Best Sharpening Stone
Whether you’re working with a set of professional-grade carbon steel knives or a budget-friendly knock-off, having that razor-sharp edge is imperative for any type of kitchen prep. And if you’ve never used a sharpening stone before, prepare to be amazed at just how effective it is at restoring the sharp edge to a dull blade, preserving the longevity of your favorite kitchen knives, and being dead simple to use.
What Are the Benefits to Using a Sharpening Stone?
Hand-sharpening may take a little time to perfect and it will definitely require more effort than those self-sharpening sheaths. It will also have you learning about “grit levels”, “honing versus sharpening” and what exactly is a “whetstone”. However, it also provides you with better control over the finished edge and ensures you’re always working with a level of sharpness that meets your expectations and suits your personal prep style. Now, for the record, knives are sharpened once to achieve that super sharp edge and then honed every few months as part of a regular maintenance regimen.
What to Look for When Buying a Sharpening Stone
Type of Stone
The more common types of natural stone (also known as whetstones) used for knife maintenance include water stones, ceramic stones, oil stones, and diamond stones. They’re all readily available and quite capable of delivering the control and finish you’re looking for. What may influence your decision is whether you need to use a lubricant such as mineral oil (necessary with oil stones) or not. And while most sharpening stones can be used with or without adding oils or water, this step does help to dissipate the heat caused by blade-to-stone friction, keeps your stone pores clean of filings or swarf, and results in a smoother hone.
Grit
The all-important grit level is what guides you to the ideal stone for the task at hand. Essentially, the lower the grit the coarser the stone and the better it is for sharpening heavily dulled objects. But while a low grit is considered anything below 1000, you can actually go as low as 120 for smoothing out seriously heavy chips and imperfections on your blade. In the opposite direction, grits as high as 8000 are not uncommon for maintaining an exceptionally fine knife edge. But for standard use, a stone with a 700-1200 grit level is sufficient. and with most now coming in bundles with double, triple, and more grit options, it’s never been easier to both restore and maintain a quality knife edge.
Top 6 Sharpening Stones
Sharp Pebble 3000/8000 Combination Sharpening Stone with Bamboo Base and Flattening Stone
Best for Those New to Sharpening
When your favorite kitchen knives begin to lose their edge, nothing saves you time and money faster than being able to hone them yourself. And if you have yet to master the skill of honing, this sharpening stone is a perfect start. Constructed from hard-wearing aluminum oxide, this double-sided stone uses a silicone grip to lock it into a tapered bamboo, non-slip block for a safe, secure working surface. With a 3000/8000 grit combination, you can sharpen everything from your dullest kitchen knives to pocket knives, and even hatchets on the one side, then hone and maintain their edge on the other. For best results and a pristine finish, this stone requires water-soaking prior to use as well as periodic maintenance with a flattening stone to level and preserve its surface.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
With the non-skid base and handy e-book guidelines, this stone is a perfect choice for those who are new to the art of knife sharpening and in need of a simple, easy-to-use block.
Pros:
- Sharpens and hones
- Non-slip bamboo base
- Generous length
- Includes how-to e-guide
Cons:
- Requires soaking before use
EmilyPro 360/1000 Pocket-Sized Combination Sharpening Stone with Leather Pouch
Best for Outdoorsy Types
If you love to camp, garden, or just spend time in the great outdoors, having a pocket-sized sharpening stone is just the ticket for keeping your tools prepped and in perfect working order. This handy little ceramic stone measures just 4-inches in length and is ideal for slipping into your pocket when you head outside to work in the yard, to set up camp, or to go fishing. This 2-sided stone features an extra coarse 360 diamond grit which is perfect for tackling dull shears or lawn-mower blades while the 1000 ceramic grit is quick to restore a sharp edge to your pocket knives or hatchets. It comes in a brown leather pouch which helps to preserve the stone surface and keep pockets free of metal dustings.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
The smaller size and coarser grit make this an ideal option for those who work outdoors and require a stone designed for sharpening tools.
Pros:
- Dual grits
- Extra-coarse for dull blades
- Pocket-sized
- Includes leather pouch
Cons:
- No safety block
G-Ting 1000/6000 Combination Sharpening Stone with Bamboo Base and Angle Guide
Best for Versatility
For those looking for an ultra-versatile sharpening stone that can tackle everything from knives and scissors to axes or chisels, look no further. This double-sided whetstone is made from ultra-durable aluminum oxide for a hard-wearing finish that requires no special oils before or during use. The 1000/6000 grit surfaces make it an ideal stone for restoring the edge to dulled tools or taking your knife blades to a razor-sharp finish. Best of all, you can’t go wrong because the hand-held honing guide lets you choose the optimal angle for the task at hand. And for fans of wood-working, an adjustable grooved clamp holds your chisels and planer blades tightly in place for an always perfect edge. A tapered bamboo block with a non-slip rubber base prevents shifting or slipping as you work.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
With the adjustable clamps, this is a great option for those wanting a stone that can take on tools such as chisels, planers, and heavier blades.
Pros:
- Dual grits
- Hand-held honing guide
- Adjustable clamp for chisels
- Slip-proof bamboo block
Cons:
- Requires pre-soaking
Professional 2000/3000 Ceramic Sharpening Rod with Firm-Grip Handle
Best for Last-Minute Sharpening
When you want to maintain a sharp edge on your favorite kitchen knives, you need a whetstone that is both quick and easy to use. And that’s where this handy sharpening rod steps up to the plate. Constructed using quality Japanese ceramics, it’s the perfect choice for when you just want to bring a quick edge to a dull knife before carving and serving up foods to friends and family. And because you don’t have to bring out a stone block and add oils or water, this sharpening rod is a faster, tidier way to prep your knives while in the midst of entertaining. The 11.5-inch rod’s comfortable grip means even the novice chef can safely run the entire length of their blade across the 2000 or 3000 grit surfaces for a razor-sharp finish.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
Its ease of use makes this a great option for those who entertain and just want to add a sharper edge to their knife right before carving. It doesn’t require water, oils, and lends a professional air when in use.
Pros:
- No oils or water required
- Quick and easy to use
- Finer grits for sharper edges
- Easy-grip handle
Cons:
- Hones rather than sharpens
DMT 325/600/1200 Sharpening Stones with Hardwood Storage Box
Best for Basic Sharpening
This 3-in-1 set of sharpening stones delivers the full range of grits needed to not only achieve a decent cutting edge on dull tools and blades but to also restore that all-important, razor-sharp finish you want on your favorite knives. Each of the 6-inch-long diamond-grit whetstones can be used with or without water and features a micronized monocrystalline diamond surface for added abrasion and long-lasting resilience. A coarse, 325-grit stone can quickly restore a working edge to tired tools while the finer, 600- and 1200-grit stones are ideal for polishing and refining the edges of your kitchen knives and shears. The generous size of these stones means they require just a few easy strokes to start bringing up immediate results while small surface recesses help collect any bits of metal filings for a cleaner sharpen.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
With 3 different grit levels, this set of stones is a truly versatile option for those who want to restore and maintain a variety of tools and knives without the hassle of special oils.
Pros:
- 3 different grit levels
- Durable diamond stone
- Does not require oil
- Protective storage box
Cons:
- Doesn’t include block holder
DMD 120/180 Combination Diamond Sharpening Stone with Rigid Aluminum Core
Best for Tackling Dull Tool Blades
If you find yourself working with gardening shears, planers, chisels, hatchets, or mower blades that have dulled and lost their usefulness over time, this sharpening stone is the perfect solution. It’s easy to use as a convenient hand-held option or it can be locked into a separate sink bridge for when two-handed sharpening is required. The lower-grit count results in a rougher abrasive finish that is ideal for removing the chips and dings that can accumulate along a blade edge with continual use. And because this double-sided stone uses steel plates electroplated with monocrystalline diamonds, it offers a superior, long-lasting grit that doesn’t require special oils to achieve results. The substantial length of this stone’s surface makes it ideally proportioned to restore a good working edge to larger blades in just a few simple strokes.
Who Should Buy This Sharpening Stone?
The extra coarse grit of this double-sided sharpening stone makes it the perfect choice for those who work around the house and garden and need their tools to be in perfect working order.
Pros:
- Long-lasting diamond stone construction
- Rigid aluminum core
- Coarser grit level ideal for tools
- Generous size for larger blades
Cons:
- Requires separate sink bridge holder
Bottom Line
No home or garden task requires a dull blade. And because, over time and with use, all tools and knives begin to lose their edge, a sharpening stone should be considered as important a home essential as the tools themselves. A great stone is easy to use -or learn to use – will stand-up over time, and with the wide range of grits available on the market, it will be quick to deliver precisely the edge you need for the task at hand. Whether it’s a razor-sharp finish to your sushi knives or just a cleaner, sharper edge to your mower blades. A sharpening stone is possibly the most inexpensive way to extend the life of your tools and to ensure you keep them in perfect working order.
Photo credit: Yuriy Golub/Shutterstock