Chef sChoice G203 Hybrid Knife Sharpener Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- Chef sChoice
Table of Contents
DIAMOND HONE® KNIFE SHARPENER
G203
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM RESULTS.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed including the following:
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Read all instructions. For your safety, every user should read this manual.
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To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse the Chef’sChoice® sharpener in water or other liquid.
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Make sure that only clean knife blades are inserted in Model G203.
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Unplug from outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning.
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Avoid contacting moving parts.
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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 The Legacy Companies’ 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 another qualified service to avoid the danger of electrical shock.
Outside the 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. -
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.
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Carefully route the power supply cord to avoid damage from the knife blades while sharpening.
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The use of attachments not recommended or sold by The Legacy Companies may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
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The Chef’sChoice® sharpener is designed to sharpen American, European, and Asian-style knives as described in the following sections. Do not attempt to sharpen scissors, ax blades, or any blade that does not fit freely in the slots.
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Do not let the cord hang over the edge of the table or counter or touch hot surfaces.
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When in the “ON” position (A red flash on the switch is exposed when “ON”), the Chef’sChoice® sharpener should always be on a stable countertop or table.
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WARNING: KNIVES PROPERLY SHARPENED ON YOUR Chef’sChoice® 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 YOUR FINGER ALONG THE EDGE. STORE IN A SAFE MANNER.
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Do not use outdoors.
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Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
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Do not use honing oils, water, or any other lubricant with the Chef’sChoice® sharpener Model G203.
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For household use only.
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This appliance is intended to be used in households and similar applications such as: – staff kitchen areas in shops, offices, and other working environments; – farm houses; – clients in hotels, motels, and other residential type environments; – bed and breakfast type environments.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHEF’SCHOICE DIAMOND HONE®KNIFE SHARPENER MODEL G203
This advanced Diamond Hone Sharpener has two motor-driven sharpening Stages 1
and 2, followed by a single manual honing and polishing in Stage 3.
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 leave a stronger –
arch-shaped profile along the edge for greater strength and durability. In
Stage 3 the edge is lightly honed and 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 sides 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 ensures 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 versatility of the knife edge so
that you can tailor the edge geometry to your cutting needs. You will find
that the Model G203 gives you a very sharp edge and one that remains a
significant bite for some of the more difficult cutting tasks.
USING THE MODEL G203 SHARPENER
Note: Always clean your knife before sharpening in the sharpener! For
your safety, keep your fingers clear of the blade edge at all times.
You will find that the sharpener 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 level at slightly larger angles leaving a
strong triple beveled edge structure. Always use the sharpener with 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
Figure 1. Inserting the blade in the left slot of the
Stage 1. Alternate individual pulls in left and right slots.| Figure
2. Inserting the blade in the right slot of
Stage 1. Alternate pulls in left and right slots.
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 cells, 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
- Before leaving Stage 1 it is important to examine the knife edge to ensure
there is a mall 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 ready to sharpen in Stage 2?
STAGE 2
Once you have confirmed that a burr was formed in Stage 1, you are ready to
sharpen 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 to 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
Figure 3. Develop a distinct burr along the knife edge before sharpening in
Stage 2.
Burr can be detected by sliding fingers across and away from the edge.
Caution! See text.| Figure 4. Inserting the knife in the left slot of
Stage 2. Alternate individual pulls in left and right slots.
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 honing stage you can turn off the power switch. If
the knife is fully sharpened in Stage 2 only 5-10 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 third 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 center line 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. 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 10-20 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. Generally, you should be able to resharpen several times using only Stage 3 before having to resharpen in Stage 1.
Figure 5. Inserting the knife in the right slot of Stage 2.
Alternate individual pulls in left and right slots.| Figure 6. Knife
in Stage 3. Use back and forth
sharpening strokes with modest downward pressure.
See text.
SERRATED BLADES
Serrated blades can be sharpened in Stage 3 (see Figure 7). Center the blade in the slot of Stage 3 and make twenty-five (25) back and forth pairs of strokes. Examine the edge and if necessary make another 25 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 twenty-five (25) 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 sharpener 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 Chef’sChoice® Electric Models 15XV or
1520 as the preferred choice for all Asian
style blades.
Do not sharpen in the sharpener 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 Chef’sChoice electric sharpeners listed in the previous
paragraph will correctly sharpen these single-sided knives.
CERAMIC KNIVES
The sharpener is not recommended for ceramic knives.
SCISSORS
Do not attempt to use the sharpener to sharpen scissors. The Legacy Companies
does
manufacture special sharpeners designed just for scissors.
Figure 7. Serrated knife in Stage 3.
BRANDS OF KNIVES
The sharpener will put an excellent edge on all conventional metal Euro/American and Santoku style knives regardless of brands, including Henckels, Wüsthof, Sabatier, Samson and Goodnow, Global, Russell Harrington, Chef’sChoice, Messermeisser, Forshner, Mundial, Cuisinart, Kitchen Aid, Shun and many, many more.
TEST FOR SHARPNESS
To test for the 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 at 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 sharpener 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 another 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. with the U.S. and globally sourced materials.
chefschoice.com
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®,
dgeSelect®, 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
© The Legacy Companies 2021