Chef sChoice E270 Hybrid Knife Sharpener
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDSWhen using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed including the following:
- Read all instructions. For your safety, every user should read this manual.
- To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse the EdgeCraft® Hybrid® sharpener in water or other liquid.
- Make sure that only clean knife blades are inserted in Model E270.
- Unplug from outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning.
- Avoid contacting moving parts.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions, or is dropped or damaged in any manner.
- U.S. customers: You can return your sharpener to EdgeCraft’s factory for service where the cost of repair or electrical or mechanical adjustment can be estimated. When the electrical cord on this appliance is damaged, it must be replaced by the EdgeCraft® factory or other qualified service to avoid the danger of electrical shock.
- Outside U.S.: Please return your sharpener to your local distributor where the cost of repair or electrical or mechanical adjustment can be estimated. If the supply cord of this appliance is damaged, it must be replaced by a repair facility appointed by the manufacturer because special tools are required. Please consult your EdgeCraft® distributor.
- CAUTION! This appliance may be fitted with a polarized power plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug in anyway.
- The use of attachments not recommended or sold by EdgeCraft Corporation may cause fire, electric shock or injury.
- The EdgeCraft® Hybrid® sharpener is designed to sharpen American, European, and Asian style knives as described in following sections. Do not attempt to sharpen scissors, ax blades or any blade that does not fit freely in the slots.
- Do not let the cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces.
- When in the “ON” position (Red flash on switch is exposed when “ON”), the EdgeCraft® sharpener should always be on a stable countertop or table.
- WARNING: KNIVES PROPERLY SHARPENED ON YOUR EdgeCraft® Hybrid® SHARPENER WILL BE SHARPER THAN YOU EXPECT. TO AVOID INJURY, USE AND HANDLE THEM WITH EXTREME CARE. DO NOT CUT TOWARD ANY PART OF YOUR FINGERS, HAND OR BODY. DO NOT RUN FINGER ALONG EDGE. STORE IN A SAFE MANNER.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
- Do not use honing oils, water or any other lubricant with the EdgeCraft® Hybrid® sharpener Model E270.
- For household use only.
- This appliance is intended to be used in household and similar applications such as: – staff kitchen areas in shops, offices, and other working environments; – farm houses; – by clients in hotels, motels, and other residential type environments; – bed and breakfast type environments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EDGECRAFT HYBRID® DIAMOND HONE KNIFE SHARPENER MODEL E270
This advanced Hybrid® Diamond Hone Sharpener has two motor-driven sharpening Stages 1 and 2, followed by a single manual honing.
In Stage 1, motor-driven, highly effective diamond abrasive disks remove the dull edge and create a sharp fully faceted edge at the conventional 20 degrees on each side of
the blade. In Stage 2 similar technology is used with finer diamond abrasives at a slightly larger angle to create a small second bevel along the edge. This two step sharpening and honing process leaves a stronger – arch-shaped profile along the edge for greater strength and durability. In Stage 3 the edge is lightly polished to create a razor sharp Trizor edge of increased perfection, sharpness and durability.
In Stage 1 there are two knife-guiding slots. These are referred to as the left and right slots of Stage 1. Likewise in Stage 2, there are two guiding slots, left and right that sharpen alternately the right and left side of the blade’s edge. Stage 3 has only one guiding
slot that centers the blade in a manner so that both sides of the edge are honed simultaneously. When sharpening in Stages 1 and 2, always follow an alternating pattern of sharpening in the right and left slots. This pattern insures that both sides (facets) of the edge are sharpened alike for better control of the cutting action of the blade.
This three stage design provides the ultimate in versatility of the knife edge so that you can tailor the edge geometry to your cutting needs. You will find that the Model E270 gives you a very sharp edge and one that remains significant bite for some of the more difficult cutting tasks.
USING THE MODEL E270 SHARPENER
Note: Always clean your knife before sharpening in the Hybrid ®! For your safety, keep your fingers clear of the blade edge at all times.
You will find that the Hybrid® can create and maintain a very sharp and effective edge on all your conventional fine edge and serrated cutlery. The primary edge facets are each formed in Stage 1 at a nominal 20 degrees on each side of the edge, which results in a total primary edge of 40 degrees. Stages 2 and 3 create a second and third bevel at slightly larger angles leaving a strong triple beveled edge structure. Always use the sharpener with the stage numbers 1, 2 and 3 facing you.
STAGE 1
To sharpen, place the sharpener on the table gripping it securely with your left hand. Push on the power switch. Insert the knife blade, (Figure 1) near its handle, into the far left slot of Stage #1 and allow the left face of the blade to rest on the left face of the slot as you pull the knife toward you. The knife edge should be in sustained moving contact with the internal diamond abrasive coated disk. Only light downward force will be necessary as you pull the blade toward you. Listen carefully to insure your knife maintains good contact with the rotating diamond disk. Take about 5 seconds to make each pull if you have a six inch (6”) long blade. Increase the time of each pull for longer blades or decrease the time for shorter blades.
Make one pull of the blade in the left slot as described above and then repeat the same procedure in the adjacent (right) slot of Stage 1. As you pull the knife thru the right slot, (see Figure 2), hold the right face of the knife against the slanted right face of the slot. If your knife, before sharpening, is not very dull you will find that only about 5 pairs of pulls, alternating in the left and right slots of Stage 1, will be sufficient to put a keen edge on the blade. However, if the knife is initially very dull you may find that 10 or more alternating pairs of pulls in the left and right slots of Stage 1 will be needed the first time as you reshape and sharpen the old edge. Always pull the blade toward you. Never push the blade away from you when using Stage 1. Before leaving Stage 1 it is important to examine the knife edge to insure there is a small burr along one side of the edge.
Figure 3 illustrates how to check for the burr. Proceed as follows: If your last sharpening pull was in the right slot there should be a small burr on the right side of the blade edge. If the last pull was in the left slot there should be a small burr along the left side of the edge. If there is no burr make another pair of pulls and again check for a burr. Repeat making pairs of alternating right and left pulls until you create a small burr along the edge. (Sometimes it is easier to create the burr if you pull the blade slower.) Make another single pull and confirm there is a burr along the edge after each pull. Only then are you are ready to sharpen in Stage 2.
STAGE 2
Once you have confirmed that a burr was formed in Stage 1, you are ready to hone the knife in Stage 2.
Proceed to sharpen in the left and right slots of Stage 2 which have finer abrasive and sharpen at a slightly larger angle than Stage 1 in order to create a small second bevel adjacent the knife edge.
You will likely find that only 1-2 pairs of pulls in Stage 2 will be sufficient to create a small burr along the edge. Always sharpen alternately in the left and right slots of Stage 2, taking about 5 seconds each pass for a 6” blade (see Figures 4 and 5). Take longer for longer knives, and less time to pull shorter blades through the slots. The burr will be slightly smaller than you experienced in Stage 1. Pull slower if needed to develop a detectable burr before moving to Stage 3. You will notice that the edge developed in Stage 2 is sharper than the edge formed in Stage 1.
Do not move to Stage 3 (manual) until you are confident that you detect a burr after Stage 2.
Once a burr is detected, you can make a pair of faster pulls in Stage 2 to remove the burr and minimize the time you will need to hone and polish the edge in Stage 3.
STAGE 3
Since Stage 3 is a manual polishing stage you can turn off the power switch. If the knife is fully honed in Stage 2 only 4-5 back and forth strokes will be needed in the single slot of Stage 3 (the far right slot, see Figure 6) to hone a small second bevel along the edge which will be exceedingly sharp and effective. It should cut paper smoothly allowing you to make straight or curved cuts easily.
For optimum results in Stage 3 center the blade within the slot width and keep the length of the blade aligned with the centerline of the slot as you move the blade back and forth in the slot without lifting. Apply only a light downward pressure, about 3-4 pounds, on the blade as you sharpen in Stage 3. For optimum results make smooth consistent strokes while maintaining the light downward pressure to insure that the two disks rotate as you move the blade back and forth. The finished edge will be very sharp and burr-free.
RESHARPENING THE KNIFE EDGE
To resharpen follow the procedure for Stage 3 described above, making two to three (2-3) complete back and forth stroke pairs while maintaining recommended downward pressure. Listen to confirm the sharpening disks are turning. Then test the edge for sharpness. If necessary resharpen again but first use Stage 2 followed by two to three (2-3) back and forth pairs of strokes in Stage 3. In severe cases with a very dull knife you may find it necessary to repeat Stages 1, 2 or 3 as described above. Generally you should be able to resharpen several times using only Stage 3 before having to resharpen in Stage 2 or 1.
SERRATED BLADES
Serrated blades can be sharpened in Stage 3 (see Figure 7). Center the blade in the slot of Stage 3 and make five (5) back and forth pairs of strokes. Examine the edge and if necessary make another 5 full stroke pairs. Test the blade for sharpness. If the blade to be sharpened is very dull, first make two fast but full pairs of pulls — alternating right and left slots in Stage 2 and then make five (5) paired strokes (back and forth) in Stage 3. Because of its nature, a serrated knife will not ever appear as sharp or cut as smoothly as a straight edged blade. Caution: Do not make many strokes in Stage 2, or you will remove too much metal from the teeth of the serrated edge.
ASIAN BLADES
The Hybrid® which sharpens at a primary angle of 20 degrees, can sharpen double faceted Asian blades such as the Santoku which is traditionally sharpened at 15º. However, for optimum results with all Asian blades we recommend a 15º sharpener such as the EdgeCraft® Electric Models 15XV or 1520 as the preferred choice for all Asian
style blades.
Do not sharpen in the Hybrid® any single sided, single faceted Asian Kataba knives, such as the traditional sashimi styled blade that is commonly used to prepare ultra thin sashimi. Stage 3 sharpens simultaneously both sides of the cutting edge while the sashimi knives are designed to be sharpened only on one side of the blade. The EdgeCraft electric sharpeners listed in the previous paragraph will correctly sharpen these single sided knives.
CERAMIC KNIVES
The Hybrid® is not recommended for ceramic knives.
SCISSORS
Do not attempt to use the Hybrid® to sharpen scissors. EdgeCraft does manufacture special sharpeners designed just for scissors.
BRANDS OF KNIVES
The Hybrid® will put an excellent edge on all conventional metal Euro/American and Santoku style knives regardless of brands, including Henckels, Wüsthof, Sabatier, Lamson and Goodnow, Global, Russell Harrington, Chef’sChoice, Messermeisser, Forshner, Mundial, Cuisinart, Kitchen Aid, Shun and many, many more.
TEST FOR SHARPNESS
To test for sharpness and cutting ability of your fine edge knives, hold a sheet of paper vertically by its upper edge and carefully cut down through the sheet a small (but safe) distance from your fingers. A sharp edge (on a straight edge blade) will cut smoothly without tearing the paper.
Alternatively try cutting a tomato. The knife should penetrate the skin of the tomato and cut through it on the first pull without applying significant force to the knife.
MAINTENANCE
- The exterior of the Hybrid® can be cleaned with a damp soft cloth.
- Periodically shake out and dispose of the metal sharpening dust by inverting the sharpener and lightly tapping it onto a newspaper, paper towel, or other paper sheet.
- No oils or other lubricating liquids are necessary with this sharpener.
The Legacy Companies
149 Cleveland Drive, Paris, KY 40361 U.S.A.
Made in the U.S.A. of U.S. and Imported Parts. This product may be covered by one or more EdgeCraft patents and/or patents pending as marked on the product. Chef’sChoice®, EdgeCraft®, Diamond Hone®, EdgeSelect® and the overall design of this product are registered trademarks of the EdgeCraft Corporation.
Conforms to UL Std. 982 Certified to CAN/CSA Std. C22.2 No. 64
Certified to EN 60335-1, EN 60335-2, EN 55014-1+A1, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3 © 2021 The Legacy Companies