Chef'sChoice Model 120 Electric Knife Sharpener review

Model 120 is a corded countertop sharpener for shoppers who want the maker's three-stage EdgeSelect system rather than a stone, clamp, or abrasive belt. Its official US page identifies SKU 0120000 and describes it for 20-degree-class knives. The useful distinction is the work assigned to each stage: this is not simply a powered V-slot that runs every blade through the same sequence, and it is not the two-stage Model 320 or Diamond UltraHone 312.

Three stages, with different jobs

The Model 120 instructions describe two precision conical sharpening and honing stages using fine diamond abrasives, followed by a third stage of flexible abrasive disks for polishing and stropping. For a straight edge that is new to the sharpener or very dull, the manual says to start with Stage 1; Stage 2 refines the edge and Stage 3 polishes it. For ordinary resharpening, the booklet says Stage 3 may be sufficient, with Stage 2 used less often and Stage 1 reserved for heavier work. The instructions also describe different stage sequences for a smooth edge and for more residual bite, rather than treating every knife as one generic sharpening job.

That sequence gives the machine a more involved routine than the Model 320's two-stage diamond-and-polishing arrangement. Model 120's page and instructions describe a third distinct polishing stage; the two machines should not be collapsed into one review because the number and role of the stages are practical differences. The current page calls Model 120 a 20-degree-class system. The booklet says the angles become several degrees larger from one stage to the next, but does not give a quantified per-side convention in the instructions reviewed here. Our 20-degree filter therefore follows the page's stated class and is not a finding about the existing bevel on any particular knife.

Serrations are a separate procedure

For serrated edges, the manual is unusually clear: ordinary sharpening uses Stage 3 only. It says five to ten alternating pairs of pulls are generally adequate, with more needed for a very dull edge. If serrations are severely damaged, it allows one quick pull through each Stage 2 slot before returning to Stage 3; it warns that too much Stage 2 work removes more metal from the teeth than necessary. That exception is not an invitation to use the plain-edge stages routinely, nor does the maker's 20-degree-class label describe a serration angle. A shopper choosing a motorized method for serrations should read this separate sequence before buying and should not assume that the same process applies to another model.

The page also lists several knife families, including kitchen, pocket, hunting, and sporting knives, and the manual covers knives with straight or serrated edges. That broad category description is not a guarantee that every blade will fit: the instructions explicitly say not to insert blades that do not fit freely. They also prohibit scissors and axes. If non-knife tools are central to your routine, Model 120 is the wrong documented answer even though its page includes many different knife categories.

Ownership details that change the fit

This is an indoor household appliance that belongs on a stable counter or table, not a field sharpener. The manual calls for clean blades, a smooth, continuous pull, light pressure, and unplugging before cleaning. It says not to add honing oil, water, or other lubricant. Its Stage 3 dressing control is a maintenance feature for cleaning/reshaping the finishing disks when they become glazed or lose effectiveness; the instructions caution that dressing removes material and should not be used casually. The manufacturer lists a three-year limited warranty, subject to its stated conditions, but an offer should still be checked for exact model identity, condition, and warranty eligibility.

The Stage 3 disks are described as polishing and stropping abrasives, but that does not establish that a separate leather strop comes in the box. The exact manufacturer page and manual reviewed here do not verify a leather accessory package. If a leather strop is a hard requirement, filter for an exact package that explicitly lists one rather than treating “stropping” in a machine description as equivalent.

Who should compare it, and who should pass

Model 120 is worth comparing when a buyer wants a powered, guided routine, has knives covered by the maker's stated 20-degree class, and values a dedicated finishing stage with a documented serration procedure. It is a poor match for someone seeking manual angle control, a portable system, a 15-degree path, scissors support, waterstone work, or a verified included leather strop. The 15XV is a separate three-stage option whose current page uses a 15-degree-class label; the AngleSelect 1520 documents separate 15- and 20-degree paths; neither should be treated as equivalent to Model 120's single stated class and stage design.

This is a research-based reading of the manufacturer's product page and instructions, not a hands-on review. No sharpening test, measured edge result, speed comparison, durability test, ownership claim, current price, or stock claim is made. Before purchase, confirm that the listing says Model 120 / 0120000, check the package and seller's condition terms, read the exact manual, and compare its stated class with your knife maker's guidance. The finder can show other documented plans, but its matching label cannot certify compatibility for an individual blade.