though it's technically honing) is available at Target in both ceramic and smooth steel versions. These are legitimate tools used correctly as part of a regular maintenance routine.
Unlike pull-through sharpeners, a honing rod doesn't remove meaningful amounts of metal. It realigns the edge of the knife, which is often all that's needed for a knife that's recently been sharpened but has started to feel less sharp with use. If you use a knife daily, a few passes on a honing rod before each use is good practice.
What to Look for at Target Specifically
Target's kitchen knife section varies by store, but a few guidelines for shopping there:
Check the abrasive material. The sharpening element label matters: carbide is the most aggressive and coarsest (removes the most metal), ceramic is fine-grit and works for maintenance, diamond is fine-grit but very efficient. For an in-between tool that you'll use regularly, ceramic is the most forgiving.
Look for multiple stages. A sharpener with only one slot is too limited. Two stages (coarse and fine) minimum. Three stages is even better for versatility.
Check the angle guide. Fixed-angle pull-through sharpeners work at a preset angle, usually 20 degrees. That's appropriate for most Western knives but too wide for Japanese knives (which prefer 15-17 degrees). If you have Japanese knives, a fixed 20-degree sharpener will gradually alter the edge geometry, making the knife less sharp over time.
Avoid carbide-only single slots. These are the red-flag products. They're usually under $10-$15 and they'll degrade your knives with regular use.
The KitchenIQ Option
KitchenIQ's edge grip pull-through sharpener is one of the better budget options you'll find at Target (around $10-$15). It has a non-slip base, a coarse carbide slot and a fine ceramic slot, and it's easy to use without technique. It's not going to replace a proper sharpening session, but for occasional maintenance it's a reasonable purchase for cooks who have no interest in learning whetstone technique.
Should You Buy a Knife Sharpener at Target?
Target is a convenient option, not a specialty retailer. The selection is limited and changes with what's being promoted. You won't find the depth of options that a kitchen specialty shop or online retailer offers.
For a pull-through sharpener for occasional use, Target is fine. Stick to brands you recognize (KitchenIQ, Cuisinart, Wusthof) and choose a multi-stage design.
For anything more serious, buying from a specialty retailer gives you access to better options in the same price range and staff who can actually explain the difference between tools.
The Best Knife Set guide is a good starting point if you're outfitting a kitchen from scratch and want to understand which sharpening tools tend to come bundled with quality knife sets. For sets specifically evaluated on value and performance, the Best Rated Knife Sets roundup covers options worth considering alongside whatever sharpener you choose.
Getting the Most Out of a Pull-Through Sharpener
If you do go with a pull-through from Target, use it correctly:
Use the coarse slot only when necessary. If your knife is just slightly dull, start with the fine slot. The coarse slot removes more metal and should be reserved for edges that are significantly dulled or have nicks.
Light, consistent pressure. Don't bear down. Let the abrasive elements do the work. Consistent light pressure produces a better edge than heavy grinding.
Draw from heel to tip in one smooth motion. Don't stop mid-blade. One smooth pull per side.
Finish with the fine slot. Even if you start with coarse, always finish with the fine stage to polish the edge.
Clean the knife after. Metal filings end up on the blade after sharpening. Wipe the blade with a clean cloth before cutting food.
When a Pull-Through Sharpener Isn't Enough
There are situations where no pull-through sharpener will solve your problem:
- The edge has a visible nick or chip
- The blade has been noticeably thinned from years of aggressive sharpening
- You have a Japanese single-bevel knife (these require specialized technique)
- The knife has never been sharpened and is truly flat
In these cases, a whetstone (or a professional sharpening service) is the appropriate tool. Many kitchen knife shops offer sharpening for $5-$10 per knife, which is worthwhile for valuable knives.
FAQ
Does Target sell good knife sharpeners?
It depends on what you pick up. Multi-stage pull-through sharpeners from known brands like KitchenIQ or Cuisinart are usable for basic maintenance. Single-slot carbide sharpeners are best avoided.
What's the difference between a sharpener and a honing rod?
A sharpener removes metal to create a new edge. A honing rod realigns the existing edge. Both are useful, but for different situations. Most kitchens should have both.
Can I use a Target knife sharpener on Japanese knives?
Most pull-through sharpeners at Target are set to 20 degrees, which is too wide for Japanese knives designed for 15-17 degrees. Using the wrong angle will gradually ruin the edge geometry on a Japanese knife.
Is it better to buy a knife sharpener at Target or online?
Online gives you more options and better price comparison. Target is convenient for immediate purchase and easy returns. For a budget pull-through sharpener, Target is fine.
The Bottom Line
Target is a perfectly reasonable place to pick up a basic knife sharpener for everyday kitchen maintenance. The selection is narrow and changes, but there are usually a few usable multi-stage options in the $10-$30 range. Stick to recognized brands, choose a two-stage or three-stage design, and avoid the cheap single-slot carbide sharpeners that do more harm than good with regular use.
If you cook seriously or have quality knives worth protecting, a specialty retailer or whetstone setup gives you more control and better results than any pull-through sharpener can offer.