Chef's Choice 290 Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Hybrid® AngleSelect

®

Diamond Hone® Knife Sharpener

Model 290

Read instructions before use.

It is essential that you follow these

instructions to achieve optimal results.

2

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always
be followed including the following:

1. Read all instructions. For your safety, every user should read this manual.

2. To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse the Chef’sChoice® Hybrid®
sharpener in water or other liquid.

3. Make sure that only clean knife blades are inserted in Model 290.

4. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning.

5. Avoid contacting moving parts.

6. 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 Chef’sChoice

®

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 Chef’sChoice

®

distributor.

7. 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.

8. The use of attachments not recommended or sold by EdgeCraft Corporation may cause
fire, electric shock or injury.

9. The Chef’sChoice

®

Model 290 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.

10. Do not let the cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces.

11. When in the “ON” position (Red flash on switch is exposed when “ON”), the
Chef’sChoice

®

sharpener should always be on a stable countertop or table.

12. WARNING: KNIVES PROPERLY SHARPENED ON YOUR Chef’sChoice® Hybrid® Model 290
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.

13. Do not use outdoors.

14. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.

15. Do not use honing oils, water or any other lubricant with the Chef’sChoice

®

Hybrid®

sharpener Model 290.

16. For household use only.

17.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

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Congratulations on your selection of
the Chef’sChoice® Hybrid®
AngleSelect® 290!

Congratulations! As an owner of the highly versatile Chef’sChoice® Hybrid® AngleSelect®
290 knife sharpener you will appreciate how easy it is to maintain all of your American,
European and double-sided Asian style knives in factory sharp condition. A guide system
is provided to position each style knife at the optimum sharpening angle as customized
diamond abrasive disks quickly restore and hone a fresh edge. You will appreciate the joy of
effortless cutting and the unmatched presentation of each flawless slice.

The Model 290 is designed to sharpen your Asian style knives with primary edge facets
of 15 degrees (30 degree total) matching the sharpness and edge shape of the highest
quality Asian style knives. Your traditional American or European knives on the other
hand will be sharpened with primary edge facets of 20 degrees (40 degrees total), the
conventional angle for those knives.

Because the typical Asian edge is formed with its primary edge facet at an angle of 15
degrees (30 degrees total) it is inherently a “sharper” edge than the conventional European/
American edge formed at the larger 20 degrees (40 degrees total). Since the Asian edge is
thinner it is usually considered to be a weaker edge.

We strongly encourage you to read the following sections that detail optimum sharpening
procedures for each style blade. Enjoy!

DESCRIPTION OF THE
CHEF’SCHOICE® HYBRID® ANGLESELECT® KNIFE SHARPENER MODEL 290

The Model 290 (Figure 1) is a unique three stage sharpener with Stage 1 designated to
sharpen Asian style and other 15º edge knives. Stage 2 is designed primarily to sharpen

Figure 1. Chef’sChoice® AngleSelect® Sharpener Model 290 designed to sharpen both Asian style and
Euro-American style knives.

On/Off
Switch

LeftLeft

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 1

Right Right

Sharpen

Euro/American

Stropping/Polishing

Sharpen

Asian

4

conventional American and European knives (20° edge). Stage 3 contains ultrafine abrasive
disks designed for both Asian and Euro/American blades to create a microscopic bevel along
the edge and to polish it to a super sharp and effective edge.

Asian style and other 15° edge knives are sharpened first with fine diamond abrasives in
Stage 1 and then polished with micro diamond abrasives in Stage 3.

American and European knives (20° edge) are sharpened first with fine diamond
abrasives in Stage 2, followed by polishing with diamond micro abrasives in Stage 3. Knives
of the 20º design are not sharpened in Stage 1 unless you wish to convert this 20º edge facet
to the narrower Asian angle of 15º (see Page 9).

Special procedures for sharpening serrated blades are included beginning on page 10.

The Model 290 is not recommended for sharpening traditional-single sided Asian style
knives such as sashimi knives.

Because of their thickness and heavy duty blade design we do not recommend the
Model 290 for the much older thick European cleavers. These can be readily sharpened in
Chef’sChoice Models 120, 2000 and 2100. However, the Model 290 is ideal for sharpening
Asian cleavers.

Never operate the sharpener from the back side. Use just enough downward pressure
when sharpening to ensure uniform and consistent contact of the blade edge with the abra­sive disks on each stroke. (See Suggestions, page 11.) Additional pressure is unnecessary
and will not speed the sharpening process. Avoid excessive cutting into the plastic enclosure.
Accidental cutting into the enclosure however will not functionally impact operations of the
sharpener or damage the edge.

Try a practice pull through the sharpener with the power “OFF”. Slip the knife blade
smoothly into the left slot of Stage 1 or Stage 2 allowing the left face of the blade to rest

on the left face of the slot. Move the blade
down in the slot until you feel it contact the
diamond disk while maintaining contact
with the left angle guide. Pull it towards you
lifting the handle slightly as you approach
the tip. This practice pull will give you a
feel for the proper use of the sharpener.
Remove the knife and read the following
instructions specific to the type of knife you
will be sharpening.

Figure 2. A typical kitchen knife.

Heel

Bolster

Handle

Edge

Tip

Figure 3. Typical
edge, illustrating
the primary
facet.

a. Typical Asian Edge, 15°

b. Typical Euro/American Edge, 20°