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We all have our favorite tools in the kitchen. When asked to name that one thing we “just can’t live without”, most of us might answer with the name of our favorite stand mixer or fancy espresso maker or those old cast iron skillets that are perfectly seasoned after years of use. The list is different for everyone but perhaps like me, other home cooks might neglect the importance of one set of tools we all use in the kitchen: our knives.
When window shopping for kitchen items, I would always gravitate towards the pots and pans, appliances and the latest kitchen gadget that I “have to have”. For many years I never paid attention to my knives. Thankfully, I have benefited from my husband’s fastidious nature about tools (all of his are in perfect working order) since he has taken charge of keeping my knives sharp at all times. I admit, it is something I used to take for granted until I began to notice the difference between my knives and those of others when asked to help with kitchen prep in other people’s homes. Dull knives are more difficult and, dare I say, dangerous to use.
Dull knives make hard work of slicing a loaf of bread, tomatoes or even cutting up pieces of meat. With the additional pressure that has to be exerted to cut through the food, the knife can slip and cut the user. It’s happened to me before. Without really being aware of it, our hands get used to the amount of pressure we use to cut food. So to be safe, each sharpening session is followed by a warning from my husband to apply a lighter touch whenever I use them again for the first time. For years he has switched between using a manual knife sharpener and an electric one. There was something that intimidated me about using the latter so I have always been content to let him do the work for me.
When the Edgeware company generously offered to send me one of their knife sharpeners, I quickly agreed. I liked the features of their Ceramic Edge Gourmet Knife and Scissors Sharpener, allowing the user to sharpen multiple blade types with the machine’s interlocking ceramic wheels. I would not only be able to sharpen my straight edge and serrated knives, I would be able to sharpen my scissors, too. Plus, it was a tool that I knew my husband would get excited about and I would be able to use his experience to help me evaluate it. I set aside my fear of sharpening my knives myself and committed to letting him teach me.
And what do you know…the process was easy (and my fears were completely unwarranted). After letting my husband give the sharpener a trial run, he let me have a go at it.
A couple of things to know about the Edgeware Ceramic Edge Gourmet Knife and Scissor sharpener: 1) It will sharpen knives made of alloy, carbon or stainless steel (not ceramic or single beveled knives); 2) Unlike traditional electric knife sharpeners, its interlocking ceramic wheels will easily sharpen both sides of the knife at the same time, producing a more consistent cutting edge. The interlocking wheels were also designed to be 17 1/2° on each side to be versatile enough to sharpen a wide variety of knives (I learned quite a bit about different knife styles in preparing for this review and this covers the knives most home cooks use).
For sharpening straight edge knives the Edgeware Ceramic Edge Gourmet sharpener employs a simple two-step process.
First, the initial cutting edge of the knife is set using the manual Carbide Sharpening slot (first of two v-shaped slots in picture below). In the second image above, I ran my knife from the heel (the back tip of the knife closest to the handle), applying slight pressure as I pulled through to the tip of the knife. Per my husband’s suggestion, I placed my fingers on the spine (top of the knife) to make sure I applied even, consistent pressure as I pulled the knife through the slot. This first step is repeated a few times but even after just a couple of runs through the carbide slot, I could tell that the edge on my knife was being reset (you can hear the difference), correcting the uneven work of our old electric knife sharpener. My tip: As expected, there will be a very small amount of metal particles from the blade so use the machine away from food.
Once the edge has been reset on my knife, I turned on the machine for final sharpening. I lowered my knife against the interlocking wheels (main slot) heel first. Once the blade made contact with the wheels it aligned itself as I pulled through the slot, again with slight pressure. Since I was tentative on the first few runs (you repeat the process about 10 times) I wasn’t sure if I was actually sharpening my knife. I needed some leverage so I put my right hand on the right edge of the sharpener as I pulled the knife through. This helped me to apply more consistent pressure on the knife. And, unlike me, you’re most likely right-handed so the rubber hand grip on the left side of the machine will come in handy. I found it very easy to use even as a south paw. My tip: Even though the interlocking wheels self align the edge of the knife, I helped it along by making sure the spine of the knife was centered between in the slot as I pulled through. Super easy.
For sharpening serrated knives, the manual serrated sharpening slot (located to the right of the carbide slot) made my dull bread knife work as new again. The triangular-shaped ceramic stones will sharpen all types of serrated knives.
For sharpening scissors, The Edgeware sharpener has a retractable manual sharpener that rotates for right-handed or left-handed scissors (yes, I’m left-handed but with certain things, sports and scissors, I use my right hand).
The Verdict? I am so happy with my Edgeware knife sharpener. Its ease of use eliminated my fears of sharpening my knives and more importantly, it works beautifully. My only minor critique is that the power cord is a bit on the short side. However, this wasn’t a problem for me since my kitchen counters are narrow and I have multiple outlets.
Now for the fun part. The Edgeware company has generously offered to give one of my readers an identical knife sharpener. Here are the rules to win your own Edgeware Ceramic Edge Gourmet Knife and Scissors sharpener (approximate retail value: $149.99)
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!***
REQUIRED TO ENTER:
- Let me know in the comments section if you sharpen your own knives, make someone else in your home sharpen them for you or if you sharpen them at all.
OPTIONAL ENTRIES:
- Edgeware would appreciate your “likes” on their Facebook fan page so I hope you’ll use this additional chance to win.
- Follow Edgeware on Twitter
* Please remember to leave a separate comment for each entry (and if you decide to follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest while the giveaway runs, I’ll count those as additional entries, too).
- The winner will be selected by a random number drawing.
- THE GIVEAWAY ENDS ON FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012 (Midnight, PST)
- The contest is open to U.S. addresses only (my apologies to my international readers!)
- Legal: The Edgeware company provided the Ceramic Edge Gourmet Electric Knife and Scissors Sharpener for my review and will be providing a second one for this giveaway but my opinions about the product are strictly my own. If I do not wholeheartedly approve of a product, please know that I would not promote it on this blog.
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i do not bother to sharpen my knives… they are old and cheapo
i Follow Edgeware on Twitter
i follow you on Twitter
I’m horrible at sharpening knives, but I’m definitely against using dull knives (I’ve cut myself once or twice makng that mistake). An eletric sharpener has appealed to me ever since I saw Ina Garten using one on Barefoot Contessa.
haha, that’s a telling question…we never sharpen our knives…well, rarely! My Dad does once in a while with one of those metal “sticks”…
Otherwise, our knives are dull as tombs.
I sharpen my own knives every 6 months or so and then use a sharpening steel before every use! This would be a great gift for mom whose knives definitely need some work!
I’ve got an old hand-me-down electric sharpener that I like to think helps a bit with my knife edges. It seems they become dull too soon though.
I am a current follower of Edgeware on facebook (Rust Hawk).
I am a current twitter follower of Edgeware @rusthawk.
I am following you on twitter @rusthawk.
I am following you on facebook (Rust Hawk).
I am following you on pinterest as rusthawk. Your food is beautiful.
I liked you on facebook
I need my knives sharpened, but never have. Oops.
I’m following you on pinterest
I liked Edgeware on facebook
I have always wanted to learn how to correctly sharpen knives on a wetstone, but for the most part my knives always need sharpening!
I follow edgeware on FB
I try and sharpen them at home but never works out too well. This would be great as I can’t afford new knives right now.
Follow on fb
Follow on twitter
Follow on pinterest
I learned how to sharpen my knives years ago and own a whet stone, but I’ve only sharpened them on my own ONCE at home. Now I send them out to get sharpened. I’m afraid of ruining my knives.
I have yet to find a good sharpener in the area. My knives are in dire need of a sharpening!
I now follow Edgeware on Twitter!
I already follow you on Twitter!
I already “like” you on Facebook…
AND I follow you on Pinterest!
I have a terrible time sharpening my knives. I have a diamond steel, a wet stone, and that little “as seen on TV” gadget but none of them work as well as Id like. Maybe I just don’t sharpen them enough!
Been following you on FB for some time now!
Just Liked edgewater on FB!
What a great giveaway. I make my husband sharpen my knives!
I follow Edgeware on Twitter
I follow you on Facebook
I follow you on Pinterest
I follow you on Twitter
Following you on Pinterest Jean!! Your food pics are Pintastic!!
OH NO! No Canadian entrants?? Too bad. My hubby sharpens my knives, though
Right now, I have someone else do them but I would love to be able to sharpen at home.
In theory I let someone else sharpen them for me. Except I’ve never actually done it. I keep an eye out for free knife sharpening services, but I always miss them.
I follow edgeware on twitter
I like edgeware on facebook
I usually have my husband sharpen the knives, since most of them are his.
I like Edgeware on FB.
I never sharpened my knifes…but this is cool giveaway..
I follow you on Twitter!
Following you on the Facebook
Following on Pinterest
Now Following @SmithsEdgeware on Twitter
I sharpen them myself using the sharpener in the woodblock… It has made my cheap knives last forever!!
I take my knives to JoAnn fabrics when they bring the tools for scissors sharpening, or borrow my friend’s sharpening tool. I would love to have one of my own, though, as I really hate working with dull knives!
I follow you on Twitter, of course (@Bibberche).
I follow Edgeware on Twitter (@Bibberche).
I like Edgeware on FB (Svetlana Watkins).
I like your page on FB (Svetlana Watkins).
How timely. I am overdue – typically I bring my knives in to get professionally sharpened, and just the other day, hubs was reminding me that I need to bring the knives in! I should know better – I well know and have suffered the fate of a dull knife (as you know!). I was always wary of home sharpeners, but this post makes me feel better. Excellent review and giveaway, Jean!
I sharpen my own knives @ about 18° on an oiled whet stone. Thanks to my late uncle Chuck, who taught me the correct method long ago, I’m pretty good at it. However, it would be nice to have an electric sharpener around when I’m in the zone and need a sharp knife ASAP, so pick me please!
My husband is the official family knife sharpener
I like Edgeware on Facebook
I follow Edgeware on Twitter
I follow you on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
I follow you on Pinterest
Hubby sharpens my knifes. Somehow I’m more afraid of sharpened knifes than the dull ones
Like Edgeware on Facebook
Like you on Facebook.
Follow you on Twitter
Follow you on Pinterest.
Why I have the feeling I’m a stalker?
My husband sharpens the knives in our house!
I’ve always had my knives professionally sharpened and then I whisk ‘em on the stick. I wonder if this is available in Australia.. probably not.
I’d buy one!
I sharpen my own knives,but then again I dont have fabulous knives,this looks like a great giveaway,thanks for the opportunity.
I’ve never sharpened my knives
I don’t sharpen my knives but know I should.
I sharpen with a manual tool provided with my knife set– doesn’t work very well! Love the chance to own the electric product.
We do sharpen our knives our home. This is a very fancy sharpener! We have sashimi knife from Japan and my husband wants to buy the special stone to sharpen…just like how Japanese chef would do… me? This will be convenient and handy! Great giveaway!
Following Edgeware on FB!
And twitter.
I also follow you everywhere.
But I just leave one comment. 
I use a a “steel” to realign my edge every time I use my knives. But a sharpener would still come in handy. Of course I would follow you (and do) to the ends of the earth. GREG
Oh dear. I get around to sharpening my knives maybe once a year. I should probably step that up! This sharpener would really help with that cause
I make an attempt to sharpen my own knives. I buy the little hand held shapeners and use them. They don’t work too well, but they’ll get by for a little while.
I like Edgeware on facebook
I follow Edgeware on twitter
I like Lemons and Anchovies on facebook
I follow Lemons and Anchovies on twitter
I make hubby sharpen the knives with a little gadget-type sharpener that we received as a stocking stuffer. It really doesn’t work very well and our knives could definitely use a little TLC as they are well used!
I LIKE Lemons and Anchovies on Facebook.
I FOLLOW Lemons and Anchovies on Pinterest.
I LIKE Edgewear on Facebook.
When we get around to sharpening our knives (not often enough), the BF is kind enough to do it.
I make my son sharpen knives (no worries – he’s old enough). His grandfather taught him how a few years ago, and I encourage it to help “hone” the skill. But he’s about to move out, so I have to start looking for alternative sharpening methods.
I, too, have my husband sharpen my knives. He’s so very good at it and it scares me. I’ve watched my grandpa doing it for my grandma growing up and I feel like men enjoy being in control of sharp pointy objects! Particularly if they’re dangerous.
I wish I could get my husband to sharpen my knives! I try to do it myself but it’s not something I’m very good at or consistent about.
I sharpen my own knives.
I sharpen my knives with a steel.
This is a fantastic giveaway. Hubs takes care of my knife sharpening and this would be lovely to win-such a wonderful product:)
I sharpen my knives before every use. That may seem excessive, but I still have all nine fingers!
My other half sharpens the knives. Though he would really love this sharpener since his is dinky!
I liked Edgeware on Facebook
I liked Lemons and Anchovies on Facebook
I followed Lemons and Anchovies on Pinterest via Mooshu Jenne
My knives are in such full condition, I don’t think I’ve ever sharpened them. Would love to give this sharpener a try!
I try to sharpen my own knives but they’re never as sharp as I know they could be.
Great giveaway!
I’m following Edge Ware on Twitter