Don’t Choose Between Manual and Electric with This Chef’s Choice Knife Sharpener

There was a time when you had to choose between a manual and an electric knife sharpener. It's a difficult choice because you often need both for everyday use.

But not all knife sharpeners are affordable. As much as cooks want the best of both worlds, many are on a budget for only one tool. To help you search through several reviews, we’ve narrowed it down to a Chef’s Choice knife sharpener that might fit your needs. It's the Chef's Choice 220 Sharpener, and it's a hybrid, which means you get manual and electric features in one tool!

There is no need to choose between manual and electric with the Chef's Choice 220 Sharpener. So whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, this knife sharpener will surely be a valuable addition to your kitchen equipment.

A Chef's Choice Hybrid Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener Model 220 Review: What's In It for You?

Chef's Choice offers many knife sharpeners with equally (and even more) promising features. So what makes the 220 model the best tool for your knife sharpening needs? Here's everything to know about this hybrid knife sharpener.

Quick Specifications

First, here's an overview of the important technical specifications of the product.

Basic Anatomy & How It Works

The Chef's Choice 220 is both a manual and electric knife sharpener in one. It features two diamond honing surfaces: the first stage is electrical sharpening, forming the primary edge. Meanwhile, the second stage is manual honing or polishing the knife blade by creating a sturdy double bevel structure.

Wondering how to use this Chef's Choice knife sharpener? Below is an overview of the step-by-step procedure.

1. Turn the power switch on and put the knife blade on the Stage 1 slot.
2. The proper sharpening motion should be to pull the knife towards you, giving it a light downward force.
3. Perform at least five knife pulls and increase when necessary (e.g., when the knife is still dull).
4. Ensure that distinct burr forms on the knife's edge before moving to the honing stage.
5. Proceed with Stage 2, which is a manual honing or polishing process. Use back and forth stroking motions 4–5 times or add more when necessary. Don't forget light downward pressure and stroke consistency.
6. If you need to resharpen the blade, repeat steps 1 to 5 and add two to three back and forth strokes on the Stage 2 slot with the same downward pressure.

Using this sharpener takes anywhere from 15 seconds to two minutes. However, it also depends on your experience. For more details on how to use this Chef's Choice knife sharpener, check out the detailed instruction manual. Fortunately, it is also downloadable online with various languages available.

Best Feature: Advanced Hybrid® Technology

Undoubtedly, the best part of the Chef's Choice Hybrid 220 is its combined manual and electric functions. It saves you time and secures a sharp and effective knife edge. You often don't get these two benefits because most sharpeners are only either manual or electric.

Sharpener Capabilities

Now that you know how it works and what's good about it, let's move on to the types of knife and knife edges that are compatible with this tool.

Knife Type

Below are the types of knives you can sharpen using this Chef's Choice tool.

• Chef's Knife
• Bread Knife
• Hunting Knife
• Fillet Knife
• Pocket Knife

Edge Type

Meanwhile, here are the types of knife edges compatible with this sharpener.

• Double-beveled edge
• 20-degree edge
• Serrated edge

Sharpener Maintenance

If you're looking for a sharpener that's low-maintenance and easy to clean, the Chef's Choice 220 is an excellent bet. According to the Chef's Choice knife sharpener instructions, it only takes a soft, damp cloth to clean its exterior.

When getting rid of the sharpening dust, you just have to invert the machine, tap it lightly, and shake out all the metal dust into a piece of paper. There is no need for lubricating oils to clean this tool.

Product Drawbacks

Naturally, this knife sharpener has a few limitations to note so that you can find the right investment. Below are some product drawbacks according to most users of the product.

• It doesn't work well on extremely dull or damaged knives.
• It's not the most durable sharpener. Ensure not to use too much pressure as it can wear out fast.
• It has smaller slots compared to other Chef's Choice sharpeners.
• Due to its bevel degree, it might not be efficient enough for sharpening fillet and hunting knives.
• It works slightly slower because it's not fully electric.

It Takes Two to Sharpen A Dull Knife

Some single-type knife sharpeners can do wonders, but there's no harm investing in a tool that offers the best of both worlds. In fact, you're in for a greater advantage! The Chef's Choice 220 can give you an incredibly sharp blade in just a few easy steps.

It's a portable two-stage sharpener. The first stage uses electric power to form the primary edge on your dull knife. Stage two then hones and polishes it using light, manual downward pressure. This combination sets this tool apart from many sharpeners in the market and makes it so efficient.

No matter how well-performing, any knife can still get dull with use. Thus, it's necessary to protect and maintain it using the right tools such as knife sharpeners. Sharpening plays a significant role in the quality of your knife's edge, directly contributing to the long-term performance of your kitchen knife. 

We hope this Chef's Choice knife sharpener review has provided you with valuable insights on this product and other knife sharpeners in general. You may also read more of our articles for reviews, buying guides, and helpful information about knives. Have an enjoyable time in the kitchen!