The variety of kitchen accessories in modern stores is amazing. There are dozens of types of knife stands, tacks, tea strainers on each shelf alone. You can find containers designed for individual products, such as sausage, lemons or cheese. Convenient automatic openers, presses, graters are on sale. Those who like to simplify their life will also like the Leomax “Sharp Edges” knife sharpener.
Description and characteristics of the device
Sharp Edges is a compact kitchen appliance designed for sharpening knives and household tools. Device dimensions: 8.5614 cm. Knife power 20 W, cord length 125 cm (in electric models).
The device is available in a plastic case, in three colors: red, green and silver. The set comes with a grinding wheel. Its grain size is not indicated in the instructions that come with the knife sharpener "Sharp Edges". Owner reviews describe it as average. It is clearly large, and will not be able to bring the blades of knives to razor sharpness, howeversmall enough to be used only for roughing. The device comes with a small plastic tray that is installed directly under the casing that covers the grinding wheel. It collects metal shavings left after sharpening.
Destination
The device is designed for sharpening all types of knives (for meat, bread, fish, etc.) differing in thickness and material of manufacture. They can also handle dull scissors of any format, from manicure to garden scissors. Screwdrivers of different thicknesses and sections can also be sharpened on it. In fact, it can sharpen any tool that is suitable in shape and thickness. Axes, secateurs, any piercing and cutting objects - everything that can be pushed into sharpening holes.
Knife types
Leomax electric knife can be produced in two types, differing in the type of power supply. In the first version, it is powered by the mains and is equipped with a long cord.
In the second version - the device is wireless. It is powered by four AA batteries. It is impossible to say unambiguously which of these two options is better. The dimensions of the case in both cases are the same, as well as all the performance characteristics of the device. However, traditionally, mains-operated devices are considered more powerful, which is important when it comes to a sharpener. In addition, the owner does not have to worry that at the right timemoment the batteries run out of charge. On the other hand, the “Sharp Edges” cordless knife takes up less space on the shelf, the cord does not get in the way during storage, and you can also take it with you if necessary on the road: fishing, hiking or picnic.
Use
Before operation, the instrument must be installed on a flat, level surface. The wired model must be connected to a 220 V network, batteries must be inserted into the wireless one according to the marking (they are not included in the kit). Then you should install the item that needs sharpening in the appropriate slot and press the power button. The electric knife sharpener will start to work, the grinding disk will start to rotate. After the finger is removed from the button, the motor will stop.
Types of nests
The sharpening stone in the knife sharpener “Sharp Edges” is hidden by a removable plastic casing, cylindrical in shape, in which several holes are made for different types of tools. On the side you can see two grooves of different widths - they are designed for sharpening knives, hatchets for cutting meat and other kitchen utensils. Turning the cover 180 degrees reveals the angled groove.
It is designed for sharpening scissors and similar cutting objects. On the edge of the casing there is another angular groove. Its purpose is to sharpen serrated (wave-like or sawtooth) blades. From the end of the casing you can see two holes of different sizes - slots of screwdrivers for sharpening are inserted into them. Blades can be sharpened if desireddirectly on the grinding stone by removing the protective plastic from it.
The advantages of a knife sharpener
It is worth mentioning the advantages of the device:
- Versatility. One device is able to work with several types of tools and different types of knives at once.
- Affordable price. Knife from 220V "Sharp Edges" is mainly sold through TV stores. Despite the fact that the price for it varies and depends on the requirements of a particular distributor and ongoing promotions, the device can be purchased by a person with a very modest income. Such a device is perfect for a gift.
- Mobility and small size. This kitchen appliance is quite compact, it does not take up much space in the closet. If desired, it can be easily moved and rearranged.
Disadvantages of a knife sharpener
Despite the advantages of the device, it still has certain disadvantages. These include:
- Low power is the main drawback of the sharp edges knife sharpener. Reviews clearly indicate that it is often not enough to sharpen even the most ordinary kitchen knife, regardless of the power source of the device.
- It is not possible to select the grain size of the disc or the speed of its rotation. Since the abrasive surface is rather rough, the “Sharp Edges” knife will not work for fine sharpening. Owner reviews allow us to conclude that it is best to sharpen very dull knives with this tool.
- No sharpening angle selection. The cost of knives is not always limited to a couple of hundred rubles. Oftenprofessional kitchen tools cost more than one thousand - just like handmade hunting weapons. Sharpening such things requires a very thorough one - sometimes the thickness of the blade is calculated in microns. Yes, and the angle of sharpening is selected in this case individually. Obviously, the Sharp Edges knife will not cope with such things.
Reviews
Knife "Sharp Edges" is widely advertised on television, so there are a lot of people who bought it. Accordingly, according to the comments of the owners, you can get an objective idea about this product.
Unfortunately, most of the reviews are far from encouraging. Often problems begin already at the delivery stage. The “Sharp Edges” knife sharpener is not sold at retail, and, therefore, before buying it, you cannot hold it in your hands and evaluate its appearance. And with delivery, the goods may come with cosmetic defects: chips, scuffs, cracks.
The main part of the complaints concerns the quality of the Leomax “Sharp Edges” knife sharpener. The characteristics declared by the manufacturer are not maintained even approximately. The power of 10 W is not enough to sharpen a thin kitchen knife, not to mention a rougher tool. And it doesn't matter which model (wired or wireless) to work with - the result is the same for both.
Many owners note that it is worth a little pressure on the grinding wheel as it stops. Some also pay attention to the beating whenwork. There is no need to talk about quality work in this case either. Such a machine will break the blade rather than sharpen it.
Sharpening of serrated knives is also ambiguous. You can place them in the grooves only in one position, regardless of the relief of the blade. Accordingly, the device will sharpen them only in those places where the grinding wheel will come into contact with the metal. Which can be far different from the desired relief.
As for screwdrivers, the device cuts them rather than forms new edges on the sides. This will remove the broken tip instead of sharpening the tool.
