The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on September 12, 2009, 03:35:51 PM
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OK Guys. I , as they say, "Bit The Big One", and got sick and tired of both seeing my wife toiling in the kitchen with dull knives I just couldn't keep up with sharpening, and seeing the knives in my own collection going dull faster than I can keep up with them, Melanie said after watching me sweat just trying to get a basic edge on a hunting knife I just bought said, "Enough Is Enough!" So being an obedient, good, obeying, husband I bought this after much researching:
http://www.selectappliance.com/exec/ce-product/cf_m2100
It was the best sharpener, at the best price I could find. I like the 3 stage sharpening system, and the fact it will strop serrated knives. A lot of coin to be sure, and in this economy it is a purchase many will want to review. In my case it was just a simple aspect of having too many knives, and no way to keep them sharp to the degree we would like without a purchase of this magnitude. This company offers many sharpeners at a lesser cost for the person who just wishes to eliminate the drudgery of sitting and running a blade over stone and leather, like I've done for so many years. I'll report on it's results as soon as it is delivered. (Should be in a few weeks). Bill T.
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Damn. :o ;) ;D
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Free shipping!
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That's more than my house payment!
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If you want to make some of that money back, let me know, and I'll send you a couple knives I hate to sharpen...
Just let me know how much? 8)
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Waiting for further info Bill. ;D
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I hate sharpening knives...............mostly because I suck at it.
I think my F-I-L has that. We always give him our kitchen knives to run through his sharpener. Then it takes my wife about 2 minutes to make them dull again. ::)
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I hate sharpening knives...............mostly because I suck at it.
I think my F-I-L has that. We always give him our kitchen knives to run through his sharpener. Then it takes my wife about 2 minutes to make them dull again. ::)
Tell me about it! It's the same way at our place. I don't mind sharpening a quality knife, but it seems even the high dollar knives at our house get dull way more than they should. I guess I just had enough, or better yet, she has! Melanie is time conscious. Before we had our house painted she watched the painters prep the house by pressure washing it. She told me , "We need to get one of those!" Talking about the 8 HP Honda powered Pressure Washer he was using. It's on the "to buy" list, but she insisted the knife sharpener was a more important priority. I didn't argue because I would rather sharpen knives than wash houses. ;D Bill T.
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Tell me about it! It's the same way at our place. I don't mind sharpening a quality knife, but it seems even the high dollar knives at our house get dull way more than they should. I guess I just had enough, or better yet, she has! Melanie is time conscious. Before we had our house painted she watched the painters prep the house by pressure washing it. She told me , "We need to get one of those!" Talking about the 8 HP Honda powered Pressure Washer he was using. It's on the "to buy" list, but she insisted the knife sharpener was a more important priority. I didn't argue because I would rather sharpen knives than wash houses. ;D Bill T.
Be careful with that pressure washer, it will take off paint and even eat through the siding if it's wood.
Don't ask ;D
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I used to hate sharpening knives until I found the right sharpener(and it wasn't the price of a small car).
My wife can dull a knife right up there with the best of them. All it takes is cutting on a plate or dish instead of using a cutting board.
Now, if I have to use a knife, I automatically grab the little sharpener and with about 4 stokes it has a razer sharp edge on it.
Good luck with your new one.
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I used to hate sharpening knives until I found the right sharpener(and it wasn't the price of a small car).
My wife can dull a knife right up there with the best of them. All it takes is cutting on a plate or dish instead of using a cutting board.
Now, if I have to use a knife, I automatically grab the little sharpener and with about 4 stokes it has a razer sharp edge on it.
Good luck with your new one.
Caught the GF using the tip of an $80 Wusthoff knife to open a jar one time! >:( >:( :o ??? ::)
Bill, helluva wife you got there - insisting on a power washer? Damn, I gotta tell you! ;D ;D
I use this sharpener - only $20 and gives me an edge in 2-3 strops on each wheel set - brown one first, then the white one, both some sort of ceramic. I need a workable edge, ain't gonna check it through the microscope. My son - the knife fan - raved over the one I sent him. He has one of those diamond sharpeners that takes 5 minutes just to set up, prefers this one now.
Mcgowan Firestone 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31a4YEUVdrL._SS500_.jpg)
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http://edgeproinc.com/
I have the Pro version.......nothing else comes close to this machine.
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I use a diamond "stone" Medium grade, works quick if you keep up with them, Takes longer if you let it get to the point where it's a club. ;D
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I use a diamond "stone" Medium grade, works quick if you keep up with them, Takes longer if you let it get to the point where it's a club. ;D
That's why I have gotten into the habit of giving it a few strokes each time I use it. That way you never really have to work to bring back the edge.
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT KNIVES SO NO WISE CRACKS TOM.
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That's why I have gotten into the habit of giving it a few strokes each time I use it. That way you never really have to work to bring back the edge.
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT KNIVES SO NO WISE CRACKS TOM.
WOW, you catch on a LOT quicker than some others ::)
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WOW, you catch on a LOT quicker than some others ::)
Guess his brain is not on recess, eh?
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WOW, you catch on a LOT quicker than some others ::)
Hey Tom,
My parents didn't start out as cousins.............
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Hey Tom,
My parents didn't start out as cousins.............
That's either a friendly dis or an opening...depends on how you look at it. :o
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I always liked "I may have been born at night, but it wasn't LAST night" ;D
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That's either a friendly dis or an opening...depends on how you look at it. :o
I would never dis Tom.
Hey this is my 100th post....................
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I always liked "I may have been born at night, but it wasn't LAST night" ;D
Just as long as conception did not occur concurrent to Haz and his hearsescapades all is well with all on the board.
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I would never dis Tom.
Hey this is my 100th post....................
Congrats on the 100th post....no so much on the failure to dis. ;)
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Congrats on the 100th post....no so much on the failure to dis. ;)
I'm a Mainer and I would never dis someone from across the border.
The next state down I95 or Route 1 is another story..........
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He can't offend me, as bad as Carol Shea Porter is, at least she isn't Olympia Snowe ::)
Actually, Us REAL Yankee's need to stick together, there were never that many of us. ;D
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This is turning out to be an interesting thread for sure! I'll keep all of you posted on how this commercial sharpener works out. I should point out I'm looking for speed here, and or the most painstakingly way. It simply should deliver the best results, PERIOD! for that price. As I said, I will report the results either way. Most of you know me well enough to know if it "sucks", I will say just that. Pros's and con's, either way you will get the truth, and nothing but. Bill T.
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On Amazon, I read throgh the reviews for the 130 model. Mostly positive. I can't sharpen a knife worth a hoot. It's to the point that mine are clubs. Looking forward to your report.
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Free shipping!
That says it all!
(http://www.smileyx.com/smilies/2erOBh1.gif)
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I can't sharpen a knife worth a hoot. It's to the point that mine are clubs. Looking forward to your report.
I'm much the same. I can get them sharp, but it just takes way too long, and I get impatient. I really get bored trying to keep kitchen cutlery sharp, and I hate to see my wife struggling with dull knives and cleavers. Hopefully this will put and end to all of it. Bill T.
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For anyone who might be thinking of investing in a quality knife sharpener, be sure to do plenty of shopping around once you settle on a make and model. Prices vary drastically on these things, depending on who you by them from. For example, the exact same sharpener I ordered for $449.95 from Select Appliance is $599.00 at the Food Network Store.
http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/p-631822-0-_Chefs-Choice-Diamond-Hone-Commercial-Knife-Sharpener.aspx?Ntt=knife
Someone has to help pay Rachel Ray's salary. It ain't gonna be me! Bill T.
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For anyone who might be thinking of investing in a quality knife sharpener, be sure to do plenty of shopping around once you settle on a make and model. Prices vary drastically on these things, depending on who you by them from. For example, the exact same sharpener I ordered for $449.95 from Select Appliance is $599.00 at the Food Network Store.
http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/p-631822-0-_Chefs-Choice-Diamond-Hone-Commercial-Knife-Sharpener.aspx?Ntt=knife
Someone has to help pay Rachel Ray's salary. It ain't gonna be me! Bill T.
Holy $hit bill.........for $449.95 to sharpen knives? It better do a lot more than sharpen knives. Free shipping? Geezus it better make Hazaritas or something.
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Holy $hit bill.........for $449.95 to sharpen knives? It better do a lot more than sharpen knives. Free shipping? Geezus it better make Hazaritas or something.
Or at least gold plate it.......hell, I still use a rock for regular knives and a steel for kitchen knife touch-ups.............. ;D ;D ;D
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Remember, these sharpeners use a diamond wheel. Industrial diamond wheels are very expensive, especially if they have a high diamond concentration, which this no doubt has being it's a commercial model. These diamond wheels from Norton typically run in the $300.00 to $400.00 range, especially if they are of 100% concentration. Also, these only have a 1/8" depth of diamond.
http://www.nolansupply.com/bysubcategory.asp?category=Abrasives&supercategory=Diamond+and+CBN+Wheels&subcategory=Norton+Diamond+Wheels+-+Type+1A1+Resin+Bond+1%2F8%22+Depth+of+Diamond%26nbsp%3B&type=False&specs=True
You cannot compare these to the $30.00 "diamond hones" that Cabela's sells to sharpen knives with. They have very little diamond concentration, and the resin binders used are very weak in comparison. Like anything else quality costs money. It takes a lot of time and effort to put an edge on a knife with a stone. And even if you buy quality cutlery, they dull fast in everyday use, requiring sharpening on and almost constant basis.
And I'm forgetting the most important reason of all. This is a piece of equipment the wife can run! That in itself makes it worth every cent! It becomes one less thing I have to do around this place. Money spent to lessen a mans responsibility around the house, is money well spent! Bill T.
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And on top of all that it has a - Chrome Finish!
;D
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I'm asking for one of these for Christmas.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vUdwy5TWqA&feature=player_embedded
http://www.worksharptools.com/product.asp?specific=139
Not something the wife can use, but it will take care of my knifes as well as everything else.
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I'm asking for one of these for Christmas.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vUdwy5TWqA&feature=player_embedded
http://www.worksharptools.com/product.asp?specific=139
Not something the wife can use, but it will take care of my knifes as well as everything else.
Like it and the price!
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4 pages, and all he did was ORDER it.
I can't wait till he actually gets it and posts a review. ;D
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4 pages, and all he did was ORDER it.
I can't wait till he actually gets it and posts a review. ;D
LOL - thank you Tom, I was thinking the same thing.
Can we ramble on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on
or what?
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The really amazing thing is we are still more or less on topic ;D
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I have purchased several knife sharpeners but never one for over $100 let alone $450. But if it works, let me know cause I cannot keep a knife sharp at all. I hate it when I am watching my deer be deboned and the butcher just runs the knife over his sharpener a couple of times and slices and dices. But he does buy very good knives.
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Me? I like high carbon knives for the kitchen. Gotta hand wash or they rust and if they are real dull take a bit to sharpen BUT if ya hone em before/after/during use they stay sharp. I have a set from 30 years ago that I paid all of 40.00 for and I love 'em.
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Me? I like high carbon knives for the kitchen. Gotta hand wash or they rust and if they are real dull take a bit to sharpen BUT if ya hone em before/after/during use they stay sharp. I have a set from 30 years ago that I paid all of 40.00 for and I love 'em.
+1
I bought a set of Henckel Twin Pro S high carbon knives six or seven years ago, sharpen them regularly and probably won't ever need another set. Nothing more dangerous than a dull knife...Started with three and every year I add another style to fill the block. Right now, I need one more knife and a set of steak knives to completely fill the block. Probably going for a boning knife that will double as a fillet knife. All told, probably got 500-600 bucks invested but that was all at sale prices or through Amazon. I don't pay retail for anything...
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+1
I bought a set of Henckel Twin Pro S high carbon knives six or seven years ago, sharpen them regularly and probably won't ever need another set. Nothing more dangerous than a dull knife...Started with three and every year I add another style to fill the block. Right now, I need one more knife and a set of steak knives to completely fill the block. Probably going for a boning knife that will double as a fillet knife. All told, probably got 500-600 bucks invested but that was all at sale prices or through Amazon. I don't pay retail for anything...
Yeah, I need a good boning knife, too! No more than six inches long, tough but flexible (all for around $20.00! ;) )
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Yeah, I need a good boning knife, too! No more than six inches long, tough but flexible (all for around $20.00! ;) )
May I suggest the following:
Forschner 6" Boning Knife (#40513) ~$21.90
https://alpha.secured-websites.net/~emknife/BoningKnives.htm
I have used this one for several years, and along with an 8" chef's knife from the same company, these knives kick ass in the kitchen.
Bill,
I have the Chef's Choice 110 and I like its performance. I don't think you'll go wrong with yours either.....
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May I suggest the following:
Forschner 6" Boning Knife (#40513) ~$21.90
https://alpha.secured-websites.net/~emknife/BoningKnives.htm
I have used this one for several years, and along with an 8" chef's knife from the same company, these knives kick ass in the kitchen.
Bill,
I have the Chef's Choice 110 and I like its performance. I don't think you'll go wrong with yours either.....
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WOW! Good looking stuff! Maybe the 40519? Have any idea how flexie the 'semi-flexie' is?
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WOW! Good looking stuff! Maybe the 40519? Have any idea how flexie the 'semi-flexie' is?
As flexible as a semi.
;D
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WOW! Good looking stuff! Maybe the 40519? Have any idea how flexie the 'semi-flexie' is?
I'm not sure about that one but mine is flexible without being too flexible; there is some stiffness.
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I'm not sure about that one but mine is flexible without being too flexible; there is some stiffness.
How far can you bend it? Measured (guesstimate) from the tip. (Hold and bend how far?)
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Over the years I've learned a few things about knives. Good ones are great, but if you have to make a choice put your money on a good sharpener. When properly sharpened even all but the junk knives will work well. My EdgePro system is drastic overkill, but I've never regretted it. The key is getting the angle right and keeping it that way. Most sharpeners just can't do it. Few can do it well enough freehand.
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LOL - thank you Tom, I was thinking the same thing.
Can we ramble on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on
or what?
I seem to remember a very long thread about COFFEE.......... ;) ;D
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How far can you bend it? Measured (guesstimate) from the tip. (Hold and bend how far?)
Pressing vertically on the tip of the blade, I get about one inch at the top of the arc off the centerline of the blade. Keep in mind this is unsupported against any kind of bone or meat, which might allow me to bend it more. I never have to bend it that much anyway. I hope this helps!
What I won't do for my mates on this forum..... ::) ;D
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FA<
THANKS! 1" deflection in a 5" blade is substantial in my book! It makes me think that the 6" semi flex will be very good.
Yes, you went above and beyond! ;D
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OK guys. Just to let you know this thing has been shipped, and according to the UPS tracking number, is on time and on schedule, and is scheduled to be delivered Thursday. I was starting to get a little concerned because they charged my card several days ago. So hopefully by the weekend I'll have something to report, good or bad. Thus far Select Appliance gets a thumbs up in regards to stock and shipping in a timely fashion. Bill T.
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As a knife collector, sharpening knives has always been a issue. I've bought many sharpeners over the years and am not 100% happy with any of them. I currently use a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker 204 for daily quick sharpening, and an EdgePro when I want to take the time for a popping sharp edge. I have a Chef Choice 120, but only use it for blades I don't care about scratching.
At the PKA show this year I saw the new (Blade Show winning) Wicked Edge. It works much like the EdgePro, but since the blade is positioned edge up, you're able to sharpen both edges at the same time. If I didn't already own an EdgePro, I would buy a Wicked Edge. Don't expect this to be a quick sharpening, but expect it to be a GOOD sharpening.
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I just finished a thorough testing of this unit, and I'm happy to report, This Thing Is Worth It's Weight In Gold! I was really worried because in the immortal words of Forrest Gump, "You never know what you're going to get." I'll try and do this as objectively, and as simply as I can, while remaining the most concise. I will give a rating from 1 to 10 as I go along putting the rating in parenthesis for each category, starting from the very beginning.
Packaging & Shipping:
When the unit came via UPS yesterday I was concerned about it getting here unscathed. The unit couldn't have been packaged better. It came in a tight fitting, heavy corrugated box, encased in 2 molded halves of Styrofoam. The powered unit, and the sharpening unit were packaged separately with all manuals and paperwork poly bagged neatly underneath. This thing could have been dropped kicked by an NFL place kicker without any damage. Packaging and shipping (10)
Overall impressions:
Upon examining the unit it is very impressive. The weight is heavy. Around 8 to 10 pounds. No doubt from the heavy duty 175 watt motor and fan cooling assembly housed within the power unit itself. The sharpener unit is packaged in a separate box, and simply slides into place on the power unit, and snaps into place with a spline coupling connecting the two for a driving assembly. The power cord itself is very heavy gauge with an outside O.D. measuring a little under (.312), 5/16's thick. The power switch is a rocker type on the front of the unit with a red indicator light that is on when the unit itself is on. The unit is quieter than I expected for such a high output motor. (10)
Actual Sharpening Results:
In this review I sharpened a total of 26 knives of various length, thicknesses, and edge designs. Anything and everything from long bread and filleting knives, to cleavers and wide butcher type knives. Here I can say the unit is simply superb! It is very simple and straightforward to use. The sharpener itself has 3 sharpening "cells", marked 1, 2, and 3. For new knives that the unit has never seen, you start out at #1. This is the roughest Diamond wheel, and shapes the blade. It takes about 4 or 5 alternate pulls through each side to "rough in" the edge. This is done effortlessly, and so simply a child could do it. Once a sharp burr is felt, (be careful when you feel it!), you move over to "cell" 2. This is simply a much finer Diamond wheel that finely grinds the edge, and establishes a second angle bevel to the edge itself. Again 4 or 5 pulls through on each side for a "new" knife should do it. By now the knife is VERY SHARP! Now all that is left to do is to move to the right one more "cell" to station 3. This is the stropping "cell" that polishes the blade, removes the burr, and polishes the edge to an almost razor sharpness. Without trying to sound like a salesman, it's as easy as one, two, three. For overall operational easiness I must go with a (9)
Cleanup, And Overall Maintenance:
This simply could not be any easier. If you really make a mess of things you simply pop off the sharpening unit, place it into the dishwasher top down away from any drying heat source, hit the button and that's it. I started out with very clean knives so I simply removed the sharpening unit, blew everything out with compressed air, and I was good to go. One thing I did that works out well if you are new to these type of sharpeners is to use a black Magic Marker to darken the cutting edge so you can see where you've been, and how much more you have to go. Otherwise you may find yourself removing more material than necessary. There is nothing to oil or lubricate on the entire unit. Clean, reassemble, and you're ready for the next batch of dull knives. (10)
Disadvantages:
There is only one and that is knife thickness. This unit would not take my thicker hunting knives. They simply don't have the room in the guide to accommodate them. I expected this from reading the over all profile of the unit. But I still was disappointed I couldn't run my heavy blades, like say an M-9 Bayonet through them. But this is a cutlery sharpener, not a lumberjack tool. Still, it would have been nice to provide and adjustment tool to allow for these type of sportsman knives. For the price of this unit, I don't think it would be unreasonable to include this within the design parameters of the unit. (5)
Synopsis:
This is an expensive, well made unit that because of it's design and cost is not intended for the average household. It is made for commercial businesses that are required to sharpen dozens of knives per day, and or shift. In this area I have to say the unit performs exactly as advertised. If I owned and operated a restaurant, I would purchase this unit unhesitatingly. But for the average household it is a bit of overkill. I say this as a compliment to the unit, not a detraction. The average household could get by on a lesser purchase from the same company. I wanted the ability to strop serrated knives, which this unit will in fact do. The other units won't accomplish that because they do not have the "stropping cell".
In closing I'm satisfied with the unit. It's quality, and performance all fall into the proper category in relation to cost. I'm happy with the purchase. With that said it is most definitely one of those tools you simply hold your breath, take the plunge, and spend the money. Not an easy choice in todays rancid economy. But if you're looking for a quality knife sharpener that does what it says, as fast as it says, this is your unit. In comparison to stoning by hand it is the equivalent to biking to work as opposed to driving there in a Z-06 Corvette! OVERALL RATING........ (8.5) Bill T.
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Thanks for that exhaustive report, Bill.
Glad it turned out well for you.........now, I'm sending you my knives. ;)
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Great review Bill.