I'm always on the lookout for the "best of the best", and over the past few years, the Chef's Choice electric sharpeners kept popping up in reviews and magazine articles and even books. Recently Cook's Illustrated magazine even awarded their top two spots to the Chef's Choice models 130 and 120 sharpeners. And now with the brand new model 316 for Asian knives, the selection is even more comprehensive than ever! I recently purchased a book on knife sharpening and even he recommends the Chef's Choice line of electric sharpeners, and admits to using one at home! Hmmm... so why would I bother with stones and all that hassle and mess? By the way, you can also use most of these to also sharpen pocket and hunting knives. Remember: a sharp knife is a safe knife. Dull knives are more prone to mis-use and excessive force, leading to accidents.

If you're looking for a top-of-the line all-around sharpener, the model 120 3-stage electric is probably the most fool-proof. See the back of the box for exactly how it works its magic. By using variations on the stages used, you have flexibility in the type of edge you want to create, so you can customize your sharpening if desired to match the edge type to the type of knives and the material you're cutting (for example, a different edge for cutting meats vs. precision veggie slicing). By default it produces a strong and yet razor-sharp tri-bevel edge, with a polished edge on the tip and micro-serrations or "flutes" along the shoulders for great "bite" and slicing of tougher fibrous materials. In short, it's a complete system, ideal for dull and damaged knives as well as for daily touch-ups. You can use this instead of a steel or any other sharpening/maintenance system.

If you want the ultimate flexibility and want the option of creating a more "steeled" style final stage, then then new 3-stage model 130 electric is for you. This was rated #1 recently by Cook's Illustrated magazine (the #120 was their second choice!). See the back of the box for the different options and how they work together to give you the edge of your choice. You can use stages 1 and 3 to create a strong and sharp polished edge for ultimate slicing, 1 and 2 to create a strong and steeled edge (with micro-serrations which gives "bite" to the edge), or just 2 or 3 for regular maintenance of a polished or steeled edge. It's like having a 2 stage sharpener/polisher AND precision steel (with guides so it's fool-proof!) in one.

Finally, the new model 316 Asian electric is a 2-stage diamond, with angles and grits optimized for creating and maintaining the type of edge typically found on Japanese style knives, which typically have less "shoulder" and a finer-ground edge, with 10-15 degree angles as opposed to the more traditional European 20-25 degree angles. And yes, it'll work with blades sharpened only on one side (each side is sharpened independently), including most carbon as well as stainless steel sushi knives. I bet you're thinking that you could use this to re-set the edge on your German knife to make it sharper, more like a Japanes knife, and you're right (they even mention this on the box!). The only potential downside is that the edge will be a bit more fragile (more potential for chips or cracks or nicks if abused) and will need touching up a bit more frequently, but this is really only an issue with older/cheaper softer metal knives. Modern knives like the Wusthof line really shouldn't have an issue I think.

And the manual models? Yes, they're great too! They just take a lot longer to use (you need to pull the knife through many times through each slot if it's really dull), and they won't have the precision or control to create quite the same edge as you'll get with the electrics. If you're looking for a sharpening solution for straight and serrated knives that produces a nice and strong traditional edge, the 460 is great. If you prefer the nice bit created by a steel but don't like using a steel or don't have one or have trouble maintaining consistent angle and so getting good results, the new model 470 SteelPro is for you (it's the same mechanism included in stage 2 of the model 130 electric).

NOTE: be sure to read the directions for your sharpener BEFORE trying it out! It contains absolutely essential information to make sure you get a good edge and do not damage your knives.