HORL 2 Knife Sharpeners

Say Goodbye to Whetstone Woes with HORL Knife Sharpeners

If you’ve ever struggled with a whetstone, you know the pain: figuring out the right angle, plus that dreaded 15-minute soak. Luckily, HORL knife sharpeners make life so much easier. They take all the guesswork out of getting the perfect angle and cut your sharpening time down to a fraction. Whether you’re working with Western or Japanese knives, you’ll be amazed at how sharp they get, and in so little time! Plus, HORL sharpeners are super gentle, helping your blades last longer.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of knife sharpening, walk you through using the HORL 2 sharpener, show off some cool HORL accessories, and explain why no other rolling sharpener really compares.

Sharpening vs. Honing: What’s the Difference?

Let’s start with a quick lesson on knife sharpening. The term can be a bit misleading since sharpening actually involves two steps: sharpening and honing. You can hone your knife without sharpening it (a trick many chefs use for daily upkeep), but you can’t skip honing after sharpening.

Here’s why: Think of your knife’s edge as a row of tiny teeth. Over time, those teeth get dull and crooked. Sharpening, unsurprisingly, sharpens the teeth, while honing straightens them back into a neat line. If you skip honing, your knife won’t cut as smoothly because those little teeth will be all over the place.

On the HORL 2 sharpener, you’ll see two discs on either side of the roller: a coarse one for sharpening and a finer one for honing.

How to Know When Your Knife Needs Sharpening

Not sure if your knife needs sharpening or just a quick hone? Try the tomato test. Slice a tomato and see what happens:

• Effortless, clean slice? Your blade is sharp!
• A bit of resistance and just a little juice? A quick hone should do the trick.
• Squished and messy? Time to sharpen and hone.

How to Use the HORL 2 Knife Sharpener

Using the HORL 2 sharpener is super simple. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Set the Angle: On a flat surface, attach your knife to the magnetic angle support. (Use the 15° side for Japanese knives or the 20° side for Western knives. The HORL 2 Cruise only has a 20° option.)
2. Sharpen: Hold down the angle support with one hand and use the coarse disc on the roller to sharpen the blade. Remember to count your strokes—you’ll need to match them when you do the other side.
3. Flip and Repeat: Sharpen the other side of your blade using the same number of strokes.
4. Hone: Switch to the finer disc and repeat the process on both sides, using the same number of strokes. You can skip the sharpening step if your knife just needs a quick touch-up.

HORL 2 vs. Whetstone: Which One’s Right for You?

Whetstones are a classic choice and really effective. You can retain the original angle of your blade, unlike the HORL 2, which standardizes it to 15° or 20°. But whetstones do have their downsides. They need a 15-minute soak before use and require a lot of practice to get the angle just right. This leaves plenty of room for mistakes, like uneven sharpening and ending up with a knife less sharp than when you started!

The HORL 2, on the other hand, skips the soak time and sets the angle for you with its magnetic angle support—making it nearly foolproof. Plus, it’s easy to store. While you’d need multiple whetstones for different grit levels, the HORL 2 just needs interchangeable discs.

Our take? If you’re a purist who loves tradition and doesn’t mind the effort and practice, stick with a whetstone. But if you want a quicker, more efficient method that’s still gentle on your knives, the HORL 2 (or the upgraded HORL 2 Pro) is the way to go.

Introducing Your Knife to the HORL 2

The first time you use the HORL 2 sharpener on a knife, it’s a good idea to “teach” your knife the new angles. This simple marker test takes less than 10 minutes and helps you get the best results right away:

1. Mark the Blade: Colour the very edge of the blade with a marker pen, on both sides.
2. Sharpen: Use the coarse disc to sharpen one side until the marker is gone, keeping track of the number of strokes.
3. Repeat: Do the same for the other side, ensuring all the marker is gone.
4. Hone: Hone the blade using the same number of strokes you used for sharpening. No need to mark the blade for honing.

Do this test every time you introduce a new knife to the HORL 2 sharpener.

HORL Accessories: Taking It to the Next Level

HORL offers a range of accessories that make sharpening even easier. They’ve got clever storage solutions and higher-grit stones that you can swap in for the standard ones on the HORL 2. If you’re looking to achieve that super-refined edge you’d find in a Michelin-star kitchen, these are a must.

Our top pick? The HORL Premium Sharpening Set. It comes with two higher-grit discs (#3000 and #6000) that easily replace the standard ones. Plus, it includes a leather strop for that final polish, leaving your blade gleaming like new.

HORL vs. Other Rolling Knife Sharpeners

Rolling knife sharpeners are nothing new—Otmar Horl invented them back in 1993, and his son Timo has been refining the design since 2016. While you might see similar (cheaper) products out there, HORL stands out in a few key ways:

• Stronger Magnets: HORL’s magnets are more powerful than those in knockoff versions, making them more reliable.
• Larger Angle Support: This gives you more control when sharpening.
• Interchangeable Discs: Unlike many competitors, HORL offers a variety of discs to personalise your sharpening experience.

All HORL products are made in Germany’s Black Forest, using top-notch materials sourced from trusted local partners. It’s all about quality and craftsmanship.

How Long Do They Last?

Your HORL 2 sharpener and angle supports are built to last a lifetime. The diamond disc is practically indestructible, while the honing stones typically last 3-6 years, depending on the grit.

In short.

The HORL 2 sharpener combines precision, ease of use, durability, and top-notch craftsmanship.