Yoshikin 220/GB MinoSharp Water Sharpener

by Global

Product Features

• Two ceramic wheels (coarse and fine) sharpen knives
• Recommended for Global knives only
• Cannot be used for one-sided cutting edges
• Plastic handle with soft, rubber-like grip
• 8 inches long

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 2.8 x 1.8 inches ; 5.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005OL3L
• Item model number: 220/GB
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,624 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #58 in Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Knives & Cutlery Accessories > Knife Sharpeners

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Recommended for sharpening Global knives but not necessarily those from other manufacturers, this device employs two ceramic wheels--one coarse, the other fine--to return a dull knife to working order. Using the sharpener is simple and easy. Fill the wheels' compartment with water so your blade is continuously washed while it's being sharpened. Then draw a knife seven or eight times through the coarse (white) wheel. Then draw your blade seven or eight times through the fine (pink) wheel to bring it back to life. The sharpener's plastic handle is shaped so it can be gripped firmly and safely and has a soft, rubber-like insert for comfort. --Fred Brack

Product Description

This sharpener can be used on Global knives except serrated knives and those with a traditional Japanese edge.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect tool, March 17, 2004

By 

Charles A. Fulton (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoshikin 220/GB MinoSharp Water Sharpener (Kitchen)

This is a great aid to sharpen Global knives. I disagree with the review that said it dulled the knives. The tool has ceramic wheels set at the proper angles to get the correct Japanese set to these knives, which have different angles to each side of the blade. After 8-9 passes - with no pressure on the knife - through the rougher and then the finer wheels, the knife is ALMOST back to factory condition. Then, it is necessary to use a fine DIAMOND hone to get that last degree of razor sharpness. And make no mistake, a properly sharpened Global knife is that sharp, and this tool makes it easy to keep them razor sharp. Instead of a diamond hone, you can also use a very fine waterstone to hone them, but trust me, the diamond hone is easiest, although it does not leave the edge quite as polished as the finest waterstones. This tool and a diamond hone let me return my Global knives to scary sharp in less than 5 minutes each. They are so sharp that whenever I sharpen them, I warn my wife that they are super sharp (as opposed to very sharp!), just to make sure that she is extra-careful when she uses them.

Now, having said that, the package states that it is recommended for Global knives, and no one should use this tool on anything other than Global knives, or similar Japanese-style knives. It is not meant for European-style knives, whose blades have a different set.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp, May 12, 2006

By 

Isaac R. Sparks (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yoshikin 220/GB MinoSharp Water Sharpener (Kitchen)

I'm not sure how people are banging up their knives using this simple, effective sharpener. Slow down, folks. Take your time.

I own a number of Global knives, and sharpen them all using the MinoSharp with tremendous success. I've even had luck sharpening Henckel and Wusthof knives with this. I enjoy using it, and when I'm done, my knives are like new.

38 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little better than the Chef's Choice, November 28, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yoshikin 220/GB MinoSharp Water Sharpener (Kitchen)

Produces an OK edge, faster than and sharper than the similar Chef's Choice, but the knife still needs a few quick swipes with a steel to be really sharp, at least for me. Works for both Global and non-Global knives.