Zwilling V-Edge Manual

Overview of V-Edge components

The science of knives

In order to correctly sharpen a knife, it is important to know the blade shape of the knife that requires sharpening.
PLEASE NOTE
Knives with only one side sharpened are not suitable for sharpening with the ZWILLING V-Edge. This also applies to the knife types crossed through on the right.

European knives usually possess a symmetrical edge. This means that the cutting angle is the same on both sides. This is approx. 15 degrees on each side among ZWILLING knives.
Examples are the Chinese chef's knife, carving knife and chef's knife (fig. A).

Japanese knives have a thinner blade than European knives. A thinner blade offers the advantage that they glide more easily through food. However, they are more sensitive to incorrect use.
All Japanese knives offered by ZWILLING and Miyabi have a smaller grinding angle of approx. 10 degrees on each side. This edge is extremely sharp due to the finely honed cutting edge.
Examples are the Santoku and Nakiri and all MIYABI knives (fig. B).

Changing the sharpening rods and angle adapters

When you remove the V-Edge from its packaging for the first time, the European angle adapter (A) and the coarse sharpening rods (blue) are already installed.

The ceramic sharpening rods may break from falling or being knocked.

Removing/changing the angle adapter: Reach into the V-Edge and simply pull the adapter up and out.

Changing the sharpening rods/grains: The upper end of the adapter features a cap with a tilt function. Tilt the cap open, remove the installed sharpening rods and insert the desired sharpening rods. Then tilt the cap closed again.

Inserting the angle adapter: Push the adapter down along the guide until you hear an audible click and the adapter distinctly clicks into place. Please ensure that you use the same type of adapter for both sides (A/A or B/B) and not (A/B).

Storing: The unused angle adapter (A or B) can be stored along with the inserted (and therefore also unused sharpening rods) in the base of the V-Edge to save space.

Careless handling can cause the sharpening rod to fall out the adapter.

Sharpening – your starting situation

1. Your knife is brand new or has been recently sharpened professionally.
   If you have a new knife than you'll achieve almost perfect sharpness by simply pulling your knife through the V-Edge, with the fine sharpening rods inserted three to four times before each use. Briefly clean your knife with a dry towel and begin cutting. Repeat this process before next use.
   
2. Your knife cuts well but could be sharper.
   Does cutting exact greater effort or do you have the feeling that the blade could glide through ingredients more easily? Test the sharpness of your knife with the tomato test. If the knife blade only squashes a ripe tomato, then it is no longer sufficiently sharp.
   It's now worth putting a little more work into sharpening the blade. The fine sharpening rods are no longer sufficient because too little material is removed from the dull blade.
   Sharpen your blade by first using the coarse sharpening rods – pulling the blade approximately ten times through the V-Edge – before again testing the result with a tomato. If you are still not satisfied, then repeat the process until you achieve a satisfactory result. Complete the process by switching to the fine sharpening rods and finely hone the edge by pulling the blade through approx. 10 times. The fine sharpening rods can now be left installed for use as described in Starting Situation I "Your knife is brand new".
   
3. Your knives are blunt and no longer cut.
   Very blunt knives can result from frequent use and a lack of sharpening or, for example, from using an improper cutting board. However, even the dullest blades can be sharpened with the V-Edge. The work involved here is greater than that describe in Starting Situation II. Double the sharpening process by pulling the blade approx. 20 times through the V-Edge before testing the result. Again, complete the process by switching to the fine sharpening rods and finely honing the edge.
   
4. ZWILLING sharpening service
   Naturally, ZWILLING also offers you a professional sharpening service. We recommend professional sharpening for blades that are badly damaged and feature breaks or nicks. More information on this is available at www.zwilling.com

TIP:
Place your V-Edge on your kitchen work surface within reach and insert sharpening rods with a fine grain. That way, you can simply pull your knives through the V-Edge a couple of times before each use and ensure that they stay sharp for a long time.

Sharpening – instructions

The V-Edge's exchangeable sharpening rods remove the correct amount of material from the blade depending on how blunt it is. If the knives are very blunt, use the coarse sharpening rods. For lightly dull knives, the finer sharpening rods are the correct choice. The finer the sharpening rods, the less material removed.

1. Place the V-Edge on a flat, non-slip surface.
   
2. Select the sharpening rods and angle adapter.
   
3. Hold the V-Edge with one hand and the knife with the other.
   
4. Hold the knife horizontal and pull it downwards towards you as illustrated.
   
   Pull through the middle to prevent scratching the blade.
5. Repeat step 4 (frequency is determined by the initial condition of the knife and the sharpening rods used). Use the tomato test to check whether the result is satisfactory or if further sharpening is required.
6. If desired, switch to finer sharpening rods for an even better result. If a greater amount of material needs removing from the blade, insert coarser sharpening rods.

Knives with a serrated edge may not be sharpened with the V-Edge.

Also watch our video tutorial on correct use at www.zwilling.com. You can also simply scan the QR code with your smartphone camera.

Do not sharpen knives when holding them as follows:

How do I check that the knife is now sharp?
The best way is with the tomato test. If you don't have a tomato handy, then you can use another type of vegetable or fruit to test the sharpness of your knife.

Once you've finished sharpening your knife, it should carefully be rinsed under running water to remove dust from the sharpening.

Questions & problems

1. I don't know if I should choose the adapter for European or Japanese blades.
   If this information doesn't clarify the issue for you, you can also decide for yourself if your knife should be sharpened using adapter A or adapter B, which tends to achieve a sharper blade. When deciding, please remember that changing from A to B requires a significantly longer sharpening period. Adapter A always provides a sharp edge faster because less material is removed.
2. Is my knife perhaps too blunt to even be able to sharpen it? Is it possible that there is even the risk that I'll damage the V-Edge with a knife that's too blunt?
   A blunt knife cannot damage the V-Edge. The device is made for sharpening. Incredibly blunt knives require a lot of material to be removed to sharpen them. In such cases, the knife you perhaps be sent to a sharpening service.
3. How do I know when the sharpening rods are worn down?
   The sharpening rods are somewhat worn down by use over a long time but they do have a very long lifespan. You can use all four sides of the sharpening rods. Moreover, the sharpening rods can be cleaned with a sponge to once again remove a little more material.
4. Won't sharpening my knives before each use remove too much material?
   The amount of material removed is very small. No damage results from continued use. The device is made for this.
5. Is it possible to sharpen a cleaver with the V-Edge?
   This is not possible. Neither Western nor Japanese blades have an attributable angle. The cleaver has a very blunt angle. This makes it impossible to sharpen with the V-Edge.
6. Where can I find more information about the ZWILLING Sharpening Service?
   More information on this is available at www.zwilling.com.
7. Are additional sharpening rods available to buy? Which types are available?
   Sharpening rods can be purchase separately as accessories:
   Blue 32605-100-0
   Green 32605-200-0
   White 32605-300-0
   The angle adapters are also available in case one become defective:

   A	99970-426-0
   B	99970-427-0

   Information on this is available at www.zwilling.com.

Further information on the V-Edge is available at www.zwilling.com.

Cleaning

Cleaning the casing
Sharpening can result in a fine dust settling on the housing and in the guiding slot of the V-Edge. This can scratch the knife blade if it comes into contact with it when sharpening. We therefore recommend keeping the guiding slot clean with a non-abrasive, dry towel. Clean the V-Edge's housing as needed with a non-abrasive, dry or damp dishcloth and a gentle detergent. No moisture should be allowed into the V-Edge's interior.

Cleaning the interior
The dust that results from sharpening is extremely fine and doesn't usually disrupt the sharpening process. Cleaning the V-Edge's interior is therefore unnecessary. However, should it become especially dirty, you can loosen and remove the housing using a standard screwdriver. Once the housing has been removed, the V-Edge can be carefully cleaned using a dry brush or towel.

• Not dishwasher-safe
• Not water-resistant – please keep dry

Loosening the screws on the V-Edge and removing the housing invalidates the statutory warranty.

Regular use will eventually wear down the sharpening surface. However, all four sides of the square sharpening rods can be used up to 100,000 times. Should advanced wear occur, you can simply turn the sharpening rod 90° and use a different side.
If the sharpening stones demonstrate reduced performance, you can simply rinse them under running water and clean them with a soft sponge. Please do not use steel wool or similar implements.
The sharpening rods can be ordered with different grains for replacement or to have as extra, as needed.

Four sides usable

For your safety

Important information for your safety is specially labelled. Please heed this information to prevent accidents, injuries and damage:

Indicates information which, if not followed, may cause injury or death.

Indicates information which, if not followed, may cause damage to property.

Highlights useful tips and other information.
The ZWILLING V-Edge is designed to keep your kitchen knives sharp for many years to come. Please note that failure to follow this user manual may lead to injury or damage, for which we cannot accept liability.
For this reason, please read this user manual carefully before using the V-Edge. Failure to heed this manual may result in injury or damage to your appliance or knives.

Please ensure that the knife is always moved carefully through the middle of the guiding slot. Contact with the plastic housing may result in scratches to the knife blade and the plastic housing.

The ceramic sharpening rods may break from falling or being knocked.
Children and vulnerable adults
Increased risk of injury exists for certain categories of people:
This appliance may not be used by children.
This appliance may only be used by people with reduced physical, sensory or mental abilities or lacking experience and/or knowledge when under careful supervision or after having been instructed on its safe operation and after having been made aware of the resulting risks.
Maintenance or cleaning work on the appliance may not be carried out by children. Keep packaging materials out of reach of children. Risk of suffocation.
After use, store the appliance out of reach of children. Children may not play with this appliance.
If you discover a defect
A faulty appliance can lead to damage and injury: If you discover damage, immediately contact ZWILLING or our Customer Service. Never use a faulty appliance or defective accessories.
Do not attempt to repair the appliance yourself.

Always maintain a firm hold on the V-Edge's housing when using the appliance. Your fingers should always be to the side of the guiding slot – never in front or behind – to prevent risk of injury.
How and what you can use this appliance for
The V-Edge may only be used for sharpening standard retail knives with a smooth cutting edge. Additional information on its correct use is available under the section "Sharpening – instructions". Please note that incorrect use of the sharpening appliance may risk injury.
Use only those accessories supplied with delivery, or later reordered, with this appliance. Do not use the V-Edge in places where it is subjected to weather exposure. When choosing where to place this appliance, ensure that it offers sufficient space and a secure footing (especially when using it).

Documents / Resources

References

• ZWILLING Officiële online shop

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Zwilling V-Edge Manual