The best sharpening stones that refine even your dullest blades (2023)

key specs

• Project:Both sides
• Sprinkle flavor:400/1000
• Material:carborundum

This sharpening stone is ideal for anyone just starting out in the sharpening game. This set comes with a non-slip rubber base and a two-sided leveling stone. One side sharpens very blunt blades and the finer grain side sharpens your hedge.

The set comes with an e-book that teaches beginners how to safely sharpen their blades. One reviewer says it "does exactly what I expected" and provides "sharper" results than previous stones they've had. Another agrees, saying this stone "restored my ruined knives".

key specs

• Project:One-sided, 3 stones
• Sprinkle flavor:Grain 180, 300 and 400
• Material:Diamantstein

This three piece set is perfect for ultra blunt knives. Grits include 180 grit, 300 grit and 400 grit for honing. Diamond stones quickly sharpen all knives and tools, including ceramic knives.

This trio offers incredible value for results and is best lubricated with water and oil. Diamond sharpeners also require less maintenance than other types of stones.

key specs

• Project:One side, 5 pieces
• Sprinkle flavor:100-5.000
• Material:glass, bamboo, stone

If you want the Rolls Royce of whetstones, you've come to the right place with this stylish set. That goes for dull knives, damn sharp knives, and everything in between!

The set includes three glass whetstones in different grains, a bamboo sink bridge, a whetstone cleaning stone, and a sharpening instruction DVD by Bob Kramer showing how to use the kit.

Reviewers rave about this "quality product" and say, "It really works. Yes, it's expensive, but 20 minutes later my super dull knife is again slicing tomatoes for caprese salad.”

key specs

• Project:Front and back, 2 pieces
• Sprinkle flavor:400/1000, 3000/8000
• Material:Wetzstein

This set of two double-sided whetstones offers incredible value for money. Supplied with non-slip bamboo base and angled knife sharpening guide. We liked that the set also comes with an instruction manual to walk you through knife sharpening best practices - very handy!

This set is suitable for dull knives and those that just need a little sharpening. One reviewer says this "wonderful" set "will give your knives an incredible edge."

key specs

• Project:one sided stone
• Sprinkle flavor:10.000
• Material:ceramic whetstone

If you're training to be the next Iron Chef, this is the kind of pro-level sharpening you need. This synthetic ceramic sharpening stone has an incredibly fine 10,000 grit that not only sharpens your knives to an ultra-fine point, but also allows you to change the blade angle and repair micro-notches.

Reviewers say this stone is "awesome" but concede that "you probably have to be a little obsessive to buy it... but it does produce a slightly sharper, more polished edge."

key specs

• Project:Both sides
• Sprinkle flavor:3.000
• Material:finishing grinding wheel

This super popular whetstone has an average rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon and comes with an attractive whetstone for the sharpener to rest on. This stone is manufactured in Japan by a specialist company with six decades of experience in manufacturing sharpeners for industrial and personal use.

One reviewer says, "I sharpen knives as a side job and these are my favorite stones with expensive kitchen knives I want to give the best treatment."

key specs

• Project:double sided disc
• Sprinkle flavor:150/320
• Material:Learn more about carborundum

If you have knives and (a few axes!) to sharpen, this might be the sharpener for you. This round sharpener is great for knives, axes, lawnmower blades, machetes, axes, hatchets, shovels and more. There is a side for very dull blades and a finer grain side for blades that need sharpening more than sharpening.

Reviewers praise this "excellent" sharpener at an "affordable price". Another says he turned his "shattered ax into a sharp cutting tool"!

key specs

• Project:double sided stone
• Sprinkle flavor:150/400
• Material:Aluminum oxide oil stone

This Norton Oil Stone scores an average of 4.8 stars out of 5 on Amazon for its utility, durability, and the way it restores cut edges quickly and effectively. The stone is pre-filled with oil, so there is no need to wet the stone before use. The aluminum oxide stone is also resistant to breakage and wear, which means it can withstand many years of frequent use.

One reviewer calls this whetstone an "underrated classic" but adds that it "adds a little oil or WD40" for super sharpening power. Others say this "tried and true" stone is "AWESOME" for "all home sharpeners".

key specs

• Project:double sided stone
• Sprinkle flavor:325/600
• Material:Diamantstein

This diamond stone sharpens quickly and evenly and lasts for years. The double-sided, monocrystalline surface ensures constant, even contact between the blade and the stone, and the two sides provide sharpness for extremely dull blades and sharpness for knives that are in good used condition.

The stone also comes with a locking bench base so you don't have to worry about it slipping. One reviewer says, "Wish [I] had gotten this sooner. It works great!”

key specs

• Project:Front and back, 4 stones
• Sprinkle flavor:240/800, 600/1.500, 1.000/3.000, 5.000/10.000
• Material:Korundstein

This "baking quality" kit is perfect for anyone who needs to sharpen a large set of knives. Each kit comes with four stones of varying grit to suit everything from the bluntest knives to the most sophisticated blades. It also comes with a non-slip acacia wood base, a knife sharpening angle guide, and a storage case for everything. This kit also comes with a 1 year risk free warranty.

One reviewer says this is a "great sharpening system" and "easy to use" even for "beginners".