Reviews (33)

Razor Sharp
I had purchased a Sabatier knife sharpener some years ago, recommmended by a Bloomie's salesperson/ knife aficionado. The unit had one slot, and kept a reasonable, but not great, edge on my Henckel knives. When I finally mangled my Henckel serrated bread knife to a completely dull edge with that sharpener (silly me), I had a dilemma. My current knives needed sharpening, and I wasn't getting the results I wanted with the Sabatier. I wasn't about to buy a whole new set of knives, either. I read some of the reviews here, and decided to take the plunge with the Chef's Choice.Good move!

The sharpener took my dull knives and brought them back to life, as I would have hoped. My 8" Chef's knife is sharper than when I first got it.I have to be extremely mindful when using it now, as it can slice carrots and lop off a finger with ease.

My serrated bread and tomato knives, which had less cutting ability than a butter knife, are much better after numerous passes through the serrated blade slot. While not what they once were (I have myself to blame, using my old sharpener on both standard and serrated blades), they at least provide some service now, versus none before. I am happy to report that the three-stage process in this model has the separate slot for serrated knives, which is great.

One could argue a moderate set of knives is less expensive than buying this sharpener. However, if you believe it better to use what the pros use, and have invested in world-class knives, as I have, then this sharpener will keep them honed to an edge you will appreciate.

Dear "cooking for a living"
You obviously haven't a clue what you are talking about.I own two of these, an industrial version for my restaurant and this model for home.The industrial version makes very quick and sanitary work on the 40 some odd knives we invariably have to sharpen.They both do almost as good of a job as I can but in a lot less time.I paid $400 for it (the commercial 2000 version) and it has saved me much, much more than that in both time (for those times I sharpened them myself) and money (for those times I sent them out).

This particular model I have at home (in fact I just ordered another for a friend), and it is a godsend when it comes to removing that particular chore from my life.It doesn't get them quite as sharp as I can get them, but they get closer with every update.The only knives I don't use this for are my many japanese knives especially those with a single bevel edge (such as my usuba knife) and my boning knives (the machine just can't get at the tight angle near the bolster, and I like that to be sharp, funny enough automotive sandpaper stuck to a mouse pad is the best sharpener I can find for that job).The vast majority of culinary professionals will send their knives out to be sharpened, as they don't have the time to waste on sharpenening knives.

Wusthof recommends this particular sharpener for use on it's knives, so there goes that theory.

Oh, and I didn't go to culinary school I studied in France, Italy and Japan in various 3 and 4 star restaurants.

So, in summary, stop trying to insult everybody while trying to elevate yourself, you aren't special, and learn what you are talking about BEFORE you rate something.

The Real Deal...Recommended By Wusthof-Trident
While most home "sharpeners" merely hone your knives, this product actually crafts a new, razor sharp edge on your knives.The term "sharpener" is a misnomer applied to many gadgets which are, in reality, only honers.Having fallen prey to this bit of deception myself (over the years, I have purchased ceramic rods, grinding wheels, carbide shapeners and a product called The Chantry), I am very pleased to have finally found this no-nonsense , genuine sharpener.I have used this product with "factory new" results on all of my Wusthof-Trident Culinar knives. And contrary to statements posted by another reviewer, this sharpener is in fact recommended by Wusthof-Trident for use on their knives--please refer to their "Comprehensive Guide On Honing and Sharpening" available on their website.One word of caution, though; this product is designed to sharpen knives with approximately a 20 degree cutting edge. Knives with cutting edges less than 20 degrees (i.e., Japanese knives) are probably not suited for this sharpener.Altogether, I highly recommend this product.

better than the model it replaced
I had some trepedations buying this sharpener. I had purchased the 110, a 3-stage sharpener from Chef's Choice some years ago. Had those lousy metal bars in the grooves that kept getting stuck occasionally. But my wife is very hard on knifes. She rarely hones them with the steel, and for the occasional times I cook, it drives me crazy to use dull knives. I appreciate a good quality knife, and collect pocket knives, so getting cheap knives and replacing them frequently was not an option for me. I bought this unit because I don't have the time to manually sharpen over a dozen different types of knives we use.

Wow, what a great sharpener! While the results I got on the 110 were inconsistent, and I had to resharpen after testing, the 120 sharpened knives consistently sharp every time. The real test came when I had to sharpen the carving knife to cut the Thanksgiving turkey. I like to slice the breast meat thin, and it's a good sign of how sharp the knife is. Got thin slices quickly with minimum effort. I would have rated the 110 2-3 stars, but this unit deserves the 5 I'm giving it. And while it's easy enough for my wife to use, I still sharpen the knives because she just doesn't bother to care for them. Now if I could only find something to take care of that....

The perfect sharpener - count on it.
If you have invested in a good set of knives - do yourself a very big favor and invest in a quality knife sharpener. I wish I had purchased this months ago - it is a bit expensive but worth every penny. Don't mess with manual sharperners - to many chances for a mistake that can ruin a quality knife. One thing to mention if you buy this - READ THE MANUAL - that's a must. There are different wheels (for sharpening) based on how you will use your knives - if you read the manual and do exactly what it says, you can't go wrong. ... Read more

Features

• Automatic shut off, boil dry safety shut off
• Advanced design, concealed heating element is never in contact with the water
• High quality brushed stainless steel, 1.7L capacity
• Cordless kettle lifts from corded base for easy pouring and serving
• 1700 watts, boils faster than microwave or stove

Features

• Measures 15 by 10-1/2 by 10-4/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty
• Cast-aluminum and stainless-steel slicer with gear-driven, cool-running, high-torque motor
• 7-inch, multi-purpose, stainless-steel blade slices from deli-thin to 1-inch thick slices
• Tilted, large-capacity food carriage and cantilever design provide fast, efficient slicing
• Blade, food carriage, food pusher, food deflector, and thickness guide remove for easy cleaning

Amazon.com Review

With its three-stage, high-speed polishing system, this Chef’s Choice electric knife sharpener keeps all household blades hair-splitting sharp, honed, and polished. The machine quickly sharpens gourmet kitchen knives, butcher knives and cleavers, hunting and sporting knives--it even sharpens serrated knives. Using 100-percent diamond abrasives of differing grit, the sharpener creates two blade facets in the first two stages. The third stage strops and polishes, completing the sharpening with a micro bevel and microflute cutters. Together, these processes combine to create Chef’s Choice patented Trizor-Plus edge.

A compact unit, the sharpener features three separate sharpening platforms with left and right slots and internal springs to guide knives securely. The weighted base and non-skid feet keep it stable in use. It also includes a rocker power switch, durable housing, and a manually activated cleaning/dressing tool to clean the honing disks in stage three. Measuring 9-3/4 by 4 by 4-1/4 inches, the sharpener carries a three-year warranty. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Measures 9-3/4 by 4 by 4-1/4 inches; 3-year warranty
• Electric knife sharpener with precision angle control for Trizor-Plus edge
• Use with chef knives, butcher knives, sporting knives, and serrated blades
• 100-percent diamond abrasives in stages 1 and 2 sharpen and hone
• Stropping and polishing in stage 3 for hairsplitting sharpness

Amazon.com Review

For tea, instant coffee, or hot chocolate, this cordless, 1,500-watt electric kettle brings 1-1/3 quarts of water to a boil faster than a microwave. The kettle is made of stainless steel polished to a mirror finish. To provide 360-degree access, the kettle fits onto the power base in any position and swivels for easy liftoff. The heating element in the base never touches water, so there will be no mineral buildup on it. The roomy handle stays cool, the cord wraps on the base's underside, and rubber feet on the base resist slipping. For safety, the kettle shuts off automatically when water boils or if the kettle runs dry. The kettle stands 8 inches high on its power base and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Rubber feet on base resist slipping; stay-cool handle; cord-wrap
• Electric kettle boils up to 1-1/3 quarts water faster than microwave
• Cordless: swivels and lifts off power base for convenient pouring
• Made of 18/10 stainless steel polished to mirror-finish
• Automatic shutoff when water boils or kettle runs dry

Reviews (10)

quick reply to "Looks pretty but doesn't turn off quickly"
I found the reviews here very helpful and accurate, and now that I have this kettle wanted to pay back a bit. The comment that the kettle doesn't turn off quickly is right, as indicated in the review titled "Looks pretty but doesn't turn off quickly." BUT you may like this feature, depending on how you make tea. Part of the idea of the long boil is, I think, that you can just pick up teh kettle and pour your tea while the kettle is still boiling the water. This is what I find myself doing.

I like it because with my other electric kettle I find I often end up hitting the button after it boils to boil it again quickly right before I pour my tea.

Just an added thought.

Excellent choice
Since I've never owned an electric teakettle before, I can't say that this is the definitive best. If you own one of those kettles that you put on the stove, this one beats it no contest. There is no more guessing if your water reached the boiling point, because it turns off when the water reaches 100 C (I can't remember the number in Farenheit); also, it takes drastically less time to reach the boiling point in the first place. For myself, I get to enjoy my tea that much faster and I have a ready to use source of hot water to add to meals that I'm cooking.
This kettle is one of those gadgets that have become indispensable. It is fairly expensive, but even though I've only used it since November 2003 (about two months now), it's worth every penny.
The only disadvantage I can see is if you're in the midst of a power outage. Obviously, you'll want to break out your non-electrified kettle that takes forever to heat up. Otherwise, keep that relic in storage, because you won't be needing it.

There's a better choice
Take a look at the Melitta Express Kettle. It shuts off soon after it reaches the boiling point. Has a tip type of lid which latches to prevent burns but is easily opened. Costs $30 less than the Chef's Choice and is very attractive. I have had mine for about 6 months and it still looks perfect and operates wonderfully. Heats water very fast. Has a interior water level guide. Unfortunately, it doesn't show up near the top in most searches on Amazon or I am sure it would become a big seller. You can get it at Target, so you have instant gratification.

Looks pretty but doesn't turn off quickly
This kettle looks pretty but doesn't turn off once it boils. This means it dumps steam into the room for at least two minutes, fogging windows and generally dampening things up quite a bit. Also, the round grip on the top is made out of plastic and feels shoddy, as does the turn on switch. I wish I had returned it but I am slow getting things into the mail and the 30 days passed before I knew it. Oh well, it does boil water!

outstanding
An electric kettle seemingly wouldn't wear out, but that is exactly what happened to our previous one after only one year of use. This one has already beaten that. Additionally, it holds the water at a boil for a bit of time, rather than shutting off as soon as the boil is reached. This means that the water stays hotter in the kettle. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Designed for household use, this electric food slicer isperfect for meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruits, making it easy toprepare sandwiches, salads, antipasto, and party trays. The 100-wattcondenser motor operates quietly, and the carriage travels smoothly.The slicer's 7-inch surgical-stainless-steel blade removes for cleaningand sharpening. A thickness-adjustment knob permits paper-thin slicesor slabs about 0.6-inch thick. Safety features include a hiddenchildproof switch that prevents the slicer from being turned on, and anautomatic on/off switch on the thickness-control knob so the slicershuts off as soon as the thumb releases pressure. (The on/off switchcan also be set for continuous operation.) For cleaning, partsdisassemble easily. Made of rugged plastic and stainless steel, theslicer weighs 11 pounds and measures 14 inches wide, 10-1/2 incheshigh, and 11-1/2 inches deep. It carries a one-year warranty againstdefects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Childproof safety switch
• Versatile household food slicer
• Perfect for meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, bread
• Adjusts to precisely slice thick or thin
• 7-inch surgical-stainless-steel blade

Reviews (2)

Best Slicer
I can only give this slicer 5 stars, if I had a choice I would give it 10 stars.
I got this as a Christmas gift. My first use was to test it at slicing the dinner turkey leftovers for lunch meat. It worked perfectly.
I have since used it to slice roast beef, sharp cheddar cheese, ham and vegetables.
The meat is cut as thin as you want, I prefer very thin, no problem.
This is a dream machine, it is built to last and easy to clean.
I have tried to find something negitive to say but I really cannot. If you need a slicer Buy it,
No I don;t work for chefchoice. I am really a satisified customer.

Great Machine
I'm very Happy this product.
Slice the Hardest Italian Salami and the softest Bread the Same
way.Easy to clean. I'm recomending this product for everybody. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Nothing beats the caramel aroma and fresh flavor of home-baked wafflecones, and this appliance makes one in about two minutes. And, because it hasinstant temperature recovery, it makes cone after cone without delay. The bakingprocess itself averages about 90 seconds, depending on the degree of browningrequired. A color-control dial makes that personal-taste choice easy to select.Accompanying the waffle-cone maker is a plastic cone-rolling form. Illustratedinstructions show how easily it's done, and recipes provide the remaininginformation needed to become a master cone maker. The nonstick waffle platesmeasure 7 inches in diameter and clean with the swipe of a cloth. Overall, the1,000-watt appliance measures 8-3/4 inches wide, 3-1/4 inches high, and 10inches deep. It carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 8-3/4 inches wide, 3-1/4 inches high, and 10 inches deep
• Makes sugar cones in about two minutes
• Cone-rolling form and recipes included
• Instant temperature recovery; color-selection control
• Nonstick waffle plates measure 7 inches in diameter

Reviews (4)

SIMPLY FANTASTIC!!
I recently bought a really great ice cream machine and I happened to be browsing the internet and I saw this waffle cone maker. At first, I thought, "O.K., not another gadget!" but after reading several descriptions of the machine I decided to buy it. Thank God for going with my first mind!! This machine is incredible. After reading the brief instructions, I mixed up my batch of waffle cone mix (Chef's Choice) and set out on my adventure. Spraying a small amount of olive oil onto the heating pads (I always spray oil for the first time of each use) I poured my first coaster-sized amount of mix onto the machine; closed the lid and waited for the appropriate time to elapse. After opening the lid, out came this good smelling circular cone. Immediately, I lifted the cone using a rubber spatula; used the cone roller as indicated and Viola!! A great cone!! Not to mention the wonderful smell permeating my house!!
It took me two tries to get the right amount of mix to make the perfect cone. I had some of the mix slide out the sides of the machine...no problem, just wipe it off. When making your cone fold a small amount at the bottom before you begin rolling the cone; or pinch the bottom of the cone when rolling so that your ice cream will not come out at the end; or put some melted chocolate, butterscotch or caramel at the bottom and let it get hard...a tasty plug!!
The only thing I can think of that would make this one package complete is if the company would supply a rubber spatula, the towel (they mention using) or perhaps a pair of cotton gloves to help roll the cone...it is hot!! However, I really use just my hands. I get a better feel of the roller this way. And, please do not let these couple of items dissuade you from purchasing this machine. That would be terrible. We should all, hopefully, have a rubber spatula and towels!!
Cleaning the machine is a breeze. The non-stick heating pads are greatly appreciated.
I highly recommend this machine. What a great addition to any household that loves ice cream!!
Be Blessed!!

Customer Lure
This is the best way to draw customers into our ice cream shop. They smell the waffle cones baking and we can't sell enough. Is there some way to guide me to a source or supplier who sells the waffle cone mix. The ice cream store I worked in 2 years ago bought the mix and all you had to do was add water. I can't seem to find out who sells it. It's quick and you can mix up any amount at a time instead of a full recipe. I would appreciate your help. Your cone maker is wonderful!
Thanks, Judith K. Tooker

Great appliance!
My kids love waffle cones but they cost much $ at ice cream parlors and the store. Bought this waffle cone maker & its easy to use - just throw the cone ingredients in a bowl, stir, put the batter in the pan and 1 minute later you have a delicious fresh waffle cone. Could'nt be easier & I've saved lots of $ having cones at home instead of at the ice cream stands. Fun to make with groups of kids too!

dessert lover
This product is easy to use right out of the box. I got this a couple of days ago and have used it twice. The recipe booklet includes 3 recipes that are easy to follow. I have tried two of the recipes to rave results from my family. You can have fresh ice cream cones any time and they taste better than the supermarket cones in the box. These cones are a little smaller than the fresh waffle cones sold in the ice cream shops. The only thing you need to remember to do is to grease it well and often even though the waffle baker is non-stick some batter does get stuck in the grid of the waffle baker. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Heavy, rugged, and powerful, this commercial-quality foodslicer has a large carriage and tilted design to handle big hams,roasts, and blocks of cheese with speed and ease, as well as smallvegetables, luncheon meats, and crusty bread. The 180-watt inductionmotor operates quietly, and the carriage travels smoothly on industrialball bearings. Users can clean the slicer's 8.6-inch surgicalstainless-steel blade while it's in place, or, when more thoroughcleaning is necessary, can remove it safely with a Plexiglas tool thatfeatures big thumb screws that attach to the blade and then serve ashandles to lift the blade free. Accompanying the slicer is a detachablegrinding wheel sharpener. (Detailed sharpening instructions areincluded.) A thickness adjustment knob calibrated in millimeterspermits slicing from paper thin to about .6 inch.

Safety features include a double switch system, where one switch turnsthe unit and the other switch, spring-loaded for additional safety,operates the blade; an indicator light that serves as a reminder whenthe blade is rotating; thick Plexiglas guards on the carriage and thefood pusher; and a switch that prevents the slicer from operating ifthe blade guard is not properly in place. Made of die-cast metal, theslicer weighs 29 pounds and measures 19.3 inches wide, 14.6 incheshigh, and 14 inches deep. It comes with a plastic serving tray.--Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Includes tool to safely remove blade for cleaning
• Heavy, rugged, powerful, commercial-quality food slicer
• 8.6-inch surgical-stainless-steel blade, with detachable sharpener
• Large food carriage rides smoothly on industrial ball bearings
• Tilted for fast slicing; multiple safety features

Reviews (1)

Top Notch Home Slicer
I first ordered a model 645 Veri-tilt unit but was disapointed because the "travel" on the slicer was not adaquate to slice my much loved prosciutto.The blade was only 7 inches and was serrated. It also lacked a blade cover so I was sure it would "drag" when slicing. (At $20.00 a pound for good prosciutto I didn't even try!)

The larger model 662 with the 8.6 inch smooth blade was a far better choice! It had a covered blade that only exposes the cutting edge of the blade to the meat surface. This is also a much safer configuration then the "exposed" blades found on the less expensive models.

The unit is solidly built and appears to be of a very high quality. The travel on the slicing cariage is long enough to cut most meats. The "rump" side of the average prosciutto is still a bit larger than the travle distance of the slicer but this is easily overcome by trimming the sides of the meat to slightly narrow it.

I have been thrilled with how thin this slicer can can "shave" a piece of meat. I can actually read through some of the slices. I have used this slicer to cut Roast beef, salami,turkey,chicken, tomatoes,onions, prosciutto, and even limes! It has never failed to perform as I had hoped. This is truly a "deli" quality slicer even if it is a bit small. Don't get me wrong, it is still a rather large machine and needs a bit of counter and storage space to operate. I actually am happy that it will fit in my cabinet, because my wife wasen't thrilled with the idea of this thing being on the countertop all of the time!

Having this machine has saved me both time and money when entertaining friends. (We throw parties a few times a year and it has made quite an impression on our guests!)

I have not tried the included blade sharpener yet but the instruction are clear and quite simple. I'll post again once I have tried the sharpener.

Thanks, Amazon for a great product and a gracious return policy! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

It may seem like a contradiction, but sharp knives are the safest. With a clean edge, a knife is more predicable and easier to control. If you've purchased a top-of-the-line knife, maintaining the quality of the blade ensures maximum value from your investment. This Chef's Choice knife sharpener performs professional-quality sharpening on any knife, from gourmet knives to hunting knives--even the tips of serrated knives can be improved with this machine (for a complete sharpening of serrated knives, however, Chef's Choice recommends models 120 and 320). For top-quality edges, there are two sharpening and honing stages, which use 100% diamond abrasives, and a final polishing stage. Each stage uses precision angle guides to create a unique "Trizor-Plus" edge for maximum sharpness and durability, while a magnetic pad collects residue so the machine is easy to clean and maintain. While a sharp knife is indeed a safe knife, it's wise to use caution with your newly sharpened knives, as they'll be sharper than you expect. --Laura Cuthbert ... Read more

Features

• Two-year household warranty
• Three-stage precision sharpening
• Works for gourmet chef knives, butcher knives, sporting knives
• 100% diamond abrasive will never detemper
• Unique "Trizor-Plus" edge for greater sharpness and durability

Reviews (7)

Caveat Emptor
This thing is a ...joke. Yes, I've tried everything suggested in the instuctions, including holding my hand just so. Curiously, it'll make a grocery store rubber paring knife about as sharp as it will make real carbon steel knives. My guess is, that was the design goal. If you want to sharpen your rubber knives, this is your machine. It does a lot of impressive vibrating and stuff but it doesn't really sharpen knives. If you want one of these, mine will be for sale soon on e-bay.

Great product...
I am a carpenter, not a chef. However, as such, I know the value of sharp tools. They cut faster, easier and are much safer. A dull tool or knife is unpredictable and this makes it more dangerous than a sharp one.

My wife (a much better cook than me) and I have some high quality knives and some knives of dubious quality. I took about 1 hour and sharpened about 10 of them. The results were great. It is a little tricky to get used to holding the knife while in the slots... you are kind of balancing it in your hand instead of holding it. You have to let the magnets guide it. After a few knives, it was much easier.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that I can get a quality knife a little sharper with one of my wetstones. This only applies to the good knives I have. What I do is sharpen the good ones on the machine, then finish with a few swipes on my stone. It is a lot faster than doing the whole thing by hand.

The lower quality knives don't seem to respond to this as well. However, they are MUCH sharper than they were before.

Puts the guesswork out of manual sharpening.
I am a proud owner of this machine.(I did not get paid by the manufacturer to say this) This machine is foolproof, you just have to read the instructions that comes with the machine. You know what? I put a razor sharp edge back to my 8-inch chef knife in less than 3 minutes! I was so overwhelmed by how sharp the edge cuts newspaper, it just glides through with almost no resistence at all! I actually had tears in my eyes for the knife "just came back to life" again. OK, for those of you who don't know how a real sharp edge cuts like, here's a rule of thumb: use the razor and paper test, that is, open a new piece of razor and cut through a piece of paper from up to down. Cut for a few times and remember how it feels like, then cut with your kitchen knife, if it drags or even nicks during the cutting stroke, the knife needs sharpening. This machine puts life back to your dull, hide at the dark corners of your knife drawer knives. If it doesn't, it's either you got some [bad] knives or you are just plain STUPID! ... Thank you VERY much.

Useful Tool, But Could Be Better
I currently own the professional Chef's Choice model (which I highly recommend, by the way), but previously used this model made for home kitchens (don't let the word "professional" in [the] description of this model's title fool you ... there is a real professional quality Chef's Choice electric sharpener).

I purchased a Chef's Choice after reading good things about this electric sharpener in "Cooks Illustrated" magazine. It definitely made a world of difference. I was starting with good knifes--Wustof Trident and Henckels--which may have something to do with my success, but the Chef's Choice really does make home sharpening possible, and easy, in my experience. When a knife seems dulls I run it through the whole sharpening process (once every 4-6 months with a high quality knife that gets a fair amount of use), but to keep my knives constantly razor sharp--which is what I really love about the Chef's Choice--I just run them through the second stage a few times as soon as they're washed. That way they're always ready to use.

My only negatives would be ... 1) That I've had no luck sharpening serrated knives (like a bread knife), which the Chef's Choice claims is can do. Because serrated knives hold their edge a LOT longer than other knives, this isn't a major concern for me. To sharpen your serrated knives I suggest taking them to a professional--look under "knife sharpening" or "cutlery" in the yellow pages. It only needs to be done once a year or so and most will do it while you wait for around $3-$5 per knife. 2) My second caveat for the chef's choice is that the "third" stage on this model has little or no effect as far as I can tell. 3) Also, the motor in this model, is a little chintzy, when compared with the far more substantial professional model, which only has two stages by the way. For the money, it should really last longer than three and half years--which is how long by old one ran before conking out.

Before discarding that knife ...
I purchased the Chef's Choice Model 110 and used it to sharpen a knife [not mine] that had been previously damaged by someone trying to sharpen the knife on a grinding wheel. While the 110 could not correct the cosmetic damage done to the knife, it did restore a very sharp edge to the knife. I look forward to sharpening MY knives and maintaining a razor sharp edge.

Before discarding that knife, try the model 110 and save cash! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

With its three-stage, high-speed polishing system, this Chef’s Choice electric knife sharpener keeps all household blades hair-splitting sharp, honed, and polished. The machine quickly sharpens gourmet kitchen knives, butcher knives and cleavers, hunting and sporting knives--it even sharpens serrated knives. Using 100-percent diamond abrasives of differing grit, the sharpener creates two blade facets in the first two stages. The third stage strops and polishes, completing the sharpening with a micro bevel and microflute cutters. Together, these processes combine to create Chef’s Choice patented Trizor-Plus edge.

A compact unit, the sharpener features three separate sharpening platforms with left and right slots and internal springs to guide knives securely. The weighted base and non-skid feet keep it stable in use. It also includes a rocker power switch, durable housing, and a manually activated cleaning/dressing tool to clean the honing disks in stage three. Measuring 9-3/4 by 4 by 4-1/4 inches, the sharpener carries a three-year warranty. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Measures 9-3/4 by 4 by 4-1/4 inches; 3-year warranty
• Electric knife sharpener with precision angle control for Trizor-Plus edge
• Use with chef knives, butcher knives, sporting knives, and serrated blades
• 100-percent diamond abrasives in stages 1 and 2 sharpen and hone
• Stropping and polishing in stage 3 for hairsplitting sharpness

Amazon.com Review

Operating either upright for meats and cheeses or easily tilted30 degrees to "gravity-feed" vegetables, fruits, andbread to the blade, this food slicer makes it easy to preparesandwiches for the family and the soccer team or prepare food forpreserving in large quantities. The 130-watt condenser motor operatesquietly and the carriage travels smoothly. The slicer's 7-inch surgicalstainless-steel blade removes for cleaning and sharpening. A thicknessadjustment knob calibrated in millimeters permits slicing from paperthin to about .6 inch. The slicer's open design permits access for large trays and platters to be situated directly under the blade. (A plastictray is included.)

Safety features include a hidden, childproof switch that prevents theslicer from being turned on, and an automatic on/off switch plate onthe food carriage so the slicer shuts off as soon as the hand releases pressure. The parts disassemble easily for cleaning. Madeof cast aluminum and stainless steel, the slicer weighs 13 pounds andmeasures 14 inches wide, 10.4 inches high, and 11-1/4 inches deep. Itcarries a five-year warranty against defects, with a 10-year warrantyon the motor. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 5-year warranty against defects, with motor warrantied for 10 years
• Rugged, powerful food slicer made of cast aluminum and stainless steel
• Works upright for meats, cheeses; tilts to "gravity-feed" vegetables, bread
• 7-inch surgical-stainless-steel blade; child-proof safety switch
• Open design permits access for trays, platters under slicer

Amazon.com Review

This electric sharpener is so simple to use that knivespractically sharpen themselves. It puts a professional-style edge onany kitchen or sporting knife (except serrated knives). Becausemagnetic guides hold a blade at the proper angles, no guesswork isinvolved. You simply grip your knife loosely and pull it lightlythrough the sharpener's slots without pressing down. Key to this knifesharpener's performance is the two different stages: the sharpeningstage and the second honing stage, which polishes the blade to a razoredge. Those two stages create different bevels, putting a "shoulder" onan edge instead of sharpening with a single bevel. The shoulderstrengthens the edge so it lasts longer. For each stage there is a pairof slots, and the slots use 100 percent diamond abrasives for hardness.The sharpener measures 7 inches long, 4-1/4 inches high, and 3-3/4inches deep and carries a two-year warranty against defects. --FredBrack ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty against defects
• 100 percent diamond abrasives sharpen carbon and stainless-steel knives
• First stage sharpens blade, second hones razor edge
• Magnetic guides hold blade at proper angles; no need to press down
• Double-bevel edge is sharper and lasts longer than factory or professional edges

Reviews (3)

Excellent Value
I have Chicago Cutlery knives. First I used the Steel that came with the knives. After about 3 years, the knives would not sharpen very well.

Then I got a "set" that used 4 ceramic rods to sharpen the knives. They did a very good job, but it was a LOT of work.

After using that set for about 5 years, I tried a real "cheapy" electric sharpener and returned it after one use. It just did not sharpen. -- Back to the rods.

I finally decided to give the 300W a try. It works just great. The knives get much sharper than any other method I have tried and they stay sharp much longer. For my purposes, this is an excellent sharpener.

Good at this price but disappointing at the price I paid
Unfortunately, I paid twice the www.Amazon.com price from a local store several years ago, and I must say it is one of the few kitchen appliances I have been disappointed with. It takes a long time to get all the knives honed to the angles of this sharpener. Then keeping them sharp seems to take a long time and they never seem to get as sharp as one would expect. The motor heats up quite easily after a few knives and begins to smell like it is overheating. I think the product has always been over-rated. I might buy it at this price but a simple non electric works just as well at less money.

Keeping your blades sharp with the Chef's Choice
After investigating knife steels, oil stones, water stones,
and various gadgets this sharpening device is truly a "Chef's Choice". It is easy to use, requiring only a light touch. It does a great job in sharpening your knives and does not take a long time. Another benefit is the price and better still the immediate savings when you buy the Chef's Choice 300W Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener from Amazon. This purchase will NOT CUT into your wallet !! My Henkels and Sabatiers have nice sharp honed edges. Now I think I need to buy a new cutting board..... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Perfect for making coffee, tea, soup, and hot chocolate athome, in the office, or in the dorm room, this 1,500-watt pot brings1-3/4 quarts of water to a boil more quickly than a stove or microwaveoven. It lifts off its power base for cordless pouring. Made of 18/10stainless steel with a matte-finish, black plastic lid, handle, andbottom, the handsome pot is polished to a mirror finish on the outsideand has a brushed-finish interior that's seamless for easy cleaning.For safety the pot shuts off automatically when water reaches boilingor if it boils dry, and the hinged lid opens only when a button on theroomy, stay-cool handle is pressed. A gauge displays the water leveland a light shows when the pot is operating. To prevent, say, tea bagsfrom plopping out, the lid's indentation at the pouring spout containssieve-holes. Measuring 6-1/4 inches in diameter and 8 inches high, thepot has a cord-wrap in the power base and carries a one-year warrantyagainst defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Shuts off automatically when water boils or pot becomes dry
• 1500-watt pot boils 1-3/4-quarts water faster than stove or microwave
• Perfect for making coffee, tea, soup, hot chocolate
• Lifts off power base for cordless pouring; gauge shows water level
• 18/10 stainless steel with mirror-finish exterior, brushed-finish interior

Reviews (12)

Nice design but 675 functionality needs much improvement
This is a review of the Chef's Choice 675 International Cordless Electric Hot Pot. Before I purchased it, I read the reviews here at amazon.com. Most of them sounded positive so I thought that this electric kettle would work out for me ...it was a good value. However, I didn't use it many times before the problems with this 675 electric kettle became apparent.

1) There is a "thumb" switch on the top of the handle that you have to press to make the spring-loaded plastic lid open so you can add water. When you press the lid down, the lid is supposed to "snap" and stay closed, flush to the top of the kettle. The lid on my 675 kettle didn't stay completely closed straight out of the box and the "gap" problem only got worse after each subsequent use.

2) The pot is supposed to auto switch off quickly after the water boils. The auto-shutoff sensor is in the plastic lid and works when the heat builds up. Unfortunately, the greater the gap between the lid and the top rim of the kettle, the longer it takes the auto-shutoff feature to work. If the plastic lid does not stay down, then the auto-shutoff feature will not work.

3) The spout is small and shallow so boiling water isn't directed into a narrow stream when pouring. Instead, unless one is very careful and pours very slowly, boiling water spills over either side of the shallow spout and could miss your cup and hit the counter or table or floor.

Plus: Looks great; stainless steel; large capacity, cordless; heating element in corded base; easy to clean; good location of on/off switch which glows orange when on.

Minus: Boiling water splashes while pouring unless you pour very slowly. Lid switch failed to keep lid completely shut then broke completely after only a few uses. Auto shutoff was progressively more delayed with every use. It didn't work as soon as water boiled, no doubt related to the plastic lid not staying completely shut, so leaving it unattended was a potential hazzard.

Final: I like the Chef's Choice brand of appliances but they need to improve on the design of this 675 kettle to make it more functional and dependable. I found out that my cousin has had a Chef's Choice International 685 Deluxe Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Teakettle for two years and has had no problems with it, even with heavy use. The 685 is a cute, cordless electric kettle in the classic teakettle shape with a stainless steel lid and body and a black plastic side handle. It has all the good features of the 675 but is more dependable so that's what I will buy next.

Disappointing!
Soon after receiving the 675, the spring that holds the lid in place was no longer working, and the lid popped up once the water came to a boil, causing the automatic shut-off to NOT SHUT OFF. I have since removed the spring. The automatic shut-off works now. The spout pours wider than a mug, causing dangerously hot spillage. I've just purchased a different brand and hope for better than this delivered.

At first good, but now bad
Really loved this at first - quick heating, and didn't have any of the spillage issues other people mentioned. Now, after 6 months, the auto shut-off no longer works. I don't have any warping of the cover - it is still flush with the top of the unit. But yet, it doesn't work. I've probably used this an average of once a week since receiving it. Very disappointing.

stoped working after a month
This thing stopped turning off after a boil, a month after I bought it. it's lid isn't really sealed so the vapors come out.
nice design - nothing more.

One pot can be so much fun
We bought this tea kettle because of the great reviews. Unfortunately we can't agree. It's cordless, looks cute and is from metal - so much for the second star. As mentioned in another review, the spout leaks water left and right, so when you pour yourself a cup of tea, boiling water spills past the cup on the table and potentially on your lap (ouch). You can circumvent this problem by opening the lid, but the button on the handle for this ceased to function right. Also, the lid sometimes falls off while cleaning and requires advanced technical skills to put back (at least my wife and my mother can't ever put it back once it falls off). But wait, this is not it: The plastic lid deformed over time, leaving a crack for steam to escape, which jeopardizes the automatic shut-off feature. Now the thing never shuts off unless you hold down the lid (which is stupid since you can as well just switch it off). I haven't tried what happens if you forget that it's on and leave the house for the day - and I don't want to find out. And as if that weren't enough trouble, it always shuts itself off about half a minute after switching it on. So I switch it on, go away, and when I come back, it's off and never boiled. When I switch on the second time though, it stays on, but, as mentioned earlier, stays on forever. No, I am not making this up - one pot really can be so much fun... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Edgecraft Chef's Choice electric food slicer incorporates many of the features found in commercial units. Constructed of heavy-duty, rugged aluminum and stainless steel with a powerful 130 watt condenser motor for efficient, smooth, and extremely quiet operation, this slicer has a fully hardened 7-inch solid surgical stainless-steel blade that works well with bread, meats, cheese, vegetables, and more. Its cantilevered design allows for large trays and platters and easy access for cleaning, while the food carriage retracts fully to permit slicing of extra-large roasts, hams, and other foods. It also includes a convenient serving tray. --Jane DePaolo ... Read more

Features

• Instant response on/off switch built into the food carriage for extra safety; one-year limited warranty
• Commercial quality, features precision thickness control and fully hardened 7-inch stainless steel blade
• Heavy duty rugged components, aluminum and stainless steel construction
• Powerful condenser motor provides smooth, extremely quiet gear drive operation
• Cantilevered design for large trays and easy cleaning

Reviews (4)

Excellent Machine
We've been using it now for about four months with out a problem. It works well on breads, meats and cheese. Contrary to the previous comment the unit is easy to clean and, in my opinion. (some people wash there hands 50 times a day too!) I would recommend this unit to all who wish a rugged and dependable product.

Model 640
I'm very pleased with this slicer. Shaves ham and slices bread. Cheddar cheese doesn't slow the motor down in the least. Nicely designed. Easy to clean, it takes less than 10 minutes to disassemble, wash and re-assemble. It fits on the kitchen counter and is good looking. Highly recommended.

So what's a little bacteria?
We were as disappointed on receiving this slicer as we were excited anticipating it. We've talked for years of getting a slicer. The other review (aluminum, stainless steel, easy to clean) convinced us this was the model for us of the many available at amazon(.com). Clearly, we have a different opinion on quality and what the price of this item should bring with it.

The prime reason we returned this slicer after inspecting it is that it is unreasonably difficult to clean and sanitize. The plastic trolley and plastic pusher come off and can be hand washed in mild soapy water (no dishwasher)...after which the trolley rail needs to be re-oiled using a brush to reach the proper surfaces.

BUT, the slicing guide (against which you push the food while slicing) is permanently attached to the unit. Cleaning this surface is not even discussed in the manual. How do you spell bacteria and food poisoning? Meat fats will not come off without soap/detergent - a simple wipe is not enough. So, perhaps repetitive sponge washes and rinses are intended. To sterilize? A bleach/water solution sponged on would do it. Easy? I don't think so.

Then we come to the blade. Either follow the same procedure to clean it - or remove it with a coin (and many rotations of the screw) to clean the back side as well. You'll then find the nylon gear attached to the blade's back that is covered with vasoline (the recommended lubricant). Sudsy water (again no dishwasher) will disolve this, so re-lube before reassembling - also putting vasoline on a (...) black plastic gasket that protects the motor (and looks like it wouldn't last many years).

There, wasn't that easy? Well, perhaps not that bad if you intend to only use this slicer once or twice a year. We roast all of our own meats and had planned on using the slicer once or twice a week to slice lunch meats and cheeses. My wife is a food safety expert, and no way were we going to use this without regular sanitizing...and that is way too much work given the design. Back to the old knife and cutting board, thick as those slices may be.

The main description of the product calls it 'rugged aluminum and stainless steel' - basically what we wanted to hear for a professional unit in this price range. The number of cheap plastic parts was a big disappointment. The description (and the box) refer to a 'beautiful serving tray' - (...): this is a little 4"x6" or so translucent plastic tray (...) The tray is superfluous, however, since the unit sits high enough to fit most any plate or tray under it.

So...we're back to searching for a decent slicer that is indeed rugged, stainless steel and aluminum with no plastic, and which disassembles to clean all surfaces in contact with food, preferably in a dishwasher.

Truly a Professional Food Slicer
If you've ever owned or tried a "home" food slicer, you know they don't really work that well. This one does.

When I first got it, I tried slicing several items -- Pepperoni, bulk cheese (Cojack) and two different kinds of bread --regular "store" bread and a artisan loaf. The pepperoni came out in perfect, exactly the same thickness slices. The thickness knob did not slip, and the blade cut cleanly. My Cojack was perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, and I got three even slices out of one slice of regular bread without tearing the bread! (That was a test to see what I could get away with). The artisan bread sliced perfectly for crostini. I sliced potatoes for potato chips, and they were all the same thickness,(actually, "thinness") and perfect for frying.

This aluminum and stainless steel German slicer is worth every penny you pay for it. The thickness adjustment knob stays where it's set, and the settings are repeatable, there's room under the blade for a large platter, the instant-on/off switch works perfectly, the motor is quiet and powerful, it's easy to clean and the slicer works exactly the way you always wanted a slicer to work--i.e., just like the one at the deli!

If you have the need, and room, for this rather large slicer, go for it! It's worth it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This widely praised electric sharpener is so simple to use thatknives practically sharpen themselves. It puts a professional-styleedge on any kitchen or sporting knife (except serrated knives). Becausemagnetic guides hold the blade at the proper angle, no guesswork isinvolved. You simply grip your knife loosely and pull it lightlythrough the sharpener's slots without pressing down. Key to this knifesharpener's performance are its three stages: presharpening toeliminate the old edge, sharpening to put on a new edge, and honing topolish the blade to a razor edge. These three stages create differentbevels, putting a "shoulder" on an edge instead of sharpening with asingle bevel. The shoulder strengthens the edge so it lasts longer. Foreach stage there is a pair of slots, and the sharpening and honingslots use 100 percent diamond abrasives for hardness. The sharpenermeasures 9 inches long, 4-1/4 inches high, and 3-3/4 inches deep andcarries a two-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 2-year warranty against defects
• Orbiting motion hones knives to true razor sharpness
• Three stages: presharpen, sharpen, hone for razor edge
• Magnetic guides hold blade at proper sharpening angle; no need to press down
• 100 percent diamond abrasives sharpen carbon and stainless-steel knives

Reviews (7)

If you have good knives and are clumsy, you need this!
I've been using the Chef's Choice for years now. I still use the one I bought in 1992 almost daily. My knives are still in wonderful shape and hold their edges beautifully.

The guesswork has been taken out of knife sharpening with this machine. I'm only so-so with a steel and in any case, a steel can't do the three stage sharpening that the Chef's Choice does. Since it holds the knife at the perfect angle for each step, it makes it easy for the fumble-fingered (like me) to create a perfect edge every time!

I'm buying one for my daughter now, mine is in perfect condition after more than 10 years and I imagine it will be for years to come yet!

I paid over 100 dollars for this very sharpener back then, which was a LOT of money at the time. They've come down so far in price that you haven't any excuse not to get one now!

Keep in mind the price and purpose of this product...
Considering the price and results of this product it is a bargain. Yes, it is not for the person who considers their knives collector items to impress friends or those who plan to use their knives for cutting paper thin slices of veggies for the microscope...but it does put a good edge on a commonly used knife and does so quickly and accurately. The suction feet really keep this in place. I recommend it to anyone who cares to have a good edge on a knife and does not care if there is a slight mark a 1/4" up...I saw this as well. If you want something much better for those expensive knives then go for the over $100 units here at amazon!

Excellent
This is a great machine. Takes a little time but is way better than the back of a can opener. The knives simply fall through tomatoes when they're done. I'm not an expert....but I love this system.

Best bang for your buck
I love it simple, easy, very useful

Not For Your REAL Knives
I've had one of these sharpeners for several years, and I have to echo another reviewer's comments: This tool is fine for average household knives, but if you know the difference between a sharp knife and a SHARP knife, you won't want to use this on your good cutlery.

I was raised by a knife afficianado, and learned knife sharpening the old-fashioned way (with natural and diamond stones, steels and careful technique). The results with this unit don't hold a candle to a knife sharpened the "right" way. As mentioned by others here, the edge left by the Chef's Choice is pretty rough when compared to a razor-sharp edge, although it IS useful for utility knives or re-setting the edge angles on an abused knife.

I've used this tool to good results "fixing" other peoples' knives -- you know the kind -- the ones that have been loose in the gadget drawer for 20 years, used for everything from hacking through frozen meat to tightening screws, and have never been sharpened. That said, I'd never let my Henckels, Wustofs, ot Forschners get close to this thing.

It's a fast way to repair abused knives and get things started towards sharpness, but by no means does it produce what I'd consider a "final" edge. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Sharpen your knives precisely to your own needs, just as professional chefs do. Edgecrafter's ultimate sharpening stone uses 100% diamond abrasives. To use, simply hold a knife at a 25-degree angle, and rub it in circles across the stone for a razor-sharp edge. The stone sharpens knives, chisels, and shop blades made of any material, including tungsten carbide, ceramic, stone, tool steel, and stainless steel. Diamonds don't wear, so no maintenance is required, and the surface will never become uneven. The stone has a precision hardwood cover and base with rubber feet for a secure hold. --Linda Dahlstrom ... Read more

Features

• Made in the United States
• 2-by-6-inch sharpening stone for knives
• 100% diamond crystals
• Sharpens without messy oils or lubricating liquids
• No maintenance required

Amazon.com Review

This home scissor sharpener adds a professional-level edge to a wide variety of scissors from household and sewing scissors, to kitchen shears, to fly-tying scissors without requiring the user to disassemble the blades. The freestanding ScissorPro features two sharpening slots, each containing a curved disc coated with diamond abrasives. One disc offers a fine grind to form a razor-sharp edge during the first stage of sharpening and the other a coarse grind to hone or sharpen at a wider angle and add the finishing touches. A patented construction of magnets and plastic springs that the manufacturer calls Magne-Flex technology align scissor blades in the guides at the correct angle and provide the right amount of pressure and stability for sharpening. Since diamonds are the only element strong enough to truly sharpen and hone a blade, this tool produces long-lasting results, even on double-beveled blades. Plus, the rotating motion of the discs ensures high-quality scissors won’t distemper. Included instructions teach how to properly move scissor blades through the slots for safe, optimum sharpening results. The ScissorPro sharpener plugs into any AC outlet, and is covered by a one-year limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Works on household, sewing, fly-tying scissors; kitchen shears
• Professional 2-step process sharpens scissors without requiring disassembly
• Diamond abrasives on conical disc sharpen and hone blades quickly and easily
• Patented Magna-Flex technology combines magnets and springs to control angle, apply correct pressure and stabilization
• Fine disc develops incredibly sharp edge; coarse disc reconditions damaged edges

Amazon.com Review

Diamond abrasives in this tool actually sharpen a knife rather than simply realign its edges, as most sharpeners and sharpening steels do. For right-handers and left-handers alike, it's simplicity itself to use. Grasp the handle and draw a straight-edge blade back and forth through the stage 1 guide 25 to 50 times to coarsely bevel it. Then move the blade to the stage 2 guide and draw back and forth 10 times through finer diamond crystals for the second, fine-edged bevel. Serrated blades go only through stage 2. By turning, rollers demonstrate that a blade is properly straight so it is being beveled at the precise angle required. Lightweight but tough, the sharpener is formed of silver and black plastic. It's 6-1/2 inches by 2-1/4 inches, small enough to take on a camping or hunting trip. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Precise, V-shaped guides eliminate mistakes
• Sharpens any straight-edge or serrated knife
• Works for kitchen, outdoor, and pocket knives
• Two-stage system double-bevels straight-edge blades for long-lived edges
• One-stage system straightens and sharpens serrated blades

Reviews (13)

Almost as good as it claims to be
I got one of these recently, and put it to the ultimate test. I have an old "mixed" set of knives, which were dull beyond the ability of using the honing steel. At the time I got this sharpener, I also got a Brand New set of Sabatier Commercial knives, which had been hand sharpened from the factory.

The test was could I get the old knives to be as sharp as the brand new ones. The answer, No I couldn't. In a sense, this is unfair, since the old knives (with the exception of a Wustoff paring knife) are of lower quality. Further, the sharpener did restore the older knives to a very respectable edge. My old Hoffritz Chef's knife, for example was sharp enough to cut through a piece of paper held in one hand (a test recommended in the manual)with little effort. (The Sabatier Knife did this effortlessly).

One hint -- the manual says that a reasonably sharp knife can be sharpened in 20 or so strokes, while a dull knife might take 50. This, in my view understates the process. While my old knives were very dull, it took a couple of minutes per knife to get a good edge on them.

Overall, I recommend this product, for all but the best knives. I will probably have my Sabatier knives professionally sharpened, but will certainly use this for my second set of knives.

decent sharperner, but not perfect
Maybe this sharpener isn't as foolproof as I'd like it, and I admit readily to having two left hands, but my knives didn't come out razor-sharp, at all. They come out sharper, that's a fact, but I wanted more. Maybe my knives (a Japanese chef's knife, a Spyderco with half-serrated blade, a Herbertz with a 440 blade) were too dull to begin with.

The tool itself is nicely constructed. Even though it's made of really light plastic it's stable enough, and easy to work with.

But I wonder about the two rollers that supposedly guide your knife. After sharpening, it was pretty obvious that the blade was sharpened unevenly (certainly those of my pocketknives). The rollers, of course, are fixed, and thus don't allow for varying thicknesses. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong (although I'm following instructions to a T), and I'll keep trying, but so far I'm not wildly enthusiastic about this tool.

Not satisfactory
I found this product very unsatisfactory. After 20 minutes of working with a Chicago Cutlery knife, some edge was produced but still not as sharp as factory edged. This product might be alright to throw in a camping box to be used where there is no electricity, but certainly no more than that.

Not as Easy as I'd Hoped
I'm hopeless at knife sharpening, so I was shopping for something idiot-proof. I decided to go with the model 460 because it can sharpen serrated knives. Although the logistics of this didn't make a lot of sense to me, I went with it on the general principle that more features must be better.

Now that I have it in hand, though, I'm fairly certain I will never use the serrated feature. So I'm left worrying--what's the difference with this model? If I'm only going to do straight blades, would I be better off with the 450? Does this model compromise in some way to accommodate both types of blades?

Even for straight blades, it's not as easy to use as I expected. I thought it would be a simple matter of drawing the blade smoothly through the slot a few times. In practice, though, the blade catches and doesn't pull smoothly at all (although it did get better after many passes--you should definitely practice with a cheap knife before working on the good stuff). It's also difficult to keep the blade in the proper position. Or, I THINK it's difficult--according to the instructions, when everything is working right the little wheels will turn as you pull the blade through. At best I get one to turn at once, and even then it's usually stop and start. The instructions are hazy on whether this is a problem.

Actually, the instructions (and the company website) are hazy on a lot of things that seem like pretty reasonable questions. For instance, it says stage 1 and stage 2 sharpen at different angles, but nothing tells you WHAT angle, or says anything substantive the "arch-shaped" edge it creates. I'm left wondering if that's something I really want--it just seems to create a "fat" rather than razor edge, sacrificing maximum sharpness for durability.

It says that very dull knives may take many strokes in stage 1, but doesn't tell you how to know when it's ready for stage 2, other than it will be "sharp enough to cut through the skin of a tomato." I should keep tomatoes on hand for this?

Finally, the curved tip of the blade is extremely difficult to sharpen. At that point the rollers are no longer useful as a guide. The instructions offer no hints on how to deal with this.

It's definitely not the easy solution I was hoping for, and I still have a lot of questions about it. But, if you're not going to put in the time and effort to learn to use a whetstone properly (and I already know how much damage I can do with one of those), I'd say it's the best option.

Fails the test of time
When I first got this sharpener I was pleased with the results, but not impressed. It didn't give a razor edge. I know that there's a compromise between sharpness and a long-lasting edge so maybe my expectations are what's at fault. After having used the unit for about 6 months, however, I'm even less impressed than before. It seems to take longer and longer to get a knife to even acceptable sharpness.

I'm back to looking for a good sharpener. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Deep-pocketed Belgian waffles cook in 90 seconds or less with this 1100-watt WafflePro from Chef’s Choice. The waffle maker’s unique Quad Baking System allows a choice of texture, color, aroma, and flavor for each individual waffle. No longer just a breakfast treat with maple syrup, waffles on the crisp side make a perfect dessert when paired with ice cream, while kids love moist brownie waffles for an after-school snack. Recipes are included in the user guide.

A rocker switch lets you choose between a faster baked waffle with a crisp exterior, moist interior, and heady aroma, or one cooked more slowly with a uniform texture throughout. The color control dial offers individual preference ranging from light golden brown to dark brown. Each 6-1/2-inch round waffle is quartered, allowing it to be divided easily between hungry kids or served as wedge-shape ‘cookies.’ The WafflePro also features nonstick plates and an overflow channel that wipe clean, a floating hinge to maintain even baking over varying thicknesses, and a beeper that sounds five times when cooking is done. Green and red baking lights make the whole procedure a snap. The cord wraps neatly underneath and the maker stands upright for compact storage. The waffle maker measures 8-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 3 inches and comes with a one-year warranty. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Measures 8-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 3 inches; 1-year warranty
• Belgian waffle maker cooks in less than 90 seconds
• Quad Baking System selects fast or deep bake, texture, and color
• Floating hinge maintains thickness; beeps when done
• Overflow channel wipes clean; stores upright

Product Description

Put down the sharpening steel and reach for this SteelPro kni