Smith’s Compact Electric Knife Sharpener features electric and manual sharpening in one ergonomically designed, compact unit. This unique combination provides a broad capability to easily sharpen dull blades and maintain razor-sharp edges. The sharpening wheels on your Edge Pro Compact Electric Knife Sharpener are made from bonded synthetics. The synthetics used are selected for their ability to guarantee longer wheel life, uniform cutting, and minimum heat buildup so that de-tempering of your blade does not occur. Our wheels are manufactured according to strict tolerances to ensure the same high quality on each and every wheel that we make. The crossed ceramic rods in the manual slot are used for finishing or maintaining an already sharp blade. Crossed ceramic rods create a fixed sharpening angle that lightly hones both sides of your blade at the same time putting a polished, razor-sharp cutting edge on your knife with just a few quick pulls. Smith's recommends always using ceramic rods for final edge honing after you sharpen using the synthetic wheels.