The HORL 3 is an excellent sharpener, but it costs €169. Its principle (a magnetic support that locks the angle at 15° or 20°, and a diamond disc that rolls along the edge) is not exclusive to HORL. In this comparison, we give you our honest HORL review, the differences between the HORL 2, HORL 3, Cruise and Pro, and what a €69.99 alternative is really worth, with figures to back it up.
HORL 3 Solid wood, made in the Black Forest, diamond + ceramic discs, Quick Lock. About €169 See HORL →
Our rolling knife sharpener Wooden body, 400 and 1000 grit diamond discs included, 15° and 20° angles, neodymium magnets. €69.99 See the sharpener →
16 additional discs Diamond, stone or polishing, from 240 to 10,000 grit. From €14.99 See the discs →
Our HORL sharpener review: what it does very well, and what you pay for
HORL invented the rolling knife sharpener. Otmar Horl developed it in 1993 (hence the company name, HORL 1993), and the brand still makes its sharpeners in the Black Forest, Germany. The HORL 3, its flagship model, sells for €169 on the official website.
✅ What the HORL does very well
- The finish: solid oak or walnut body, dried for several weeks before machining. It is a beautiful object, heavier and better finished than most alternatives.
- Quick Lock: you swap discs with a quarter turn, no tools needed.
- The HORL 3 diamond disc: according to HORL, it removes 80% more material than the HORL 2 disc, which shortens sharpening time.
- The grip: the Grip Pad combined with neodymium magnets holds even small blades (70% more grip than the old S-Pad, again according to HORL).
⚠️ What you pay for
- The entry price: €169 for the HORL 3, €399 for the HORL 3 Pro.
- Accessories: an extra sharpening surface costs between €49 and €79. The Precision Kit is €119.
- Only two angles on the HORL 3: 15° and 20°. For more angles, you need the Pro.
Our verdict on the HORL: it is a very good product, and we won't say otherwise. But what you pay extra for is mainly German manufacturing, solid wood and the brand. The sharpening principle itself is the same on a serious alternative.
HORL 2, HORL 3, Cruise or Pro: what are the differences?
The HORL 3 range has replaced the HORL 2 generation, which you can still find at some retailers. Here is what sets each model apart (prices seen on horl.com on September 28, 2026).
| Model | Indicative price | Body | Angles | Discs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HORL 3 Cruise | About €120 | Recycled ocean plastic | 15° and 20° | Diamond + stainless steel, fixed (not interchangeable) |
| HORL 3 | About €170 | Solid oak or walnut | 15° and 20° | Diamond + ceramic, interchangeable (Quick Lock) |
| HORL 3 Pro | About €400 | Aluminium | 10°, 13°, 15°, 20°, 22° and 25° | Diamond + ceramic, planetary gearing (3 times faster according to HORL) |
| HORL 2 (previous generation) | €90 to €300 depending on version and retailer | Wood or plastic depending on version | 15° and 20° (20° only on the Cruise) | Diamond + ceramic or stainless steel |
HORL 2 or HORL 3? If you are torn between the two, get the HORL 3: a more aggressive diamond disc, better grip and Quick Lock. A HORL 2 only makes sense if it is heavily discounted. And if budget is what makes you look at the HORL 2, read on before deciding.
Why a rolling knife sharpener is so easy to use
On a whetstone, everything depends on your technique: you have to hold the same angle for minutes, along the entire length of the blade. The slightest deviation rounds off the edge. That is the skill that takes months of practice.
A rolling sharpener removes this problem. The blade is held by magnets against a support that sets the angle, 15° for Japanese knives or 20° for European knives. All you have to do is roll the disc along the edge. The angle is the same on every pass, whether it is a HORL or an alternative.
Not sure which angle to use? Our sharpening angle chart by knife type gives you the answer in one line.
Our €69.99 alternative: what you get
Our rolling knife sharpener uses the same principle as the HORL: a magnetic support with two angles and diamond discs. It comes in natural wood or black wood, at the same price of €69.99.
- 1 wooden body (natural or black), compact and stable in the hand.
- 1 400 grit diamond disc for dull or damaged blades.
- 1 1000 grit diamond disc for routine maintenance.
- 1 15° / 20° magnetic support with neodymium magnets, for Japanese and European knives alike.
What you won't get compared to the HORL
Let's be clear: our sharpener is not made in the Black Forest, and its wood does not have the finish of a solid walnut HORL 3. It has no Quick Lock and no Grip Pad. What we guarantee is the same constant angle, a diamond abrasive and €99 less at checkout.
Discs up to 10,000 grit, from €14.99
This is where the gap widens the most. At HORL, an extra sharpening surface costs between €49 and €79. Our 16 additional discs (diamond, stone and polishing, from 240 to 10,000 grit) cost €14.99 or €15.99 each, three to five times less. You can repair a chipped edge at 240 grit, then go all the way to a mirror polish.
To choose the right grits, see our sharpening grit guide, from 240 to 10,000.
The test: our rolling knife sharpener on a Santoku
Rather than promising you a result, we filmed it. Marker test on a Santoku: we color the bevel with a marker, sharpen at 1000 grit on the 15° side, then check that the mark is removed across the full width of the bevel. We finish with the paper test.
Result: the mark disappears across the full width of the bevel, proof that the 15° angle matches the knife's own angle. The blade then slices through the paper without catching, from heel to tip.
Same result on a duller knife: after a few passes at 1000 grit, it cuts paper cleanly again.
HORL 3 vs our rolling knife sharpener: the comparison table
HORL 3 · €169
Our sharpener · €69.99 ✓
| Criterion | HORL 3 | Our sharpener ✓ Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €169 | €69.99 (€99 less) |
| Angles | 15° and 20° | ✅ 15° and 20° |
| Discs included | 1 diamond + 1 ceramic honing disc | ✅ 2 diamond (400 grit and 1000 grit) |
| Additional discs | HORL range, €49 to €79 each | ✅ 16 discs, 240 to 10,000 grit, €14.99 to €15.99 |
| Disc change | Quick Lock, in one move | Manual, in a few seconds |
| Blade hold | Neodymium magnets + Grip Pad | ✅ Neodymium magnets |
| Body | Solid oak or walnut | Natural wood or black wood |
| Distribution | Made in the Black Forest, Germany | Sold direct, no middleman |
| Dry use | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Who is it for? | Lovers of beautiful objects, premium gift idea | Anyone who wants sharp knives at the best price |
What the table shows: on what creates sharpness (constant angle, diamond abrasive, magnetic hold), both sharpeners do the same job. The HORL wins on finish, Quick Lock and origin. Our sharpener wins on price, and even more on the cost of discs.
Hatori, Tumbler, generic copies: other HORL alternatives
In recent years, many brands have started selling rolling knife sharpeners, mostly online. Here are the most talked-about ones, with the prices shown on their official websites as of September 28, 2026 (excluding one-off promotions).
| Model | Indicative price | Angles | What you should know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatori Rolling Knife Sharpener | About $80 | 15° and 20° | Diamond disc and magnetic support. Japanese-themed brand, operated by a company based in the United Arab Emirates. |
| Tumbler Original | About $100 to $130 | 15° and 20° | Diamond disc and steel honing disc. The Pro version (about $160) adds removable discs. |
| Unbranded copies | About €30 to €50 | 15° and 20° | Highly variable quality: uneven rolling, fragile wood, weak magnets depending on the model. |
| Our sharpener | €69.99 | 15° and 20° | 2 diamond discs included, 16 additional discs from 240 to 10,000 grit, multilingual customer service (French, English and more). |
Our advice: whatever the brand, check three things before buying. Are the discs replaceable? Are fine grits available for finishing? And does the seller respond if there is a problem? That is often where the cheapest alternatives disappoint.
🏅 Which one should you choose?
Get the HORL 3 if you want an object made in Germany, in solid wood, to give as a gift or display in your kitchen, and €169 is not a problem. Only get the HORL 3 Pro if you need angles like 10° or 25°.
Get our rolling knife sharpener if your goal is well-sharpened knives every day. You get the same constant-angle principle, two diamond discs that cover most needs, and a range of discs up to 10,000 grit for under €16 each.
Either way, your knives will be far better maintained than with a pull-through sharpener. The difference is what stays in your pocket: €99.
See the €69.99 sharpener →🎁 Free: the e-book "The Rolling Knife Sharpener Guide"
Get the getting-started manual for the rolling knife sharpener for free: step-by-step use, choosing discs and grits.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is the HORL sharpener worth the price?
Yes if you want a beautiful object made in Germany's Black Forest, in solid wood, with the Quick Lock system and German customer service. No if your only goal is a sharp knife: the principle (a magnetic angle support and a rolling diamond disc) is the same on a serious €69.99 alternative, €99 less than the €169 HORL 3.
What is the difference between the HORL 2 and the HORL 3?
The HORL 3 is gradually replacing the HORL 2. According to HORL, its block-diamond disc removes 80% more material than the HORL 2 family's disc, and its Grip Pad holds the blade 70% better than the old S-Pad. It also adds the Quick Lock system, which lets you swap discs in one move. The angles are still 15° and 20°.
Will the alternative damage my knives?
No. Our discs use industrial diamond, the same type of abrasive as premium sharpeners. What protects the blade is the constant angle set by the magnetic support: it avoids the angle variations of freehand sharpening, which round off the edge.
Can you sharpen Japanese knives with a rolling knife sharpener?
Yes. The 15° side of the magnetic support matches the angle of most Japanese knives (Santoku, Gyuto, Nakiri). The support sets this angle mechanically, which makes these blades easier to maintain than freehand on a whetstone.
Why is there such a price gap between HORL and the alternative?
The HORL is made in the Black Forest (Germany), in solid wood, and sold through a network of retailers with a large brand budget. Our sharpener is sold direct, with no middleman or retail network. The €99 gap (59% cheaper) comes from manufacturing, finish and distribution, not from the sharpening principle.
Do you need water to use a rolling knife sharpener?
No. The diamond and stone discs of a rolling sharpener are used dry. Just attach the blade to the magnetic support and roll the disc along the edge, with no preparation or rinsing.
Are the discs replaceable and how much do they cost?
Yes. Our sharpener comes with two diamond discs, 400 grit and 1000 grit. Sixteen additional discs are sold separately, from 240 to 10,000 grit, at €14.99 to €15.99 each. At HORL, additional HORL 3 sharpening surfaces cost between €49 and €79.
