The best sharpening stones of 2023 (2023)

A knife is only as good as its ability to quickly slice and dice ingredients. A sharpening and honing tool is essential to get that edge. Electric and manual knife sharpeners are effective, but a whetstone is the gold standard when it comes to fine, sharp blades. Although sometimes mistakenly associated with water, whetstone comes from the word afilar, meaning to sharpen.

Whetstones come in a variety of materials from oil stone to diamond stone to water stone to ceramic stone. They also come in a variety of grits, from coarse on the low end to fine on the high end. Typically, you want a coarse grain and a fine grain, either separate stones or a two-sided option. Whichever choice you make, a sharpening stone is a solid investment in the best care of your knives: it allows maximum control over the angle and refinement of your blade. Stop worrying about cutting into that ripe tomato when you trust a whetstone for at-home sharpening and honing.

After researching it is our favorite wet stoneSharp Pebble Messerschleifstein premium sharpening stone. For a long lasting oil stone we recommendNorton Combined Oil Stone.

Whether you're looking for your first sharpening stone or experienced enough to handle a diamond-finished one, these are the best sharpening stones for all your knives.

final verdict

If you're looking to equip your kitchen with a tool that not only sharpens and polishes your knives, but also offers a versatile range of grits and ease of use, we recommend the Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone (view on amazon). If this is your first time using whetstones and you need everything you need to sharpen, sharpen, smooth and condition a wide range of blades, choose the King Whetstone Starter Set (view on amazon).

What to consider when buying a sharpening stone

The type

Olsteine:Oilstones tend to be the traditional sharpening stones that people grew up with. They are durable and need very little flattening due to their strong material. They require oil to lubricate the metal during processing and can involve complicated cleanup. They come in a variety of grits, but their hard surfaces generally require more sweeping motions when sharpening.

water stones:Like oil stones, water stones also come in natural and synthetic materials. Waterstones tend to be smoother and require more flattening than other varieties, but this also means faster sharpening and honing, requiring fewer cleaning motions - a definite benefit. Unlike oilstones, waterstones are easier to clean, but they also require initial soaking and constant moisture during sharpening.

Diamante:Diamond is the hardest of all surfaces and offers fast results. They come in two varieties: a pitted surface to catch chips or scrap, or a solid diamond surface to help sharpen tools that can get caught in holes. Diamond surfaces are available in two types, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline tends to be more durable and will last longer. Diamond stones tend to be expensive, as you know, diamonds, but they also require little to no grinding and last a long time. They are ideal for sharpeningceramic knife.

ceramic stones:If lubricating your sharpening stone is a deal breaker, ceramic might be the right choice. Most ceramic sharpening stones don't require water or oil, so there's no messy cleanup necessary. They are generally very durable and require little renovation. And the material from which they are made is almost as hard as diamond sharpening stones, so they last a long time. The downside is that they tend to be expensive.

grano/micron

Basically, the larger the grain, the finer the stone. The coarse grit is good for sharpening or repairing tools, and the fine grit is better for refining edges and angles.

When considering grit numbers, it's important to note that the lower the number (100 to 900), the better it will be on rough knife edges, even those with chips. Once you get to 1,000-3,000 grit, it will still sharpen effectively, but think of a dull knife rather than a damaged one.

Grits between 4,000 and 8,000 are most effective for sharpening an already sharp knife; think of this as a polished grain rather than a sharp one. The higher the grain number, the more control you have over the transformation of your edges, but that comes at a high price.

Diamond stones use microns to indicate how fine or coarse the grit is, but the same rule applies: a low number equals coarse, a high number equals fine.

Design

Most sharpening stones are available with either a single-sided or double-sided grit. A single grit can be effective for touch-ups, but you will often need a second grit for polishing and finishing. The two-sided grain offers both options in one. It is usually a coarse, low number grit on one side and a finer, high number grit on the other side.

The other design consideration is whether to hold a stone using a base or a handheld device. Freestanding or pocket variants offer portability but make it difficult to achieve a stable angle. Floor-mounted models offer more precision, but require a firm base to stand on for machining.

frequent questions

How do you use a sharpening stone?

Depending on the material you purchase, you may need to soak the sharpening stone before using it. Be sure to check the manufacturer's label for complete instructions.

Water stones require some exposure to water, either by immersion before use or simply by spraying water on the surface of the stone. With diamond stones, water can be used to prepare the surface, but there is also an option called lapping fluid that prolongs the effectiveness of a diamond surface. An oil stone needs a little mineral oil on the surface before sharpening - the same as conditioning andKeep the wooden cutting boards.after they have been cleaned.

Regardless of the material you have purchased, these are the basic steps for using your sharpening stone. First, soak your stones and set up your station. If you are using a sharpening stone that requires water, keep it nearby to ensure there is enough moisture in the stone to complete the sharpening/sharpening.

Starting with the thick stone or the side, hold the blade at a 20 degree angle and place the heel of the knife on the far edge of the stone. Maintaining even pressure, slowly draw the knife across the stone toward you while holding it at a 20-degree angle. Finish the movement and repeat about 10 times.

Switch to a fine grit stone or side and repeat the process. Then clean and test the blade. That can be tricky. Try to identify a dish towel that you will always use for this task, as stains are likely to occur.

How do you take care of a sharpening stone?

The answer depends on the stone. Water and diamond surface stones require a simple rinse in hot water, perhaps a scrubbing to remove metal particles, and a thorough drying. Oilstones require an application of mineral oil to maintain their finish. You can also use a little hot water and dish soap to remove any residue from your oilstone. Be sure to dry and rub with oil.

For tough cleaning jobs, pull out the Bar Keeper's Friend from under the sink. Like stainless steel, it can remove hard-to-clean residue from sharpening stones. Be sure to rinse and dry the stone afterwards.

My personal advice is to have sandpaper on hand to smooth the whetstone. Every time youhone and hone- two distinct but equally important functions - the process creates high and low spots on the surface of the stone, also known as bulge. To keep the stone level and at peak performance, clean it several times with 400-grit sandpaper. Water and oil stones are the most prone to crumbling.

Why only trust recipes?

Carrie Honakeris a food writer who has handled many knives over the years. As a restaurateur and avid cook, she knows how important it is to care for knives to keep them stable and sharp-edged. She loves her Kota Whetstone to keep those edges sharp and functional, chef after chef. Her work has been featured in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.

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