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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

Chef’s Choice M1520 vs Trizor Sharpener Comparison

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Should I get the Chef’s Choice M1520 versus Trizor? The features seem to be the same, right? Let’s take a deep look…

Are you trying to figure out if you want the M1520 versus the Trizor? Yep, it’s not an easy decision. Any enthusiast knows sharpening knives is no game. When you finally decided to invest in a new sharpener, a lot of research is required, and it’s not a decision that can be made quickly.

You’ve finally decided you want the best electric sharpener. Let’s face it, they’re a lot easier to handle and get the job done quickly.

You know you want a Chef’s Choice because they’re one of the top sharpener companies. Now, you just don’t know if you should go with the Trizor or the M1520 AngleSelect. The problem is that it’s pretty darn hard to figure out why they are different based on the description at Amazon.

There are a lot of similarities between these two models, but there are also a few things that separate them. If you are in a hurry, I will break it down fast for you:

Chef’s Choice 1520 versus Trizor XV

The 1520 is for people that:

  • Want to sharpen knives to 15º and 20º
  • Want to sharpen Asian style knives (i.e. 15º) and European and American knives (i.e. 20º)
  • See the 1520 at Amazon

The Trizor XV is for people that:

  • Want to sharpen knives to 15º
  • Want to convert knives with 20º angle factory edges to 15º
  • Want to sharpen Asian style knives (i.e. 15º) and European and American knives (i.e. 20º)
  • See the Trizor XV at Amazon

Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect

The Trizor XV features include the ability to sharpen

  • American & European (20º)
  • Asian style knives (15º)
  • straight edge blades
  • serrated blades, like bread knives

It can take a knife with a 20º edge down to a 15º edge for maximum sharpness and performance.

It has three stages of sharpening:

  • The first is a diamond abrasive, useful for even the dullest blades.
  • The second is a flexible abrasive, used for most sharpening.
  • The third is a stropping disk for final touches and polishes.

It automatically adjusts to the correct angle for whatever knife you are sharpening.

And finally, it comes with a three-year warranty.

The best feature on this sharpener is the ability to create a triple bevel. That’s a very durable blade which is great since a 15º angle is really, really sharp!

For anyone who might not know the importance of a triple bevel, there are three advantages to this. Read more about knife angles and edges.

  1. It creates a sharper than factory created edge, the sharpest edge you can get.
  2. It won’t harm the blade in any way.
  3. A triple bevel tends to last longer than a standard sharpening, so you won’t have to sharpen as often.

The Trizor is definitely worth the money, and it has a great reputation with its owners.

The majority of customers were very pleased with this product. Many said the Trizor puts a sharp edge on a knife in almost no time at all, it’s easy to use and works well with all kinds of knives found in the kitchen. But, a few customers say this sharpener does not work for Japanese knives, and it actually scratched or damaged knives with only mediocre sharpening results.

The Chef’s Choice Trizor XV EdgeSelect is excellent in converting traditional household knives into well-sharpened knives. It can take knife thickness of 20 degrees edge-for American and European knives- to 15 degrees edge thus guarantees maximum sharpness. They have advanced stropping stage for sharpening serrated blades. This sharpener has three stages of sharpening system thus ensuring perfect edge of knives. It features spring guides that enhance accurate control of the sharpening angle thus producing ultra-sharp edges quickly.

I can’t comment on those users specifically, but I would say that you should always practice using a sharpener before you use it on a precious knife. Basically, the user may not have been comfortable using the XV Trizor yet.

Chef’s Choice 1520 AngleSelect Diamond Hone

It also features three stages of sharpening and can be used for straight, serrated and double beveled knives. It will put a 20-degree angle on American and European knives, and a 15-degree angle on Asian knives. It has two diamond abrasives for sharpening and a stropping disk for polishing. Finally, it also comes with a three-year warranty.

The catch is that this:

  • If you have a 15º knife, then you need to use Stage 1 and Stage 3.
  • If you have a 20º angle, then you need to use Stage 2 and Stage 3.

The cool part is that if you use all 3 stages, then you have a really durable edge – a compound edge or double beveled edge.

The best feature on this sharpener is that it works really well for Asian knives at 15º. Asian knives require a different angle than other ‘standard’ knives at 20º, and while many sharpeners claim to be compatible, this one really is. It can get the precise angle needed to get just about any Asian knife razor sharp.

The AngleSelect sells for a little over $160 retail, and it has a similar level of customer satisfaction. Basically, people love it!

The chef’s choice 1520 is versatile because it can adapt to different knife edges especially 15-degrees and 20-degrees class knives. It can also be used to sharpen serrated, sports, pocket and kitchen knives. It’s easy to use with a well-designed spring guide ensuring no guesswork. It can take knife thickness of 20 degrees to 15 degrees that guarantee maximum sharpness. It can adjust itself to hold the correct angle for sharpening your knife.

Customers really like this product. They say it works well, even on the hardest of steel, and is a great sharpener for Asian knives. They even say it can correct any issues that might have been created by an inexperienced knifeman trying to sharpen by hand.

Presto Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

This sharpener can hold knives of different thickness, i.e., thick chef’s knives, and a thin filet. It has an adjustable blade guide that holds the blades at your preferred sharpening angel. Also, it has a slider that allows choosing medium, thick or thin blades. It produces super sharp knives with its extra-fine-grit ceramic wheel sharpener.

Brod and Taylor Knife Sharpener

The Brod and Taylor sharpener comes with a modern art manual that is easy to understand. The angle inserted in the sharpener determines the sharpness of a knife. It adjusts itself and sharpens the blade to its perspective, thus no need to know the edge angle for it to grind correctly. Better yet, Brod and Taylor’s sharpeners are made of tungsten carbide that lasts long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the comparison between Chef’s Choice knife sharpeners and other sharpening options?

They are excellent quality sharpeners that can put a sharp edge on any knife within 10-15 seconds. There are two options available for knife sharpening that can give you similar results, i.e., sharpening stones and sharpening done by a professional. Many people prefer sharpening stones because it’s less practical and is easy to use. Using a professional provides sharp knives. However, it’s costly and time-consuming. The charge of sharpening knives ranges between $5 and $10 per blade. The chef’s choice knife sharpener is flexible since it lets you hone your knife whenever you want on a regular basis.

Can I sharpen my knives on a daily basis or how often should I hone them?

Sharpening your knives depends on what purpose you use them and how frequently. If they are dull, you need to sharpen them following the instructions provided in the manual. Also, you can sharpen the knife by stropping its edge on the polishing disks.

Is it necessary to clean Chef’s Choice sharpeners?

If the stropping disks are dirty, they need to be cleaned. The sharpener has a diamond dressing pad that can be used to remove accumulated food debris off the surface. I would recommend that you clean the knives thoroughly before sharpening them. Also, the exterior of the blade should be kept clean by wiping with a damp cloth, and it’s vital to avoid using detergents or abrasives.

What are the main features of the Chef’s Choice Trizor XV Sharpener EdgeSelect model?

The Trizor XV model has an edge-select feature meaning that it lets you add micro-flutes on your blade for a perfect bite into your intended vegetables or meat. Better yet, using the chef’s choice Trizor XV, you can get the best edge possible within a few seconds. Also, it has three stages of sharpening thus ensuring that your knife is thoroughly sharpened and it comes with three years of warranty.

Can I use the Chef’s Choice sharpeners to sharpen serrated knives?

All the models of the chef’s choice electric sharpeners are designed to sharpen straight edges including those of serrated knives. Knives are straightened and re-aligned using either model 120 or 130, and stage three is used to sharpen the serrated knives.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, either one of these sharpeners is a great product. The main thing to consider here is if you will be sharpening a lot of Asian style knives. If so, the AngleSelect is the way to go. However, if you are looking for a sharpener that will create a triple bevel, the Trizor is the right choice for you.

The right knife for the job: Check out my review of the best knives for trimming meat. And if you want to slice bread the right way, get a good bread slicer. I picked the best ones…

Kitchen Professor author
About the Author: Bryce Heitman

Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.

4 thoughts on “Chef’s Choice M1520 vs Trizor Sharpener Comparison”

  1. Great reviews. I am trying to make a decision between the Trizor XV and the Wusthof 3 Stage sharpeners. I am wondering if the Wusthof also puts a triple bevel on the edge of the blade as you described the Trizor as doing. Other than that, the two seem very comparable (besides the 14 vs 15 degree). If you have any thoughts between the two, let me know.

    Reply
    • Hi Joel, I am not sure about the triple bevel for the Wusthof and I’ve had trouble finding it.

      If you have several Wusthofs, then I’d go for that one, but otherwise I’d probably get the Trizor. Under the hood, they’re both made by Chefs Choice so the build quality will be the same.

      Let me know what you decide.

      Reply
      • What are advantages and disadvantages of sharpening a 20 degree knife to a 15 degree knife and is it better to sharpening 20 degree knife 20 degree

        Reply
  2. Great review, sharp and to the point, the difference between a 1520 and the Trizor is the ability to create a triple bevel opposed to picking 15º or 20º with the 1520.

    Reply

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