Chef’s Choice 220 Hybrid review
What good is a knife if it’s dull? The truth is that if you’re going to invest in a razor sharp knife, you might as well put the same effort to look into a quality knife sharpener. That’s where the Chef’s Choice 220 sharpener comes in, a product that features unique Hybrid technology that essentially combines both manual and electric sharpening into one great system.
First, let’s dive into the features and specs behind this great machine. Then, we’ll get into a helpful Q&A that hopefully will enhance your ability to best determine if this sharpener is worth your money.
But first, let’s also quickly compare the 220 to a few other notable knife sharpeners on the market today. In the table below, you’ll notice that we have compared the 220 to other popular electric sharpeners, namely ones made by Chef’s Choice and Presto.
| Photo | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Chef's Choice 250 Diamond | $$ |
 | Presto 08800 EverSharp | $ |
 | Chef's Choice 15 Trizor XV | $$$ |
 | Edge Pro Apex | $$$ |
 | Presto 08810 | $$ |
 | Chef’s Choice 130 | $$$ |
Chef’s Choice 220 review: Key features
The 220 Hybrid knife sharpener by Chef’s Choice is a two-stage electric and manual knife sharpener. The ‘coarse’ sharpening stage is electric, while the ‘fine’ honing stage is manual. Both stages feature diamond abrasives for lasting sharpening ability.
Some key feature and specifications are as follows:
- 100% diamond honed abrasives and a criss-cross pattern creates a nice sharp edge.
- Diamond abrasive wheels sharpen simultaneously to ensure a burr free edge.
- Measures 7.3×3.2×4 inches and weighs 4.8 pounds.
- The colors are white on black.
- Costs around $40.00, making it an inexpensive choice for those on a tight budget.
Below, please take a moment to view some of the best-selling knife sharpeners currently for sale on Amazon:
| BEST SELLERS |
|---|
1) Presto 08800 |
2) Chef’s Choice 4643 |
3) Chef's Choice 320 |
4) Presto 08810 |
5) Chef's Choice 250 |
Memorable Features of the 220
The 220 has several nice feature, one of which is the ability to use the honing side without making any noise. This really comes in handy when you’re making a late night snack (and need a sharp knife to do so), as you won’t wake up others who are sleeping soundly in your household.
The small size of this kitchen knife sharpener means it doesn’t take up much counter space, and it is also easy to store, if needed. This appliance provides a very serviceable edge to most common kitchen knives, and does so with minimum effort.
The 1 year limited warranty also helps provide a little piece of mind, should the unit have any problems.
A Couple Drawbacks
Every product has one or two drawbacks, and the 220 is no different.
First, there are some durability issues with this sharpener. Things like broken housing where the plastic covering has become separated from the main unit have been noted by one or two online customer reviews, and the wheels have worn out on some units.
Many of these “issues” are very likely user related than problems with the design itself, and with a little TLC, this sharpener will likely have a decent useful lifespan.
The most common error when using this or any other knife sharpener is pushing too hard, which causes both the knife and the sharpener to wear out more quickly than normal.
The unit also has relatively smaller slots for the blades than other units, and this limits what types of knives can be used with this sharpener. Knives such as hunting knives, boot knives, or heavy-duty high-end chef knives can’t be used with this sharpener. However, considering this unit was intended for the home market and not professional use, this shouldn’t prove to be much of a problem for the average user.
The other common complaint is that the sharpener can’t sharpen near the base of the knife. Again, for most purposes this is a non-issue. Since most of the cutting action of a knife occurs near the tip and down the first 2/3 of the blade, the base of the blade is rarely used when cutting. Considering that the unit isn’t really suitable for fillet knives due to it’s approximately 20-22 degree bevel, or hunting knives because of the thin slots, there really isn’t a need for it sharpen the entire length of the blade down to the hilt.
Question and Answer for the 220
Now, let’s get into a little question and answer session pertaining to this sharpener.
Can this sharpener sharpen scissors? Answer: No. Please do not attempt to put scissors into this sharpener. It wasn’t designed to sharpen scissors.
Can this sharpener work on 220 voltage? Answer: No. 110 volt only.
Will the Chef’s Choice 220 sharpen pocket knives? Answer: It depends. It’s recommended you that you attempt to sharpen longer knives than shorten ones, so that it properly fits into the slit on the machine.
Can I sharpen ceramic knives with this sharpener? Answer: No. That’s because ceramic knives are meant to have permanent edges. Therefore, you can’t—or put simply, you shouldn’t—sharpen a ceramic knife.
Does the 220 take batteries? Answer: No, it comes with a cord.
Will the 220 sharpen serrated edges? Answer: This 220 will not sharpen the groove or valley of a serrated edge blade. With that said, it will sharpen the “points,” should they become dull.
Comparison to the Competition
The 220 fares well as a budget entry into the electric knife sharpening niche. While not as attractive in appearance as the Presto 08800 EverSharp, it does accomplish the same task, and for about $10 less.
It isn’t fully electric though, so it is a bit slower. But again, sometimes it’s nice to be able to use a knife sharpener to hone a blade quickly without having to plug it in. It is also easier to use than the 08800, and less likely to damage a blade, though it may not impart as sharp an edge as it’s competitor.
While it really can’t compare with a three-stage sharpener, a three-stage sharpener can’t compete with the 220’s price either.
One other benefit of the manual honing is that it doesn’t wear down the blade as much as pure electric sharpener. In particular, the Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect model really wears down a blade, shortening its lifespan. The 220 doesn’t have this issue, which will help the owner save money over time.
When compared to the traditional sharpening methods like a stone or a steel, or the more recent hand-held knife sharpeners, the 220 is much faster. And while it is not possible to select an angle for sharpening, the ability to quickly sharpen many knives in a short period of time more than makes up for this shortcoming.
It also takes very little skill compared to using a stone or a steel, as you simply slide the blade through a slot and it’s done. Very convenient for those who don’t have the time to learn how to use more traditional methods.
Conclusion
The Chef’s Choice 220 Hybrid isn’t the best knife sharpening product on the market. But for it’s price and ease of use, it is certainly a great option for the budget conscious shopper.
It will do a good job on most knives found in the typical kitchen, and save time while doing so. It is less expensive than a set of high-quality stones, and is faster and requires little practice as well. A good option for those who can’t afford or don’t want to spend a fortune on a sharpener, but want something to keep their knives in good working order.
Below, check out a very short video showing off the 220 Hybrid sharpener. Here, you’ll really be able to notice just how small and compact this sharpener is. And the great thing about that is that not only does that make the sharpener more easily portable, but at just 4.8 inches, it’ll easily be one of if not the lightest appliance in your entire kitchen.
For more on this sharpener, please watch the video below. And if you are someone deeply in need of a pocket knife sharpener, or any other sharpener for that matter, please don’t hesitate to revisit our homepage so that we can direct you accordingly.
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