Chef's Choice 130 Sharpens Both Fine Edge and Serrated Blades, 3-Stage, Silver

When initially purchased, the cost did seem expensive. I was always looking back at reviews to make sure I had read the ones pertaining to this particular model and could justify the amount spent, even before it arrived (which was only a few days). However, after multiple uses on a variety of old, new and various types of knives, this machine has easily paid for itself. No more lugging all our knives to the specialty shop. Within a few minutes our knives can be sharpened with an edge that cuts better than when they were new (do not test this new edge capability with your finger, unless you no longer wish to play the banjo). I thought I had ruined some knives when I tried to stone and steel them by hand. After pulling them through the Chef's Choice 130 and thus restoring the edges, I realized I had given those very knives a premature burial into the bottom drawer. One knife had been my grandmother's favorite chicken de-boning blade and finally I could use it while cherishing fond memories of being with her at the family farm. Perhaps a storage cover would make this a better buy for some, especially if stored on the counter. Having limited counter space and wanting to keep that space from looking like an appliance second-hand store, I find the sharpener easily accessible from its home in the drawer where some born-again knives used to live. As stated by others, read and re-read the manual before using (only because my first read is sometimes just a skimming of the pictures). Not only to know exactly how to use your new machine but to learn more about what constitutes a good sharpened knife and the proper sharpening maintenance requirements. Gee, that seemed like a long review and perhaps too much information. Just imagine what I might have written had I not liked our Chef's Choice 130.

I've looked at this sharpener for a long time and finally took the plunge. It was a great decision. Knives are revived and ready for serious prep work! The only downside is instructions are a little difficult to follow and the reason for the 4 star review. Otherwise, would be a "5"!

Very hard to use. Did not seem to work actually seems to make knives duller.

Sharpening with this machine is very easy and very fast, and the results are outstanding. If you care about keeping your knives sharp, and don't mind the high price tag, this machine is for you. It's a great piece of machinery, and I would recommend it without hesitation. You will be very happy with this choice.UPDATE 2/23/15: Initially I gave this 5 stars. After using it for awhile, and particularly after comparing it with the sharpness of a stone, I must say that I'm rather disappointed. Yes, it's easy to use, and it sharpens the knife reasonably well, but it's not outstanding. Hardly. It gets my Shun knife just sharp but not amazingly sharp. When my friend sharpened this knife on her stone, I was able to cut a single sheet of paper while holding it in the air. There's no way I can get a result even close to that on this machine.Bottom line: good, probably better than all the standard sharpeners, but not outstanding. A good ol' stone is still far superior.

Both Western and Asian Blades?How is this possible? It would be cool if it was - but the standard angle for Western styles knives is ~22 (20-25 degrees) and Asian styles knives are either a one sided bevel (older method) or around 15-17 degrees on the newer knives.Does this machine allow you to select the angle or does it just claim it can do both and ends up putting on an angle that Chef's Choice has decided is "universal"?

I did a lot of research before finally purchasing the Chef's Choice 130 Professional Sharpening Station in Brushed Metal (to match our kitchen's Stainless steel appliances). It arrived as promised with no problems and I was not disappointed in how well and easily it sharpens any knife. We had a drawer full of dull knives and before its arrival I truly LOATHED the tedium and time consuming process of hand sharpening a knife. After reading the enclosed instruction manual, I sat down and began the task of sharpening each knife in the house. The blades slide fairly effortlessly through the honing slots to produce a shave-able edge. Once stropped, the edge is razor like. It sharpened every knife regardless of its quality. The steel slot works great for serrated knives. It also has a way to re-dress the honing wheels at some point in the future and a magnetized plug on the bottom of the unit to clean out the metal particles that may collect inside the bottom of the sharpener. No more hand sharpening for me!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING IT!!

After deeply cutting my finger while slicing an onion with a dull kitchen knife, I decided I'd had enough. With my ill adult son living with us and requiring quality nutrition, I am preparing most meals with fresh ingredients. Rather than purchase an expensive set of kitchen knives that would require periodic sharpening anyway, I chose this sharpener. I am very pleased with its performance. A few quick flicks of a clean knife on Stage 3 and I'm good to go. The brushed metal case is very attractive; however, I agree with a previous reviewer in that I would like a dust cover option.

This review is short. This product works great! I bought it on Cooks Illustrated advice. The instruction manual alone is worth the price of admission. It explains knife sharpening in exact detail without being wordy. It reminded me of miltary instruction. Exact, economical and correct. I couldn't believe the edge of a sharp knife actually folds over, but I followed the instructions exactly and actually could feel the fold. Polished it just as instructed. Knives I've literally had for 20 years that I've sharpened sort of with a whetstone, well, they slice paper now.And the built-in dressing stone (the middle station) is fantastic. Chef Ramsey might be able to whip an edge back into alignment by hand, but I've been amazed that a slightly dull knife dressed a few times really must be straightening the edge because the knife goes back to razor sharp performance.Pricey, but every time you cut something, you go oooooh yeah baby.