FAQs

Here you will find answers to the following questions: General / Ordering / Delivery / Payment / Returns / Exchanges

  • Where can I find the instruction manual?

    A quick start guide will soon be included with the devices. The full user manual can be found here.

  • How do I return an order?

    If you wish to cancel your contract within 14 days by means of a clear declaration, please use the cancellation form which you will find below. Please fill it out truthfully and completely and send it to us at the email address indicated on the cancellation form. Once we have received the goods, you will receive your money back from us within 14 days. For the sake of the environment, we would like to point out that by exercising your right of cancellation, you agree to bear the direct costs of returning the goods. We want to encourage informed purchasing decisions and keep returns to a minimum.

  • My device was damaged during shipping, what should I do next?

    If you receive your package visibly damaged, please document the damage with photos. If you have the opportunity to report the damage immediately upon receipt of the package, you are obligated to inform the delivery service that the damage may affect the goods inside, and the delivery person must note this for liability reasons. For damage to the device itself, please contact me via the contact form on the website; we will find a solution.

  • What should I do if the shipping costs for my country are not defined?

    If your country is not listed, please contact me for a customized quote. You can use the contact form for this purpose. All other shipping costs can be found here.

  • I would like to order from a non-EU country, is this possible?

    Yes, this is possible. Please contact me using the contact form on the website and I will gladly prepare a customized offer for your country.

  • I am a business owner with a VAT ID and would like to make an Intra-Community supply; is this possible?

    Of course, it is entirely possible that you will receive a tax-free intra-community delivery. In this case, please send an email with your order details to info@katocut.com. Since I am legally obligated to verify your VAT ID number, it may take some time before you receive an order confirmation by email; this confirmation does not yet constitute a binding agreement on our part. The contract is concluded upon shipment of the goods.

  • Can I, as a Swiss customer, order tax-free?

    Yes, a shipment from Austria to Switzerland can be VAT-exempt. I will prepare the necessary customs documents and handle the preliminary work with the customs authorities. Please note that the customer is solely responsible for further customs clearance and must pay any applicable fees.

  • I have no experience with bench stone sharpening; is a sharpening system still suitable for me?

    The system was designed so that no experience or prior knowledge is required to sharpen a knife. Simply follow the instructions and you'll see that after the first use you'll once again own a perfectly sharp knife.

  • I have already learned a sharpening technique using freehand water stones; can I apply this to the Nowi systems?

    Sharpening, like so many things, is a matter of practice. However, the experience of top chefs and restaurateurs has shown that even professionals reach their limits when sharpening freehand and cannot achieve the same level of sharpness as with an angle-stable system. Testimonials from renowned users, such as "the knife cuts up to 10 times longer and noticeably better," confirm the effectiveness of a Nowi sharpening system. This doesn't mean you can't apply your existing freehand sharpening technique to the Nowi system. The system is designed to keep the knife at a stable angle over the sharpening stone throughout the entire sharpening motion, from the tip to the handle. The movement of the knife remains entirely up to you and is not tied to any specific technique. The instruction manual outlines our recommended technique for achieving perfect results quickly and safely.

  • Where are the Nowi systems manufactured?

    Nowi Systems stands for quality and precision from Austria. I know our suppliers personally and work closely with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Austria. I am convinced that a knife sharpener that is on par with the best blades requires uncompromising standards in purchasing and manufacturing. That's why I use components from the precision mechanics and watchmaking industries, high-strength aluminum from aircraft construction, and high-grade stainless steel. These components give the product that certain charm that completes the perfection of the manufacturing process. For me, uncompromising means no cheap imports, components from reliable partners, and the shortest possible transport routes. This product makes a statement against the ingrained throwaway society and contributes to protecting our environment. The final product is assembled by hand and individually sealed. Before the device reaches you, the managing directors affix a seal to the case, because Katocut stands for exclusive products.

  • Is it possible to order spare parts for the device, or is there a repair option?

    Our devices are manufactured, assembled, and individually inspected with the utmost care. However, even in precision mechanics, wear parts are unavoidable, and depending on the intensity of use, these will eventually need to be replaced. Therefore, we naturally offer the option of ordering spare parts or having repairs carried out in-house. Please use the contact form or order the components from our online shop.

Good reasons for a NOWI sharpening system

SHARPNESS

Sharpening knives freehand is an art in itself, requiring considerable experience and, above all, skill. Problems mainly arise at the tip and when switching sides, as hardly anyone manages to maintain a precise and consistent sharpening angle across the entire area.
However, even minimal mistakes significantly reduce the knife's sharpness.
With NOWI, on the other hand, you achieve an absolute sharpness that was previously impossible to achieve manually.

VALUE RETENTION

Inferior "sharpening" devices at bargain prices can ruin expensive knives in seconds. However, similar disappointments can occur if you have your knives sharpened outside the home.
The reasons are manifold:
- The automated process leads to a high rate of blade wear, which unnecessarily reduces the substance.
- Often, the cooling is insufficient, so that the localized high heat development in the steel leads to structural changes, which in turn cause negative properties and reduce the lifespan of the blade.
- Furthermore, in many cases the grain is not fine enough, which leads to poor results when polishing and also negatively affects the sharpness.
Last but not least, sharpening knives outside the home quickly leads to high ongoing costs.

INNOVATION

Katocut uses exclusively extremely precise bearings from the field of precision mechanics for its devices.
These devices feature a safety margin, ensuring you benefit from maximum performance for many years. The patented power transmission is the core of the device. Even after several years, the deviation remains well below the level that could negatively impact the result. You therefore experience the highest possible and, above all, consistent sharpness across the entire cutting edge. Naturally, our devices can be used by both right- and left-handed users!

TRADITION

We don't use any electrical components in our knife sharpeners. And for good reason!
After all, Japan's fine blades have been honed on water stones for over 1000 years.
The result is well known: Japanese knives enjoy a first-class reputation all over the world.
We honor this time-honored and proven tradition with our products. Naturally, you will also find bench stones or bench stone sets with abrasives from Katocut in our online shop.

KATOCUT stands for Quality & Precision Made in Austria