Sharpening Stones may seem like insignificant tools, but they aren’t, considering the work they do. And getting the best should be the priority of any DIYer, or professional dealing with Knives. In this guide, we would be reviewing the best sharpening stones. Make sure you read through to gain better knowledge. As professionals you also need tools like prybars and pallet busters, in you possession, these tools come in handy when needed.
TYPES OF SHARPENING STONES
Water Stones
Water stones use water as a lubricant to create a quick-cutting slurry. In comparison to oil stones, water stones are softer and easier to clean because they don’t leave any oil remains on your blades.
Most people prefer this type of stone because they’re effective at making a very refined edge.
Oil Stones
Oil stones are conventional stones that you usually find in the back shed. Although there are already man-made oil stones, many are still created from natural materials.
As the name would suggest, oil is used as a lubricant because it creates great friction between the blade and the stone. Many are not big fans of these types of stones because the oil used can go rancid.
Diamond Stones
Diamond stones may appear to be the best quality sharpening stone, but they can be very expensive. These metal plates can stay flat than their other stone counterparts. However, they can leave damage to the blade.
SHARPENING STONES BUYER’S GUIDE
The factors put into consideration when getting a sharpening stone are different from the factors considered when getting a laminate floor cutter.
The Size
Most knife sharpening stones are not very big it approximately 7 or 8″ long. But actually, it will depend on you what kind of knives you want to sharpen. Because a butcher knife and sushi knives are heavy and large than regular knives.
But if you also need to carry it then you should choose the small and lightweight sharpening stone, so that you can easily carry it in your backpack or tackle box.
Types Of Grit
- Coarse Grit:
The Coarse Grit (220 grit) is the primary level and helps to remove the blunt edge quickly. For making a dull knives razor-sharp first need very deep sharpening. So that this basic grit helps a lot for making a razor-sharp edge.
- Medium Grit:
The Medium Grit (1000 to 1500 grit) will give your knife a nice polish after the Coarse Grit. Because it has a better smooth finish than Coarse.
- Fine Grit:
The Fine Grit (up to 4000 grit) is the top and final level for sharpening stone. If you use your kitchen knives on it so it will give your knife super sharp edge and shinny like a new blade. Because this step removes the extra metal and gives your knife edge finest finishing and polishing.
Two-Sided Grit
If you like more efficiency, then look for a sharpening stone with a two-sided grit: coarse and fine. The coarse grit will get rid of the nicks, adjust the bevel, and sharpen a very dull edge of your knife. The fine grit will refine the edge of your knife.
Instead of buying two sharpening stones- one coarse stone and one finer stone- for your complete knife sharpening needs, it is advisable to select a combination stone. Not only it is effective, but you can save costs by buying two stones.
The Grit Range
If you interested to use the sharpening stone for your kitchen or hunting knives? So the grit is the main and important factor. Because only these features will give you a real super sharp edge. The sharpening stones are available in different grit range.
These are 220 grit. 300 grit, 1000 grit, 1200 grit, 2000 grit, 3000 grit, 5000 grit, 6000 grit, and top-level 8000 grit. So, choose carefully which grit is the best for your blade.
Size
The convenience of sharpening knives can be determined by the size of the sharpening stone. The larger the size, the better. You can sharpen small knives in a large sharpening stone but never the other way around.
When sharpening bigger knives, the length of the sharpening stone is more significant than its width. Sharpening Supplies recommends a minimum length of 8 inches. You can usually find this size in most sharpening stone brands at a reasonable price.
Non-slip Secure Base
The safety of your sharpening stone can be determined by its non-slip secure base. Since we’ll be dealing with knives, a little slip of the stone while sharpening can be very dangerous. Most models have silicone bases to keep the stone fixed while sharpening.
Versatility
To save costs from buying many stones for different knives, look for a sharpening stone that can work on any blade, even blades from bow saws. The best sharpening stone should work not only for kitchen knives but also for other types of blades, such as scissors, pocket knives, and hunting knives. Welding helmets and kneepads are versatile tools, they both can be used for various reasons.
BEST SHARPENING STONES
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| Smith’s TRI-6 Arkansas Sharpening Stone
|
Grit is fine, coarse, and medium
This Natural Fine Arkansas Stone (Around 1000-1200 Grit) It includes Smith’s premium honing solution with a sharpening angle guide Medium Arkansas Stone, 600 Grit- 6” x 1 5/8” x 3/8” |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone
|
Premium quality
No need to add oil Easy to clean Ideal for a wide range of blades |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Lansky Multi-Purpose Sharpener Puck
|
Item weight 9.6 ounces
Dimension about 8.7 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches Dual grit 120 and 280 Many tool sharpening system |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone
|
Extra large size
Sturdy plastic base Great value Designed for carbon and stainless steel knives |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Fallkniven CC4 Ceramic Whetstone Sharpener
|
Ceramic whetstone
Whiteside: Superfine ceramic stone Dark Gray: made of synthetic sapphires No lubrication needed Leather pouch included |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Chefic Whetstone 2-IN-1 Premium Sharpening Stone
|
Extra-large whetstone
Suitable for most blade types Professional grade white corundum Dual-sided |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone
|
Soft Arkansas pocket sharpening stone is 4 inches long by 1 inch wide by 3/8-1/2 inch thick
Coarsest, most versatile stone used to quickly put an initial edge on dull or neglected edges Color can vary from white to gray/black to pink/gray, or a combination of these colors |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| DMT W6EFC Three 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone
|
Can be used dry or with water
Precise diamond sizing for longer blade life Durable construction Suitable for a wide range of different blade types |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Sharp Pebble Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
|
Double-sided
Non-slip base Easy to assemble Premium quality |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| DMT Duo Sharp Plus Bench Stone WM8EF
|
Two-sided sharpening with a fine for a razor-sharp edge and extra-fine to polish and refine an edge
Sharpens knives faster than conventional stones with DMT’s monocrystalline diamond surface No oil is needed-sharpen dry or with water Durable construction will provide years of consistent performance and reliable service |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
Smith’s TRI-6 Arkansas Sharpening Stone
The smith’s Arkansas sharpening stones are very popular with sportsmen, craftsmen, chefs, and butchers. It has Medium synthetic (600 grit) Coarse synthetic (400 grit) and natural fine Arkansas stone (1000-1200 Grit).
These different stones molded on a plastic triangle with a small handle for easy rotation. That means you can easily change the stone which you need for your blade. And molded plastic base has non-skid rubber feet that ensure the safety and easy sharpening with different stones at one time. It includes one bottle of Smith’s premium honing solution and the extra sharpening angle guide.
| PROS | CONS |
| Free honing oil and sharpening angle guide | Not perfect for beginner |
| “V” trough to catch the oil drippings | |
| 3 different stones and grit |
Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone
The Whetstone Cutlery 20 10960 Knife Sharpening Stone is a highly versatile water stone for sharpening knives. It is specifically designed for restoring shape and sharpness to dull and worn kitchen knives, but also offers excellent sharpening performance for other blades from scissors and gardening tools to razors, hatchets, and axes.
Made from silicon carbide, this dual-sided whetstone is durable and features a 400 grit side for heavy-duty sharpening and a 1000 grit side that gives a smoother and neater finish to provide the last finishing touches. This is a sharpening water stone and is designed for use with water rather than oil. As such, it needs 5 to 10 minutes of soaking with water before use for the best performance possible.
| PROS | CONS |
| Long-lasting durability | A little bit expensive than other models |
| You can use for various knives | |
| Available in different colors and grit | |
| No need any oil or expensive liquid |
Lansky Multi-Purpose Sharpener Puck
This great sharpener comes from the Lansky puck company with versatile features. This is a Great pocket size two grit multi-purpose sharpener. It has already attracted many people’s attention. And it is a top-rated multi-purpose sharpener in the market. This is very easy to use because it has two compact Coarse Grit 120, and another one is Medium 280 Grit.
This compact size sharpener you can easily carry when you go outdoors. This top-rated item especially for sharpening lawnmower blades, ax blades, hatchets, and other variety cutting and chopping or slicing tools. If your knife goes dull very deeply, so use the Coarse side to restore the real sharpness.
| PROS | CONS |
| Best ax sharpening stone | Hard to hold |
| Comes with very low price | |
| Very easy to use and clean | |
| Dual grit system gray and blue | |
| It can handle all knives and outdoors tools |
KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone
The King Two Sided Sharpening Stone is made of two grits, 1,000 (coarse) and 6.000 (fine). It measures about 7.25″ (length) x 2.5″ (width) x 1.0″ (thickness). A plastic stand is included to hold the stone securely while you sharpen the blade properly.
This stone is best for sharpening kitchen knives made of steel and carbon. However, it can’t work on ceramic knives and serrated blades.
| PROS | CONS |
| Adequately versatile | The finer side tends to get dirty quickly |
| Nice sharpening results | The stone may be very vulnerable to damage |
| Easy to use for novice sharpeners | The plastic stand seems to be constructed cheaply |
| Good grit combo (1,000/6,000) | Not recommended for ceramic knives and serrated blades |
Fallkniven CC4 Ceramic Whetstone Sharpener
If you often need to sharpen knives in outdoor situations such as while camping, the Fallkniven CC4 Ceramic Whetstone Sharpener is one of the best knife sharpening stone options for this need. This new combination of whetstone features a dual-sided design with synthetic materials. The white side of the sharpening stone is a super fine 2000 grit side for finishing touches and smoothing the surface of your blade, while the dark gray side is made from synthetic sapphires with a grit of approximately 1000.
This innovative pocket sharpening stone does not need any oil or water for lubrication, making it particularly easy to achieve sharpening with minimal preparation required, and offering easier sharpening out in the field where access to lubricants is limited
| PROS | CONS |
| Durable leather pouch included | none |
| Fast sharpening | |
| Compact design | |
| Easy to clean |
Chefic Whetstone 2-IN-1 Premium Sharpening Stone
This is a dual side 400/1000 grit knife sharpening block from Whetstone Cutlery. Which is extremely durable and provides superior performance. Because it’s made from durable silicon carbide for the effective result and last longer uses.
Use this knife sharpening block for kitchen knives, scissors, pocket knives, kitchen cutlery, and razors. Even it works well for hatchets, Axes, carving knife, and gardening tools. Now maybe you understand this sharpening block has not built only for sharpening knives. It comes only for easy sharpening and doesn’t matter what you want to sharpen
| PROS | CONS |
| No need any oil or expensive liquid | A little bit expensive than other models |
| Available in different colors and grit | |
| You can use for various knives | |
| Very easy to use and clean | |
| Long-lasting durability |
Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone
Pocket whetstones are often lower quality than the larger and more expensive models of bench stone that feature larger and finer materials. Not all pocket sharpening stones are lower quality, however, and the Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone is an excellent example of this. This tiny hand stone is made from genuine Arkansas stone, 100% quarried in the Ouachita Mountains of Central Arkansas – one of the highest quality natural whetstone materials available.
The medium grit level of this natural sharpening stone allows for quick sharpening of dull, blunted blades on the go, helping you to return your tools to perfect sharpness as fast as possible and enabling you to get back to work with the maximum efficiency possible.
| PROS | CONS |
| Protective leather pouch included | none |
| Natural Arkansas stone | |
| Professional quality | |
| Quick sharpening | |
| Pocket-sized |
DMT W6EFC Three 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone
The DMT (Diamond Machine Technology) company brings 3 different Diamond stones in one package. This is the best diamond sharpening stone set with multiple colors and storage box. Which you can use for butcher shops, Trade, or restaurants.
This DMT diamond sharpening stone gives your knives extremely wicked-sharp, very quickly than other traditional stones. Because it is made from world best DMT’s “Micronized Monocrystalline Diamond Technology”. Does everyone know why oil stones are expensive? Because you have to buy extra oil/liquid to sharpen knives. But if you plan to buy this set so you reached a great decision. Because there is no need to use any messy oil or expensive liquid.
| PROS | CONS |
| Very fast and effective sharpening technology | A little bit expensive than other stones |
| Use for various knives and outdoor tools | |
| Packaging with 3 in 1 | |
| Made in the U.S.A. | |
| long-lasting |
Sharp Pebble Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
The Mighty Dreams Premium Knife Sharpening Stone is a dual-sided stone with 1,000 grit (coarse) and 6,000 grit (fine). An angle guide is included to sharpen blades at correct angles. Among the many blades that it can sharpen include kitchen knives, scissors, and razors.
This water stone is guaranteed safe because it comes with two bases: one silicone base to hold the stone and another nonslip bamboo base for better security.
| PROS | CONS |
| Good grit combo (1,000/6,000) | Needs extra maintenance because the bamboo base has to be dried before storage |
| Great angle guide for accuracy | A bit expensive |
| Versatile and durable | |
| Easy to use |
DMT Duo Sharp Plus Bench Stone WM8EF
Duo Sharp Plus Bench Stone can be a good contender for being the best sharpening stone for kitchen knives because it can be used for a wide variety of knives, whether big or small. It can also be used to sharpen pointed tools, thanks to its continuous diamond zone.
Like other sharpening stones from DMT, it also has a monocrystalline diamond surface, which allows it to sharpen knives faster than conventional stones. It also provides a more durable sharpening surface because of DMT’s assurance that they process the most diamonds per square inch in the industry.
| PROS | CONS |
| The base is made of plastic | Requires breaking in |
| It can repair a damaged edge | |
| Can be used dry or with water | |
| Can be used for a wide variety of knives and edges |
CONCLUSION
Your search for the best sharpening stone does not have to be too complicated. The best is still subjective to your personal preference, but you should take into consideration the product that can do a job well and can serve a lot of purposes at a reasonable price. Using our buyer’s guide, you should be able to pick the right one for you.
