EdgeCraft Chef's Choice Electric Knife Sharpener (Model 120)

In culinary school, rule number one is, "A dull knife is a dangerous knife." With the Chef'sChoice EdgeSelect Sharpener (Model 120), there's one less thing to worry about in the kitchen.

This electric knife sharpener has a 3-stage process that can put an edge on an extremely dull knife, or simply hone and finesse the blade of a knife that's already in good condition. Used in different sequences, the three slots (each of which have a different degree of abrasion) can help you achieve the type of blade you need, whether it's one that is ultra-fine and sharp, or that has a little bite for butchering or more heavy-duty cutting tasks.

Once you get the hang of it, the machine is very easy to use. Springs help guide the knife at the proper angle, so all you need to do is make sure you're applying the right amount of pressure, and that you're pulling the knife through at the right speed. This takes a little practice, but the detailed instruction booklet even tells you how many seconds it should take to pull an 8-inch chef's knife through the sharpener.

It might also take a little experimentation to determine how many times to pass your knives through each level. Although the manual says it only should take one or two times through the second and third stages, I found it took quite a few passes before I felt like my blade was sharper.

The EdgeSelect 120 is compact enough that you can leave it set up on your kitchen counter and quickly hone your knife blades before beginning cooking. And, at around $130, the sharpener will eventually save you money otherwise spent on professional sharpening services.