This came with batteries but it did not work very well at all. The knife goes in under the grey parts. It took a lot of drags for the knife to get an edge. I went back to using the one above, but I had an awful feeling it would all go ever so wrong one day. I am not know to be a person with a steady hand. R encouraged me to get a replacement that actually worked.
We found this one made by Scanpan for a few more dollars than the battery one above. It is beautifully designed and works very well. If your knife is very blunt, you start with with the slot with the coarsest stone and follow up with the progressively finer stones, that is left to right. I do like it when things just work.
We use a steel, my son worked in a butchers shop for a few years so he always sharpens my knives when he visits most of the time my knives are blunt safer that way.
ReplyDeleteMerle..........
Blunt knives are NOT safer as more pressure is needed to get them cutting anything, so as you press harder there is more chance of the knife slipping and cutting you. My dad always used a steel too, lightning fast he was.
DeleteMerle, what River says below is what my father used to say. Essentially, a clean cut from a sharp knife is better than a cut from a blunt knife.
DeleteWe have a couple of ineffective knife sharpeners. And return to the steel. Like Merle I am better off when our knives are not very sharp. My hands are very, very far from steady.
ReplyDeleteEC, my father used to sharpen with a steel. Whatever happened to them? My hands are also shaky. Must google to see if the pill I can take to stop the shake and be able to confidently carry a cup of coffee on a saucer. In my case it is hereditary.
DeleteThe third photo is VERY sleek. I realise good design is not just about aesthetics, but there is something very appealing about smart lines.
ReplyDeleteHels, I think Scanpan is a quite upmarket brand. The sharpener looks good and functions well. Don't ask what price for something that has no moving parts. The price is a later comment.
DeleteHubby has gone through several knife sharpeners for the same reason - some are dodgy while others are just plain dangerous (I swear some were invented by blood thirsty psychopaths hoping for mass blood letting in kitchens the world over).
ReplyDeleteJayne, it cost a bit, but it will see us out. I would advise you to buy him one for his birthday.
DeleteNow that's one job TOH does well. I don't even know what he uses. I just say the knife needs sharpening and its done. I yhink it must be a safe way because he has to be careful not to cut himself because he takes an anti coagulant drug.
ReplyDeleteAh Diane, role reversal, almost. R says the knives are blunt and it is up to me to sharpen them. Except he does see how I do it.
DeleteI wonder if that last sharpener would work on those cheap cleavers I buy at the Central Market Asian Supermarket. They're only a couple of dollars each and cut quite well for several years, but I'd prefer to sharpen than replace. Was the sharpener expensive? More than $10?
ReplyDeleteIt would work fine on any big cutting knife, including cleavers. Given we wasted about $35 on the battery one, the new one at $38 that actually works is value for money. I remember my step mother had one that you rolled the knife back and forth on the grind stones on the bench. It worked well, but the stones wore out.
DeleteThat's a reasonable cost for something thta works. I'll get one.
DeleteI would buy the last one just for its looks!!! We have one similar to the top one for fish filleting which I NEVER use ... with a combo of hands/sharp edges/blades/skill what could possibly go wrong??
ReplyDeleteRed, I expect when filleting, you are cutting away from your hands, so no danger and stop being so lazy and fillet the fish yourself.
DeleteWhat kind of knives do you have ? We never sharpened a knife, probably it broke before it became necessary !
ReplyDeleteStainless steel for cutting up meat and vegetables before or after cooking. It is set of five knives, one a serrated bread knife.
Deleteaaah I do love a nice sharp knife, that sharpener (the last one) is dead sexy
ReplyDeleteFen, it was accidental of course, but the photo makes it look very stylish.
ReplyDeleteI love everything Scanpan! That is one very chic knife sharpener Andrew!
ReplyDeleteGrace, I have the impression that Scanpan is quite upmarket?
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