Chef's Choice 130 Professional Knife-Sharpening Station, Platinum
by Chef's Choice
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List Price: Our Price: $159.95 You Save: $50.05 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $140.95 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Chef's Choice 130 Professional Knife-Sharpening Station, Platinum
Customer Review: Finally, a knife sharpener that meets my expectations
Summary: 5 Stars
I've purchased a number of manual knife sharpeners over the years. None of them have really met my expectations.
Specifically, I recently purchased two of the manual sharpeners rated highly by Cooking Illustrated: the ANOLON Universal Sharpener, and the Messermeister Chantry Sharpener. They simply don't compare to the Chef's Choice sharpener, which is Cooking Illustrated's highest rated power sharpener.
I wish I had simply purchased this sharpener first. Not only does it sharpen a knife to factory, hair-shaving sharpness, but it doesn't damage the sides of the blades like some manual sharpeners do after repeated strokes. The bottom line is that it leaves you with a knife that could easily pass as brand new.
Note that there are three sections to this sharpener:
1) Course powered sharpener
2) Non-powered steel
3) Fine-grain powered sharpener
All three sections have blade guides that hold the blade at just the right angle. Section 2 is not powered at all: it's just a steel, but it steels the blade at just the right angle.
To sharpen a knife, generally you are suppose to use section 1 followed by 2, which results in a very well steeled blade with a little "bite" which is most suitable for cutting course food, OR you are suppose to use section 1 followed by 3, which results in a hair-shaving sharp blade suitable for cutting ripe tomatoes.
You can also resharpen a knife using just section 3, which is effortless and takes just a few seconds.
I was skeptical of going electric at first, but now I'm glad I finally did.
Customer Review: Good but not great
Summary: 3 Stars
As a user of Chef's Choice model 110 and 120 for over ten years I had greatly anticipated the release of this new model.Unfortunately some poor design choices prevent me from fully recomending this product.The older M120 provided 3 stages and created a triple bevel edge.The new M130 can create at best two bevels and only one if you use the sharpening steel.The first stage creates a single edge that can then be steeled with the second stage.If the third polishing stage is used the steeled edge is ground away.That being said the number of bevels is secondary to sharpness of the blade.In comparing the sharpness of the two machines they are very similar with the new 130 seeming slightly sharper.The major issue with the machine is the need to have it out on the counter at all times.The whole point of a sharping steel is to hone your knives each time you use them in order to maintain an edge.This means you need to lug out the box every time you cook, or to have it out on the counter taking up space.If you are model 120 owner looking to the M130 as an upgrade you are much better off buying the Chef's Choice 470 SteelPro.That way you only need to have the larger machine out for major sharpening and can quickly grab the small steel for honing.You'll also notice the M470 has two steeling rods versus the M130's one rod.
I would like to add one note of warning to anyone new to the Chef's Choice line.If you have a collection of knives with heavy bolster heels, know that Chef's Choice models have problems with sharpening all the way to the base due to the heel not fitting into the sharpener.Most Japenese(Shun,Global,MAC, etc) knives aren't effected since the blade extends the full lenght of the knife.Many European(Wusthof,Henckels,Sabatier) knives have the heavy metal heel, and will over years of sharpening develop a gap as the metal from the blade is ground down and the bolster remains.meaning the base of the knife will no longer be flush with your cutting board from the heel extending below it.
Customer Review: Good but not great
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a culinary school grad and work in a busy kitchen, I appreciate a good sharp knife and the M130 just wasn't filling that need. The M130 is pretty goof proof, and did sharpen a couple of my less expensive home knives but fell short of "hair splitting" and "better than factory" sharpness as they put it. I read the directions and proceeded carefully, building the noticable burr, then stropping. I then wiped the blade and took it to a ripe tomato, MY test of how sharp a knife really is, and it failed miserably. After a few manual strokes on my home steel the knife was sharp and ready for action. I returned the M130 and will purchase a Norton tri-stone instead, I've used them in the past and I know it will do what I'm looking for. I would recommend the M130 for home cooks who want a good sharpener but don't need razor sharp knives. For those who need seriously sharp knives I would recommend the tri-stone, a good steel from a restaurant supply store, and a little practice.Customer Review: Good knife sharpener
Summary: 4 Stars
I have used this sharpener on various sorts of knives from paring to chef's to Santoku. It gave each of the knives a serviceable edge and was easy to use. It did not quite give the razor sharp edge I was hoping for (though I don't know if that is possible), but it was good enough.Customer Review: Great Knife Sharpener
Summary: 5 Stars
First learned of this on "America's Test Kitchen" TV show. We have used this for about 9 months and sharpen knives about once a month, sometimes more often, sometimes less depending on how often a knife is used. It is easy to use and does a great job-much better than hand-held sharpeners. Definitely on our "recommended" list.