Professional Kitchen Electric Knife Sharpener

Works quite well, but there is a learning curve. If your knives are not already sharpened to a 17-degree edge, you will need to use the "Shaping" mode a few times. It takes practice to ensure that you insert the knife aligned with the guide and keep it in position as you draw back the knife. Unlike a Chef's Choice, where you have magnets to help, you must manually keep the knife against the guide. You have to take care with the knife tip on a pointed or curved knife because the guide does not extend far or low enough. However, with some practice, you get the hang of guiding the tip through. Hint: keep an eye on the edge's contact with the belt.

The results are pretty good. So far, the knives are not sharp enough to shave but close and plenty sharp for kitchen use. I may get better results with more practice, but I do not need razor sharp in the kitchen. "Not quite razor sharp" is so much better than "dull." The unit is small enough to keep on your counter, where you can touch up knives on "Refine" mode the same way you might use a steel.

I had a Chef's Choice for years, but I looked for an alternative when they would no longer replace the abrasive. Chef's Choice got sold and went to the dogs. The Work Sharp is a little harder to use but sharpens at least as well, if not better. I love that Work Sharp is made here in Oregon and uses belts that give me options and are easy to replace. Wustoff is even selling a rebranded version of this Work Sharp sharpener.

Any…

I am pretty particular with using sharp knives in the kitchen -- they work better and they are actually safer than dull knives since you don't need to use as much pressure when slicing or chopping. I have tried so many different manual and electric sharpeners over the years, and have even tried my hand at using honing stones freehand. This product is far and away the best sharpening system I have found for my kitchen knives. It is pretty easy to use and does an amazing job on both "western" and "eastern" knives. I have the upgrade kit with the different angles for eastern knives, but so far the 17 degree general purpose setup seems to work fine for German and Japanese knives. Highly recommended product. Don't forget to change the belt from time to time and you will have a lifetime of sharp knives which are a joy to use.