Shoppers weighing the Chef’s Choice M1520 mix up two different questions. One is which angle a knife needs. The other is which machine can switch between angles without a second purchase.
The M1520 AngleSelect exists for that second question. It sets up two dedicated stages, one for a 15 degree edge and one for a 20 degree edge. A stropping stage then finishes either one.
That covers most Asian style blades on one setting. It covers most Western blades on the other. Below is what it gets right, where owner reports say it falls short, and how it compares to the Trizor XV.
What Actually Matters in a Three Stage Electric Sharpener
A three stage design only earns its price if each stage does a distinct job. Stage one and two need to fix a genuinely dull edge fast. Stage three should refine that edge into something that shaves rather than tears.
Angle flexibility matters more than most buyers expect. A knife ground at 15 degrees gets a thinner edge suited to vegetables and fish. A knife ground at 20 degrees gets a sturdier edge that holds up to bone.
For a full breakdown of the category, see how these three stage electrics stack up against every other sharpener style we cover.
Guide slots are the last piece. They hold the blade at the correct angle automatically. That is the whole point of an electric over a stone, though very small blades like pocket knives do not always sit in those slots cleanly.
Chef’s Choice M1520 AngleSelect Compared
| Model | Type | Best for | Price band | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef’s Choice M1520 AngleSelect | Electric, 3 stage diamond | Mixed Asian and Western knife blocks | around $150 to $200 | |
| Chef’s Choice Trizor XV | Electric, 3 stage diamond | Converting a 20 degree edge to 15 | $$$ | Price |
| Chef’s Choice 320/4633 | Electric, 2 stage diamond | Budget upkeep on standard 20 degree knives | $ | Price |
| Work Sharp Culinary E5 | Electric, belt style | Faster repairs on very dull or damaged edges | $$$ | Price |
What Owners Report
The manufacturer lists 100 percent diamond abrasives across all three stages. The stropping disks do the final polish on either edge. Diamond is hard enough to cut steel without wearing down quickly itself.
Owner reports on retailer pages repeatedly mention a quiet, steady motor. It gets through a full block of knives without bogging down. Several reviews call out good results on serrated bread knives and heavier hunting knives too.
The recurring complaint is narrower than the praise. One experienced reviewer noted that small pocket knives do not sit cleanly in the guide slots. No pattern of excess metal removal or chipped edges turned up in the reports we could verify, though the sample was small.
Before your first session, see exactly how to run a blade through each stage on this machine.
Chef’s Choice Trizor XV: The Closest Alternative
Chef’s Choice Trizor XV EdgeSelect
Best for Bevel Conversion
Three stage electric | diamond abrasive | premium price band
This one is built as a taper conversion sharpener. It takes a 20 degree edge and gradually converts it toward 15 degrees over repeated sharpenings. There is no switching between two fixed presets.
It shares the same diamond and stropping layout as the M1520. Read our full look at the Trizor XV if you want the deeper comparison. Owner reports mention some inconsistency with certain thin Japanese blades during conversion, which the M1520 avoids by keeping its two stages separate.
Pros
- Converts a whole block toward one consistent 15 degree angle
- Same diamond and stropping quality as the M1520
Cons
- Less suited to a mixed block that needs both angles
- Some thin Japanese blades reported as inconsistent during conversion
Cheaper and Faster Alternatives
Chef’s Choice 320/4633
Best Budget
Two stage electric | diamond hone with stropping disks | budget price band
This is the stripped down option for routine touch ups on standard 20 degree kitchen knives. The manufacturer lists it as a two stage diamond hone with a stropping finish. It skips the 15 degree preset entirely.
Owner reports treat it as a maintenance tool rather than a repair tool. It suits knives that are already close to sharp. If you want the wider lineup first, how the rest of the Chef’s Choice line compares covers that ground.
Pros
- Inexpensive routine maintenance
- Simple two stage operation
Cons
- No 15 degree stage for Asian style knives
- Not built for genuinely dull or damaged edges
Work Sharp Culinary E5
Best for Damaged Edges
Belt style electric | guided belt | premium price band
This is a belt driven design instead of fixed abrasive wheels. That removes metal faster on a genuinely damaged or chipped edge. The tradeoff is a steeper learning curve than fixed slots.
Owner reports mention it as the pick when a knife needs real repair, not routine upkeep. Skip it if your knives are only mildly dull. Fixed guide slots make that job easier for most home cooks.
Pros
- Fast metal removal on damaged edges
- Belt drive handles repair work that fixed slots do slowly
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than fixed guide slots
- Belts wear and eventually need replacing
Mistakes to Avoid With This Type of Sharpener
The biggest mistake is guessing the factory angle instead of checking it. Running a 20 degree knife through the 15 degree stage repeatedly thins the edge faster than it needs. Running a 15 degree knife through the 20 degree stage builds an edge duller than the maker intended.
If you are not sure of the factory angle, check where your knife’s factory angle actually falls before your first pass. The second mistake is skipping the stropping stage to save time. That stage is what turns a sharpened edge into a genuinely refined one.
The bottom line: The Chef’s Choice M1520 earns its price for a mixed knife block that needs both a 15 and a 20 degree option. If your knives are all one style, the Trizor XV or the budget 320/4633 will likely serve you as well for less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Chef’s Choice M1520 work on Japanese knives?
Yes, through its 15 degree stage. Many Japanese and other Asian style knives are ground close to 15 degrees. Most Western knives sit at the 20 degree standard instead.
What is the real difference between the 15 and 20 degree stage?
The 15 degree stage removes less metal and builds a thinner edge suited to Asian style blades. What a 15 degree edge is built for covers the tradeoffs in more depth.
Can it sharpen serrated knives?
The manufacturer lists it as compatible with straight edge and serrated knives, including bread knives, using the same guided slots.
How does it compare to the Trizor XV?
Both use three stages with diamond abrasives and a stropping finish. The M1520 keeps its 15 and 20 degree stages separate. The Trizor XV instead converts a 20 degree edge toward 15 over time.
Is a diamond hone electric worth it over a whetstone?
For most home cooks, yes, mainly for consistency. A guided electric removes the angle guesswork that makes freehand stone work hard to learn. A stone still gives finer control once you know the technique.
Our guide to sharpening the rest of your knife block by hand walks through that technique.
Sources
- Chef’s Choice by EdgeCraft: Product listing and specifications for the AngleSelect Model 1520. https://chefschoice.com/products/chefschoice-diamond-hone-angleselect-sharpener-model-1520