An electric sharpener for sharpening ceramic blades includes at least one stage. The stage is a finishing station having a sharpening member in the form of a disc which comprises a rigid support having a flexible abrasive matrix which both sharpens and polishes the facet of the ceramic blade. The sharpener may include a pre-sharpening stage for metal blades and a further pre-sharpening stage for ceramic blades. The sharpener also includes a removable guide.