Do you feel that your cutlery simply does not have the same razor-sharp performance as it once had? Only one solution is available if you wish to salvage your knives and that is to sharpen them. Don’t worry though as you don’t need to haul your set and have someone work on sharpening it, this is something that you can easily do yourself.
What you need though is a good quality sharpening stone, scratch that – you need to get your hands on the best possible sharpening stone that you can find at your local hardware store. Fortunately, sharpening stones are relatively affordable, even the ones that are of the high-end quality variety.
It is crucial that you maintain the sharpness of your knives. Obviously, a knife that has become dulled through regular use can be quite infuriating to use. A dull knife can also be dangerous to use as it increases the risk of accidents considerably. This is where a sharpening stone or a whetstone comes into play. Using this tool (properly) will help return your blades back to its impeccable sharpness.
We highly recommend every kitchen to have a sharpening stone in its cabinet. If you don’t have one, then you are in luck! We will be giving you a list of the best sharpening stones that you can get your hands on today. We will also be giving you some pointers on how to distinguish the qualities that a sharpening stone should have in order to deliver the best results.
In a Hurry?
No time to go through our entire list to figure out which sharpening stone will suit your needs the best? No worries there as we picked our most recommended product that pretty much checks out all the requirements of a quality sharpening stone.
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone
If this will be your first sharpening stone purchase, then the Sharp Pebble Premium is a great choice. It is easy to use and comes with #1000 and #6000 double-sided grit. The produce also comes with an angle guide which I highly recommend for beginners.
Sharpening Stone Buying Guide
To help you get your bearings when it comes to the sharpening stone market, here are some key points that you should be aware about regarding this tool.
Oil Stones and Water Stones
As the name implies, both oil and water stones will require a type of lubricant before you use it for sharpening. In this case, it is oil for the former and water for the latter. Oil stones will need to be coated in oil before use. As for water stones, it requires a simpler method in which you will need to soak the stone underwater for a certain amount of time (usually around 5 to 10 minutes) before you use it to sharpen blades.
The reason for lubricating is that this prevents tiny particles from the blade from clogging the surface of the sharpening stone. Clogs on the surface of the whetstone can degrade the tool over time, causing it to deliver less impressive results.
Bench Stones and Pocket Stones
This is the two primary types of sharpening stones that you come across. The bench stone is designed to be laid flat on a surface, typically a bench, to be used properly. This is due to it being larger in size. Most bench stones will also have a base, which is usually made from wood or plastic with a rubberized grip underneath for optimum stability. Bench sharpening stones are best suited for home use.
As for pocket stones, these are more compact sharpening stones that can easily fit in, you guessed it, your pockets. This type of sharpening stone is designed for outdoor enthusiast. However, as it used by hand – it can be a bit tricky to use on longer blades.
Grit Rating
The most crucial element in choosing a sharpening stone, the grit dictates the overall coarseness of the sharpening stone. The lower the grit rating, the coarser the stone, while the higher grit level means the surface has a finer texture.
Low grit whetstones can quickly sharpen the edges of the blade. However, in order to polish and smoothen the blade – you will need a high grit (finer stone) for that. Dual-sided sharpening stone is designed to deliver both which is why you should go for this type of whetstone as it is more practical.
Additional Tips
Keep in mind that the grit should be your primary focus when choosing a whetstone. That said, you should also consider the material in conjunction with the grit before making a purchase. The reason for this is that different whetstone materials provide different longevity as well. Arkansas stone, aluminum oxide, and carborundum typically have the longest lifespan.
Best Reviewed Sharpening Stone – This Year's New Edition
I hope that these 5 names we are going to see aren't too familiar with you. Because there is a product with more than 10.000 reviews on Amazon, just to tell an example. Now, no more waiting, check this list out here:
1. Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone
Features:
- Material: Aluminium Oxide.
- Grit: 1000/6000.
- Weight: 2.12 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.25 x 2.25 1-inches.
The Sharp Pebble Sharpening Stone pretty much covers all your sharpening needs as it can be used for kitchen knives, scissors, and other blades that needs some work. The Sharp Pebble Sharpening Stone is a water whetstone which is made from Japanese aluminum oxide and comes in a dual-sided design which provides users with #1000 and #6000 grit for optimum sharpening.
We also would like to commend the base that this sharpening stone utilizes. Not only is the base made from high quality bamboo for exceptional durability, it also has a silicone base to help keep it in place. We doubt it will start slipping around the table surface as the silicone base underneath has excellent grip.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The Sharp Pebble Whetstone is one of the most versatile sharpening stones in the market today. With a reasonable price tag and a quality construction, you really can’t go wrong with this everyday and all-around sharpening stone.
2. Finew Knife Sharpening Stone Kit
Features:
- Material: Corundum.
- Grit: 400/1000/3000/8000.
- Weight: 1.9 lbs.
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 3.1-inches.
Not sure what type of whetstone grit rating to get? Why not just get them all? That is what the Finew Knife Sharpening Stone Kit offers as it comes with 400/1000 and 3000/8000 water whetstones. First off, the 400/1000 grit is best for sharpening dull knives while the 3000/8000 grit whetstone will be used to do the finishing touches.
The base of the Finew Sharpening Stone Kit is made from bamboo with a rubberized base to optimize the whetstone’s stability during use. This product also comes with an angle guide that should help you position the blade properly. In addition, this product also comes with a leather strop to help remove burr and completely polish your blades.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
If you are unsure as to what grit rating to get, the Finew pretty much throws in every grit rating into one package. While slightly expensive, it is well-worth the investment seeing as it comes with everything you need to properly sharpen your blades.
3. Chefic 2-in-1 Premium Sharpening Stone
Features:
- Material: Corundum.
- Grit: 400/1000.
- Weight: 1.2 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.09 x 2.36 x 1.18-inches.
This is one of the larger whetstones in our list. The Chefic Whetstone 2-in-1 Premium Sharpening Stone is an excellent choice for those who have a wide variety of blades at home that needs sharpening. This sharpening stone is made from high-quality corundum and uses the dual-sided design to provide both 400 and 1000 grit whetstones to cover the sharpening and polishing aspect.
This large sharpening stone also comes with a non-slip rubberized base which is even more vital in whetstones of this size. In addition, this product comes with a 30-day moneyback guarantee which shows the confidence that the manufacturer has in their product.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The substantial size that the Chefic 2-in-1 Premium Sharpening Stone brings to the table gives it that professional level results. This is an ideal choice for those who have a broad selection of large blades at home.
4. CWINDY Sharpening Whetstone
Features:
- Material: Corundum.
- Grit: 1000/6000.
- Weight: 2.4 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.13 x 4.72 x 2.9-inches.
CWINDY features a dual-sided construction using imported Japanese premium-grade aluminum oxide material. This whetstone is baked at 1,000 Celsius and above and is shaped using around 200 tons of pressure and is air-dried to deliver a durable and dense sharpening stone. What’s more? The CWINDY Sharpening Stone comes with a highly presentable design that is topped off by a bamboo base with non-slip rubberized feet.
This dual-sided whetstone comes with a 1000 and 6000 grit on both sides. The 1000 grit is best suited for sharpening and blade repair while the 6000 grit should be used for polishing the blade. It also comes with an angle guide and an e-book to help beginners get a good grasp on how to properly implement this tool. In addition, there is a fix stone which stabilizes the sharpening stone in place. The rubberized feet further improve the stability of this sharpening stone when in use.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
With the highly affordable price tag, we recommend the CWINDY for home use specifically. While the construction gives it a pretty good grade in durability, we don’t see this being able to match up to higher-end sharpening tools in terms of longevity.
5. Sharp Pebble Disk Sharpening Stone
Features:
- Material: Silicon Carbide.
- Grit: 150/320.
- Weight: 1.19 lbs.
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.1-inches.
This compact sharpening stone comes in a disk or puck shape which makes it an ideal tool to bring during certain outdoor activities. The 150/320 grit also makes this a great choice for sharpening heavy duty blades like axes and large knives. This whetstone is made from 100% silicon carbide material, the round construction also allows for a larger surface to work on compared to the typical bar design of most sharpening stones.
Due to the robust structure of the Sharp Pebble Sharpening Disk Stone, it is a great tool for sharpening heavy-duty blades such as machetes, hatchets, axes, shovel, spade, lawnmower blade, and kitchen knives as well. Additionally, the highly ergonomic design of makes it quite easy to grip by hand.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
This disk-shaped sharpening stone from Sharp Pebbles is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts due to its compact design. The magnetized bamboo case also secures it in place during storage and transportation. The disk shape also makes it relatively easy to use with no need for benches. I do feel that the low-grit side is somewhat soft, so I am not sure about its sharpening capabilities in the long run and under constant use.
Final Words
Sharpening stones are essential in any kitchen as it can significantly prolong the lifespan of your blades. Hopefully, our top 5 list of most recommended sharpening stones and buying guide has helped point you towards the right direction in regards to buying your own whetstone.
