BE1

Overview

The Hobart BE1 knife sharpener is a countertop machine for putting a better edge on flat-bladed knives. It sharpens by applying the blade edge against a grit-bearing belt moving at the specified optimum speed. During use, the knife rests flat against the guide plate while the operator moves it smoothly along the sharpening area.

The BE1 includes unloader wheels that lift the blade away from the belt if excessive pressure is applied. According to the manual, this helps prevent over-pressure and the overheating that can reduce a blade’s temper and cutlery life. The unit’s suction-cup feet hold it in place on a suitable counter, table or workbench.

Key Features

• Grit-bearing sharpening belt: The moving belt sharpens the edge of flat-bladed knives.
• Guide plate: Provides the surface against which the knife is held during sharpening.
• Unloader wheels: Lift the blade off the belt if too much pressure is applied.
• Belt tracking adjustment: The adjustment knob centres the belt while the sharpener is running.
• On/off switch and circuit breaker: The switch operates the sharpener; the circuit breaker can be reset using its button if it trips.
• Suction-cup feet: Help hold the unit in place on a suitable work surface.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hobart
• Model: BE1
• Equipment type: Knife sharpener
• Knife type stated in the manual: Flat-bladed knives
• Electrical data: 120 V, 60 Hz, single phase, 10.4 A
• Feet: Five suction feet are listed in the replacement-parts breakdown.
• Controls: On/off switch, circuit breaker and belt-tracking adjustment knob
• Replacement belt listing: Part 438504, listed as a box of six belts. The parts list says the box includes one each of drive fasteners 438336 and 438336-2, and six each of unloader wheels 438328.
• Other named belt-drive components: Drive wheels, belt tension spring and bottom spring tensioner.

Installation & Requirements

Unpacking and location

After unpacking the BE1, check it for shipping damage. If damage is found, the manual instructs the recipient to save the packaging material and contact the carrier within 15 days of delivery. Before installation, test the electrical service and confirm that it agrees with the specifications on the data plate on the right side of the housing.

Place the sharpener on a suitable counter, table or workbench where its suction-cup feet can hold it in place. The manual does not specify a required clearance, countertop dimensions or ventilation provision.

Electrical connection

The BE1 electrical data is 120 V, 60 Hz, single phase, 10.4 A. Its electrical cord is supplied with a three-prong grounding plug. The receptacle must be properly grounded. If it is not the proper grounding type, the manual directs the user to contact an electrician.

Operation

Sharpening a knife

1. Clean and dry the knife before sharpening.
2. Turn the sharpener on.
3. Insert the knife into the sharpening area with its handle next to the housing.
4. Hold the knife flat against the guide plate and slide it down the plate until it contacts the unloader wheels.
5. Move the knife smoothly and continuously to the right or left at a rate of one inch per second.
6. Turn the knife over and repeat the procedure on the other side, moving it in the opposite direction.

For a knife’s first sharpening on the BE1, the manual says the procedure may need to be repeated four or five times on each side. After the knife has been sharpened, one pass per side should be required. The unloader wheels help prevent excessive pressure: if too much force is applied, they lift the blade off the belt. The manual cautions that excessive pressure can overheat the blade, causing loss of temper and reduced cutlery life.

Controls

The on/off switch turns the sharpener on and off. The circuit breaker breaks the circuit if the current exceeds one ampere, according to the manual. If it trips, turn off the sharpener, then press the circuit-breaker button to restore the circuit. The adjustment knob centres the belt track while the machine is on.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The manual warns not to immerse the sharpener. Unplug it before cleaning, servicing or removing parts, and replace parts before operating the machine again. It does not provide a cleaning schedule or detailed cleaning procedure.

Replacing the sharpening belt

Turn the machine off and unplug the electrical cord before performing maintenance. To replace the belt, loosen the two knurled screws and remove the side panel. Press down on the bottom spring tensioner to loosen the belt, then remove it from the drive wheels.

With the belt removed, inspect the unloader wheels. The manual says they can be replaced if worn or cut. To remove a wheel, squeeze the shaft on its nylon pin and remove both the wheel and pin. To install a replacement, insert a new nylon pin through the hole in the housing or side panel, then fit a new unloader wheel onto the pin’s shaft so it sits snugly against the side panel or housing.

Fit the new belt around the two drive wheels. Press down on the bottom spring tensioner to position the belt on the drive wheels, then reinstall the side panel with its two knurled screws. When installing a new belt, turn the adjustment knob on the right side until the belt is centred. Check that it tracks in the centre and does not rub against the housing.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The sharpener will not run. Check the electrical power supply and the on/off switch. If the circuit breaker has tripped, press its button to reset it, following the manual’s instruction to turn off the sharpener first. For service problems related to the equipment, the manual advises contacting a local Hobart-authorized service office.

Applications

The BE1 is intended for sharpening flat-bladed knives. Its guided, belt-based process is suited to routine knife care in commercial kitchen work areas where knives are used for food preparation. Follow the manual’s instructions for blade position, smooth movement and light enough pressure to avoid overheating the blade.