Every foodie knows how difficult it can be to find the best knife sharpener stone to sharpen their kitchen knives and cutlery.
With so many exciting options available in online stores, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and pick the first decent-looking stone you find.
Congratulations on finding this page! I have done the research and gathered a few of the most impressive sharpening stone sets available.
9 of the Best Knife Sharpener Stones for your Kitchen
1. Finew Professional Whetstone Sharpener Stone
The Finew Knife Sharpening Stone kit comes with every tool you need to sharpen your knife. The kit features two water stones with varying grit levels – 400/1000 and 3000/8000. It includes a non-slip bamboo board to hold the stones safely in place while you work, an angle guider to maintain and establish the correct angle, and finally, a leather strop to polish the knife.
The set offers unique versatility that very few sets can compete with. It is ideally suited for beginners and experts. The 400/1000 stones let you handle dull knives, while 3000/8000 stone adds an edge to your blade and gives it a shine. With the stones, you can sharpen nearly every type of knife. Axes, stainless knives, machetes—there are potentially no limits.
Pros
- It offers your more versatility than most sets
- It has everything you need to get into serious knife sharpening
- It is perfect for beginners and professionals
- It’s a steal for the money
Cons
- You need to soak the stones for 10 minutes before you begin to sharpen with them
- The set does not include a manual
Takeaway
It would be challenging to find a similar package that offers the value the Finew set provides. The stones are made of professional-grade aluminum oxide, so they would last you quite a while if you clean and flatten them with care. They are excellent for beginners and experts, and they are a perfect choice if you are on a budget.
2. Yoshihiro Professional Whetstone Knife Sharpener
The Yoshiro Whetstones set is the perfect companion for a dedicated professional who frequently uses their collection of Japanese knives. The set features three water stones with two-sided grits, ranging from 400 to 10000, and a wooden base to keep the stones stationary while you work. The stones in this set are wider than the average Japanese sharpening stones. They measure 2.9 inches across and 0.9 inches in height.
The Rough stone (Arato) with 400-1000 grit is recommended for dull or damaged blades. The Medium Stone (Nakato) with the 1000-3000 grit is perfect for maintaining a blade’s edge. And the Finishing Stone (Shiage) is necessary to create a more refined edge and shine to the knife.
Pros
- It is perfect for any chef who frequently butchers protein
- It comes with a variety of grits, making it perfect for all kinds of knives
- The stones will last you decades
- It is designed for constant use
Cons
- It takes a bit of a learning curve to get used to the stones, especially with no angle guide
- They are not the cheapest knives on the market
Takeaway
This set is versatile and value-packed, but it is not recommended for beginners. It takes some time to get used to, requiring a bit of investment, both time and money. However, they are what you are looking for if you are a professional looking for premium-grade water stones.
3. Gourmet Tool Whetstone Knife Sharpener
The Gourmet Whetstone sharpener is perfect for beginners who are new to whetstones and knife sharpening in general. The set features a good sharpening stone with two-sided grit: 1000/6000, which is perfect for dull kitchen knives.
The Gourmet comes with a non-slip bamboo case and a rubber base to keep the stone steady while you work. An angle guider is also included to keep your hands steady and the angle just right. Finally, it includes a flattening stone to help you even out your stone’s surface when you inevitably wear it down.
It also includes a step-by-step guide, complete with pictures to walk you through sharpening your knives for the very first time.
Pros
- It is excellent for any beginner who has never sharpened a knife before
- It is excellent value for the money
- It comes with clear instructions on how to use the set
- It has a flattening stone
Cons
- It is limited to just two grits
Takeaway
This Whetstone Knife Sharpener is easier to use than most of the sets available on the market. It includes an angle guide, a flattening stone, and a detailed instructional guide. These together make the learning curve less steep and accommodating for beginners.
4. DALSTRONG Premium Whetstones
This Aluminum Oxide Whetstone Kit features hand-crafted whetstones fit for professionals and occasional chefs. It comes with two separate whetstones, each featuring a robust surface and grit of 1000 and 6000, respectively. The kit also features a flattening stone and a rare Acacia base for support during use to further enhance its appeal.
The robust surface gives room and flexibility for you to sharpen all types of knives and tools. The DalStrong can handle German knives, Japanese knives, chisels, and everything else in between. As you might expect, the whetstones sharpen DalStrong knives best and should be well suited to your needs.
Pros
- The separate stones prevent expansion, contamination, and common faults associated with joined grit stones
- The kit ships with everything you need to sharpen immediately
- It is competitively priced
- Its robust surface allows more room for flexibility
Cons
- It is not suited for those inexperienced with knife sharpening
Takeaway
The broad surface area and the separate grit give you more control and expand the wet stone knife sharpener. They are also considerably thicker and should last you somewhat longer than most kits on the market. They are a fantastic choice for the price.
5. DMT Diamond Whetstone Sharpener
Sharpen your knives and tools faster with DMT’s versatile set of micronized monocrystalline diamond whetstones. The kit features three different stones with varying grits, padded with a wooden base for better control.
The size 9/1200 mesh helps refine an already slight blade edge and polish it to a shine. The 600 mesh stone is used to buff slightly dull knives and bring them to a finer edge. And the 325 mesh is designed to transform blunt edges and bring them to cutting conditions.
They feature the DMT signature hardness and uniformity that the brand is famous for. They provide complete diamond coverage, uniformity and flatness, and promise to last you decades to come. They are perfect for sharpening scissors and all-metal tools with an edge.
Pros
- They retain a uniform flatness and will not wear
- They are nearly three times as fast as regular whetstones
- The kit includes stones with varying levels of coarseness for various tools and knives
Cons
- They are more expensive than your typical whetstone kit
- They can be difficult to control
Takeaway
They are perfect for experienced chefs, cooks, hobbyists, and professionals looking to transfer from their typical wet or oil stone to something faster and less messy. They are not particularly beginner-friendly, nor do they pretend to be. They provide great value for the price.
6. SHARPAL Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener
Fashioned from high-quality monocrystalline diamond grit, this whetstone sharpens your knives and tool faster than any average whetstone could. It features a flat and uniform diamond edge that ensures even contact with the whetstone surface and two grit surfaces with an 8×3 inch surface area. It also features a coarse 325 grit to work down dull knives and a fine 1200 grit for greater honing.
The Sharpal whetstone works well on most hard tools and knives. The whetstone is fantastic for fillet knives, Japanese knives, straight-edge razors, and so much more. The stone comes in a package containing a non-slip rubber base and a case that doubles as a stand.
Pros
- There is no mess while you work
- You will save tons of time, and you will sharpen your tools faster
- It is more affordable than most diamond whetstones on the market
Cons
- The metal base can be loose and difficult to control at times
Takeaway
The Sharpal Diamond Whetstone sharpener is excellent for sharpening all types of metal tools and knives. They are affordable for diamond whetstones and are one of the better sharpening stone sets we’ve seen on the market. They are an excellent choice if you need something compact and clean to sharpen your tools.
7. Trilancer Knife Sharpening Stone
The Trilancer Japanese Water Stone Kit was designed for the average professional chef, but it shines just as bright in the hands of a humble home cook. The kit features a 1000/6000 two grit water stone, a steady rubber base, and an angle guide to ensure you have the angle right.
Its robust surface makes it uniquely suited to handle Japanese-style knives, razor-edge knives, hunting knives, and other types of edged tools. You also get a simple guide to walk you through using the water stone for the first time.
Pros
- It is easy to use for both professionals and hobbyists
- It is a fantastic value for the money
- You only need ten minutes of soaking before you can start sharpening
Cons
- It only comes with a single whetstone with 1000/6000 grits
Takeaway
The Trilancer is undoubtedly one of the better Japanese whetstone knife sharpeners we have seen. Complete with everything but an angle guider, it’s perfect for home chefs and professionals who love their Japanese knives. However, they are not without their shortcomings. You might have to seek a product with more grits and stones if you want a finer edge on your knives and tools.
8. SHAPTON Ceramic Whetstone
The Shapton is a premium-grade ceramic whetstone kit with three distinct stones bearing varying grit. The rough grit (320) is best for working down blunt and damaged knives. The medium grit (1000) brings an edge to the blade. And the finishing grit (5000) is perfect for honing the edge and bringing a shine to it.
Each whetstone features a robust surface of about 8×3 inches. They also come with a multi-colored stone holder to help you more easily differentiate between the different grits. The Separate grits bring out the best in each stone, allowing you to work with more care and attention. They don’t wear quickly and can put an edge on any bladed or tipped tool.
Pros
- The stones are sharper and less messy than any whetstone knife sharpener
- The individual stone is separate
- The multi-colored cases let you more easily maintain and use them
Cons
- It could use a more solid base for proper mounting
Takeaway
Ceramic Whetstones are famous for their extraordinary quality, durability, and speed. The Shapton is a good sharpening stone that delivers just that. These whetstones work through knives quickly and don’t have that steep of a learning curve. They are an excellent investment for the value.
9. SHAPTON Japanese Ceramic Whetstone M15
The Shapton Japanese Ceramic Whetstone is best suited for home cooks and tool owners who prefer a coarse edge on their sharpening stones. The Shapton Ceramic Whetstone comes with a singular 5000 grit side, perfect for buffing dull knives.
It truly shines when paired with other extraordinary Shapton sharpening stones, but it’s perfect for necessary knife sharpening and honing. Its ceramic grit ensures that it works through even your sturdiest knives in mere minutes. It has a broad surface area of about 8×2.8 inches.
Pros
- It allows for quicker use compared to regular water stones
- It is durable enough for frequent use
- It works great on all sorts of knives and tools
Cons
- It cost a fair bit more than its regular water stone counterparts
Takeaway
The 5000 grit ceramic stone is perfect for chefs and home cooks concerned with maintaining their knife set edges. They are also remarkable with other tools too. A two-sided grit would always be preferable for more thorough work, but if you are specifically interested in a ceramic sharpening stone, then the Shapton is what you need.
A Buying Guide to the Best Knife Sharpener Stone
There’s more to choosing a good sharpening stone than price, accessories, and stone colors. There are a few essential things you need to understand before you begin shopping for a suitable stone.
Grit
The level of coarseness and utility determines the grit of a whetstone. The lower the grit, the coarser the stone is. Inversely, the higher the grit, the finer the stone. Low grit stones (120-500) are better suited for dull knives, while high grit stones (1000-3000) are great for routine blade sharpening and honing. Finishing stones (5000-12000) are great for finishing polish and further honing.
Materials
The material composition of your sharpener of choice will tremendously affect the results you get. There are four primary materials used in Knife Sharpeners.
Whetstones or aluminum oxide
When you think of whetstone knife sharpeners, aluminum oxide is the first thing that comes to mind. They are the go-to sharpeners for professionals and home chefs alike because of how versatile, affordable, and forgiving they are.
They leave a slightly jagged edge on coarser grits while they hone the edge and add a bit of polish with more delicate edges. The stones need to be soaked for a minimum of 10 minutes before use.
Oil Stones
Oil stones differ from whetstones in subtle yet significant ways. Oil stones use oil as a lubricant instead of water. They use hard stones like Novaculite, Silicon Carbide, and Aluminum Oxide for Rough, Medium, and finishing stones.
They also typically last a fair bit longer than regular whetstones. However, the oil cost adds up over time, and they are quite messy to work with.
Ceramic Stones
As the name suggests, they are effective stones, and yet they are breakable. This means they require a bit more care to maintain them.
Despite being so fragile, they are excellent for sharpening knives and other professional bladed tools. They require no oil or water as the oil and whetstone do.
Diamond Stones
Diamond stones are the hardest and fastest of the four surfaces. They use special diamond nano-coating to increase the hardness of selected surfaces, significantly improving their toughness and ability to sharpen blades.
They are the most expensive of the four options and require little to no maintenance on the user’s part, except the occasional wipe down or wash. However, there is one common problem with Diamond sharpener stones, and that is their durability.
What’s the catch?
Contrary to what you might believe, diamond stones don’t last as long as whetstones or oil stones. A few of the more poorly made stones even begin to show notable breakdown after the initial use. The option for diamond stones is somewhat of a gamble, and the reputation of the brand you are buying is typically the determining factor.
Non-slip Rubber Base
A good base helps you keep the stone stationary while you work on the edges of the blade. Most bases are made with plastic, rubber, silicone, Acacia, Bamboo, or something with a lot of traction. A non-slip silicone base is added in-between the stone itself and the base to ensure complete stability in some products.
Angle Guider
The Angle guider helps home cooks get used to sharpening at 20 degrees. The strokes feel softer and almost natural, and they help you build up muscle memory with time and practice, thereby preventing accidents.
Maintenance
Although they might only be stones, sharpening stone sets require constant attention or care, or else they’ll become ineffective and even dangerous.
Different stones require various treatments to ensure they remain highly functional and safe, but the general guidelines can be condensed to a few key points.
Practical tips for maintenance
- Prepare the stone for use. For example, whetstones need to be soaked for 10-30 minutes before use.
- Clean them after use by rubbing water or oil on the surface in a circular motion to release the particles trapped in their pores.
- Use the flattening stone to even out the stone after extended use (does not apply to diamond stones)
- Prevent slips and falls that might damage the stone surface.
FAQs
What type of stone is the best for sharpening knives?
Whetstones. They might be messy, but they are reliable and teach you how to sharpen at an angle.
What grit stone is the best for sharpening knives?
A mid-gritstone from 700 to 2000 is best for sharpening your regular knives.
Do you need to wet a sharpening stone?
No, you don’t, but it’s advisable to wet the stone before sharpening your knives. The water or oil serves as a lubricant and reduces the heat generated during sharpening.
Do you have to use a whetstone to sharpen your knife?
Besides sharpening stones, there are other automatic and professional manual tools (like high-quality sharpening steel) for sharpening knives. Also, you don’t have to use a sharpening stone if you don’t want to.
How often should you sharpen your knife?
You should sharpen your knives at least once a month to keep the edge of your blade always sharp.
Conclusion: What is the best sharpening stone for you?
The best knife sharpener stone is a clean stone that is even and suitable for your needs, whether you are a home chef or a Michelin star chef. It should be easy enough to use for the beginner yet specialized and durable for long-term professional use.
