Chef'sChoice EdgeCraft E315 Manuel page 4

You are likely aware of which of your knives have 15 degree edges and which have the
older 20 degree edges. Until recently virtually all knives sold in America were either made
in Europe or the U.S. and these were universally sharpened at 20 degrees. Around year
2000 Asian style knives sharpened at 15 degrees became popular. Within the last few
years most popular European and American brand knives converted to 15 degree edges.
The Model E315 Asian Sharpener designed with the latest sharpening, polishing and
stropping technology from EdgeCraft gives you a precision sharpener that can quickly
restore your contemporary 15° Euro/American and Asian style knives to their original
factory sharpness. This new sharpener incorporates the highly precise angle control and
the unique stropping materials that has made EdgeCraft sharpeners the choice of
leading chefs worldwide.
You will appreciate how the ultrafine abrasives in the stropping disks of this sharpener
delicately hone and polish the extraordinary sharp edges characteristic of the
contemporary blades. By following these Instructions you can also, if you wish, convert
any of your thinner traditional 20° Euro/American style knives to the narrower 15° angle
edge and experience a significantly improved performance. These instructions describe
how each of your contemporary Euro/American and Asian style knives, including the
traditional single sided Japanese blades, can be edged with the Model E315.
CONTEMPORARY 15° KNIVES
Contemporary 15° knives differ from traditional 20° Euro/American style knives in that the
most popular contemporary blades have a thinner cross section where the edge facets
are formed. In addition each cutting edge facet is generally set at an angle substantially
less than the conventional facets on traditional 20° Euro/American blades. The thinner
blade behind the edge facets and the smaller angled facets of contemporary 15° blades
reduce the amount of effort needed to cut or slice. Contemporary 15° type blades are
ideal for preparing, slicing and chopping vegetables, for filleting fish and for preparing
the popular sushi and sashimi. For more information on the design of contemporary 15°
Euro/American and Asian style knives refer to the Description of Contemporary 15° and
Traditional 20° Blades, page 9.
UNDERSTANDING THE EDGECRAFT® E315 SHARPENER
The EdgeCraft® Model E315 is designed to create a factory sharp 15° edge on all
contemporary Euro/American and Asian style knives, all Chinese style cleavers and the
traditional style single side Japanese blades. Because of the narrow sharpening angle
and the fine diamond abrasives used in this sharpener, it is not recommended for routine
sharpening of thick sporting knives, the heavier European style chef knives and European
cleavers. These thicker knives can be sharpened in other EdgeCraft® sharpeners such as
Models 120, 15, 2000 and 2100.
Stage 1
Left Right
Slot
YOU MADE A GOOD CHOICE
Stage 2
Left Right
Slot Slot Slot
Knife
Holding
Spring
Power
Switch
Figure 1. Model E315 Sharpener.
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