Chefs choice knife sharpener

16 years ago

I am seriousely considering trying an electric knife sharpener. My knives are Wusthof and Shun. I use a steel on a regular basis and then use a hand held sharpener in between. I don't have the opportunity to have them professionally sharpened, and I don't want to learn how to sharpen them myself with a stone. My asian knives have a 15 degree angle and the Wusthof is 20 degrees.

I've decided to buy an electirc sharpener, preferably one that will accomadate both types of knives. I've see the Chef's Choice 1520, and wonder if any one has any experience using one? Cook's Illustrated likes the Chefs Choice 130, but it dosen't do the Asian knifes, so I'm looking at the 1520.

Any one with any experience with the electrics?

Thanks for your thoughts!

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Comments (15)

jimster
16 years ago
My daughter had an electric sharpener (don't know the make) and it didn't work well at all. Somewhere I read that electric sharpeners often are not a good choice. It advised to get a handheld sharpener such as the Accusharp. I gave an Accusharp to my daughter and I use it on her knives when I visit. I find it quickly does a good job, close enough for kitchen use to the water stones I use at home in my wood shop. I recently bought an Accusharp for my kitchen.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Accusharp Knife Sharpener
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
The Chef's Choice sharpeners are very good quality. If I could afford one, I would use it often to keep my knives sharp. Remember, you don't want to use the section that removes metal from your knife but sparingly - only use that slot about once a year. The honing slots can be used more often.
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The Chef's Choice is good if you have to do major reedging. But those powered wheels take off steel very fast. I have had good luck with the inexpensive Wusthof hand held sharpeners. For best results hold the blade exactly vertical with the sharpener on a level object and move smoothly and gently through the sharpener. If the blade is in good shape, it may only take a single pass on the ceramic to reach maximum sharpness. I do have a Forschner 10 inch (Victorinox) that didn't really get a great edge til I ran it accross the diamonds on the Chef's Choice -- Since the Test Kitchen affiliate promotes the Victorinox, this may explain why they extoll the Chef's Choice to a level that puzzles me. The Chef's Choice does make it easy to generate a multi angle edge and/or an edge with bite (vertical grooving) although I don't take advantage of these. I haven't used the Spanish Henkels, but believe the good reviews in general. I doubt if they are the hardest steel around. The Japanese generate some really hard stuff.
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jimster
16 years ago
Susan,

I apologize for trying to discourage you from a decision you already made and for giving advice you didn't ask for. I hate it when people do that, don't you? :-)

Jim
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
Let's put it this way: All I have to do is say "Chef's Choice Electric Knife Sharpener" to DH and he immediately starts apologizing. It ranks #1 in our household as Worst Cooking Purchase Ever. I ended up having to get the knives re-edged because the sharpener changed the angles.
jakkom
16 years ago
I've owned the Chef's Choice 320 for the last five years. Does an excellent job on my Wusthof and Lamson knives.
plllog
16 years ago
My father gave me a stone. He made a pretty wooden box-holder for it. The problem with knife sharpeners, he says, is that they take too much metal off. He sees them as a scheme to make people who are intimidated by the thought of sharpening their own knives ruin their knives so they'll buy more, or something like that.
foodonastump
16 years ago
I've been very happy with my Chef's Choice 120, but if I were to do it over again I'd save up a bit longer and go for a stone system such as Edge Pro.

Kframe will likely come here and recommend a different brand - I have no idea how it compares to Edgepro either in cost or quality.

Here is a link that might be useful: Edgepro
marlingardener
16 years ago
My husband recently gave me a Chef's Choice Edgeselect 120, and I love it! My knives, which are good ones, were getting pretty dull, professional sharpening is not available, and although I have a manual, hand-held sharpener, it just wasn't putting the edge on the knives. I used the #3 grinding once on each knife, then honed. Boy, are they sharp (goes through a sheet of paper like a razor). I'd definitely recommend a Chef's Choice.
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
16 years ago
I have a variety of sharpening stones, but the one I use the most is a fine grit silicone carbide (Carborundum) wet/dry sand paper. (Home Depot tools department)

I keep a few in the drawer. They take up no space, lasted me many years.

They work much better and faster then sharpening steel.

I just lay one flat on the chopping board, add a few drops of water, pull the knife a few times each side, the edge is quickly sharpened again.

dcarch
susanilz5
Original Author
16 years ago
Jimster, No apology necessary. I knew when I posted this question I was going to get some strong opinions, and the majority would not agree with me. But that's OK!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'll check out your suggestions. Has any one used the 1520?
tropicals9b
16 years ago
We have the 1520 and love it! Use it on 20 year old Henckels 4 star, newer Henckels International Couteau and those white nylon handled knives from Sam's Club.

Val
arley_gw
16 years ago
IF you have room in your shop/garage for a dedicated bench grinder, consider getting a paper wheel system. They do take up a fair amount of space, but can put a razor edge on the dullest knife in just a few minutes. I really like mine.

The web site at the link reviews all the various machines and stones, and sells paper wheels. He likes the Chef Choice, but with the caution that it can scratch the sides of the knife--okay for general use but not for collectible knives.

Here is a link that might be useful: sharpening systems
susanilz5
Original Author
16 years ago
I ordered the 1520 on line. Cross your fingers, and thanks!
kframe19
16 years ago
Several years ago a friend of mine decided to get one of these to try sharpening his Forschner kitchen knives.

It took me literally HOURS of work by hand with oil stones and with a Lanskey sharpening system to repair the damage that he did, and he was using the machine as the instructions specified.

I simply won't use one.
pfmastin
16 years ago
I have an electric shapener, although not a Chef's Choice, and have been happy with it for years. I don't have the patience for hand sharpening and I freely admit it. :)

Chefs choice knife sharpener

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Chefs choice knife sharpener

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