The ad makes it look simple. Drag a dull knife through a small wooden gadget a few times and it comes out razor sharp, no skill needed. That is the pitch behind the Matsato knife sharpener, and it is only half true.
The product is real. It uses a fixed angle design. Plenty of buyers do get a sharper edge from it.
The ad leaves out what happens when an order goes wrong. It also skips how a fixed angle tool behaves on knives it was not built for. This page covers both.
What the Matsato knife sharpener actually is
Strip away the ad script. It is a manual pull through tool. Ceramic rods sit in a roasted beech wood body, on a magnetic base meant to hold it still on a counter.
The manufacturer lists it as a “2-in-1” sharpener. It claims to restore a razor edge without water, oil, or setup. The site listed it at $79.97 as of this writing, and ads often show a higher crossed out price we could not confirm.
The angle is fixed. The brand calls it “Matsato blade geometry,” built around its own knives. A fixed angle tool built for one knife shape can grind a different bevel than the knife you actually own.
The manufacturer does not publish that angle in degrees. Buyers are trusting a number they cannot check. That alone is worth some skepticism before any complaint even enters the picture.
What matters more than the ad copy
Three things separate a sharpener worth keeping from one that ends up in a drawer. Does the angle match your knives, and does the abrasive remove enough steel to matter. Does the company stand behind the order if it does not arrive.
A pull through design trades control for speed. That tradeoff is fine on a budget kitchen knife. It is riskier on an expensive one, a distinction worth understanding across every style of sharpener on the market before buying one gadget from an ad.
What owners report about the Matsato knife sharpener
Third party review aggregates for the brand run positive. The score sat around 4.4 out of 5 across more than 18,000 reviews when checked. Those reviews cover the whole brand, knives and bundles included, so they are not a clean read on the sharpener alone.
Roughly seven in ten reviewers leave five stars. The praise repeats the same themes: knives arriving sharp, quick delivery, and easy ordering.
The recurring complaint is not a dull edge. A meaningful share of one star reviews describe incomplete orders. Some describe paid accessories that never shipped, or promo pricing that did not match the final order.
At least one filed complaint describes something worse. A tracking number was issued and the package never arrived. Support reportedly refused both a refund and a replacement, offering only to “check with the warehouse team.”
That single report is not the norm, and it covered a knife order rather than the sharpener itself. The brand’s overall review volume skews heavily positive. But order and refund friction shows up often enough that a buyer should be ready to push for a resolution.
Alternatives worth the money instead
None of these three have the ad budget this product does. All three have a longer track record with home cooks and a simpler, checkable design.
AccuSharp 001C
Best Overall
Two stage pull through | tungsten carbide and ceramic | around $15
The 001C has been a kitchen drawer staple for years. The manufacturer lists a simple two stage carbide and ceramic setup, with no angle guesswork involved. Owner reviews repeatedly mention how little learning curve it takes.
It will not match a guided stone system on a fine chef knife. Skip it if you want a truly polished edge rather than a working one.
Pros
- Very low price
- Simple two stage design
- Long track record with home cooks
Cons
- Removes more steel than a guided rod system
- Not built for delicate edges
Sharpal 101N 6-in-1
Best Multi Stage
Three stage pull through plus rod and serrated notch | around $20
The 101N adds a coarse carbide stage, a fine ceramic stage, and a diamond rod for touch ups. It also has a notch for serrated blades. Owners tend to say the extra stages actually get used.
It is bulkier than a single stage tool. Skip it if you only own a knife or two and do not need the extra parts.
Pros
- Handles serrated blades too
- Coarse and fine stages cover more range
- Diamond rod works for touch ups
Cons
- Bulkier to store
- Easy to overuse the fine stage
KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip
Best Compact
Single stage pull through | suction base | around $10
The 50009 is a small single stage sharpener. A suction base grips the counter instead of relying on hand pressure alone. That base is the usual reason it gets picked over pricier options.
One stage means it maintains an edge rather than rescuing a badly dulled one. Skip it if your knives need real restoration.
Pros
- Suction base keeps it stable
- Very compact for storage
- Inexpensive backup option
Cons
- Single stage only
- Not suited to badly damaged edges
| Model | Type | Best for | Price band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matsato Sharpener | Pull through, fixed angle | Buyers sold on the ad | Around $80 | |
| AccuSharp 001C | Pull through, 2 stage | Everyday kitchen upkeep | Around $15 | |
| Sharpal 101N 6-in-1 | Pull through plus rod | Mixed knife types | Around $20 | Price |
| KitchenIQ 50009 | Pull through, 1 stage | Small kitchens | Around $10 | Price |
Mistakes to skip with any ad funnel sharpener
Buying straight from a social ad checkout page removes an easy price check. You cannot open another tab and compare in the moment, which is exactly the point of the funnel.
Paying by a method with weak buyer protection is the second mistake. A card payment gives you a dispute option. Some alternative checkout methods on ad funnels do not.
A general kitchen tool like the Matsato knife sharpener is worth cross shopping before checkout. A minute of comparison catches most inflated bundle pricing.
The bottom line: this is not a scam product, but it is an ad funnel product. That comes with real shipping and refund risk based on owner reports. For the same money or less, the AccuSharp 001C does a more predictable job with a longer track record.
FAQ
Does the Matsato knife sharpener actually work?
It can put an edge on a dull knife, based on owner reports. The angle is not published in degrees, so results vary by knife. It works best as light upkeep, not full restoration.
Is it a scam?
The product ships and functions for most buyers based on the review record. The recurring complaint is order fulfillment and refund handling, not an empty box.
What angle does it use?
The manufacturer does not list a specific angle. It describes the angle as fixed and matched to its own blade geometry, which buyers cannot independently check.
What should I buy instead?
The AccuSharp 001C covers the same basic pull through job for a fraction of the price. It has a long history of owner use, which makes it a safer starting point.
How do I get a refund if an order does not arrive?
Ask support for a refund or replacement in writing first. If that stalls, file a dispute through your card issuer with the order confirmation and tracking history attached.
Does a pull through sharpener damage knives?
It removes more steel per pass than a guided stone system. That is fine for basic kitchen knives and riskier for thin, expensive blades, a difference worth knowing before you pick between pull through sharpeners worth trusting and other formats.
If you are unsure which format fits your knives, point your knife block to the right sharpener in under a minute instead of guessing from an ad.
For a wider comparison, see our recommended home sharpeners across every budget, or a deeper look at the AccuSharp 001C on its own. To see why a fixed angle tool cuts differently than a rod or stone, read why fixed angle rods cut steel the way they do. You can also browse every sharpening tool we have reviewed.
Sources
- Matsato: Matsato Knife Sharpener product listing, manufacturer specs and pricing. https://matsato.com/products/matsato-knife-sharpener-v2