The Best Sharpening Stones Of 2022
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It's no secret that kitchen knives dull with use. And once a knife loses its sharpness, you need to use more force to cut ingredients, increasing the chances that the blade may slip. This, in turn, exposes you to the danger of accidental cuts. There are a number of reasons knives don't remain sharp forever, including slicing on rough surfaces, improper storage, and cleaning them in the dishwasher (via FN Sharp).
Luckily, the right sharpening stone, or whetstone, can bring your knives back to life. Whether it's a paring knife, a steak knife, or even a pair of scissors, a quality sharpening stone can reshape a blade in minutes. Sharpening stones come in different grits, with lower grits indicating a coarser stone for refining and sharpening a dull blade and higher grits indicating finer stones usually used for polishing. Most sharpening stones are either composed of two sides with different grits or come in sets, giving you the option of using the coarse stone first and progressing to the finer stone to complete the job, as per the HDMD Blog.
How we selected products
Once upon a time, the world had no electric knife sharpeners, and the only way to revive a dull blade was by pulling it across a sharpening stone. While the world may have changed, many still swear by old-fashioned sharpening tools, saying that there's no substitute for elbow grease and total control over the sharpening process.
While sharpening stones may look simple, they come in many different types. Selecting what stone is best for your needs comes down to preference and the type of blades you will be sharpening. To help you along your quest, we have consulted countless expert and community reviews, looking at a number of very specific criteria. These included stone type (some stones require a lubricant), grit size, and additional accessories. Many sharpening stones come with holders, flattening stones, and angle guides so you can start working on your knives as soon as the purchase arrives on your doorstep.
Ready to give your knives a fresh edge? Check out our roundup of the best sharpening stones of 2022!
Best overall sharpening stone
Designed with two sides — 1,000 grit for sharpening blades and 6,000 grit for refining them — the Sharp Pebble premium knife sharpening stone is a firm favorite with both professional and amateur chefs. And this isn't just thanks to its high quality but also the accompanying accessories. The aluminum oxide whetstone comes with a rubberized bamboo base, a 20-degree angle guide, and an eBook filled with tips to ensure you get the most out of your new purchase (via Amazon).
In his review for Consumer Reports, Paul Hope writes that the Sharp Pebble premium knife sharpening stone is perfect for reviving and honing dull knives, although he adds that you may need something coarser for damaged blades. He also says that the stone needs to be soaked in water for 10 to 12 minutes prior to use, which is typical for whetstones of this type.
Standing testament to its quality and effectiveness, the Sharp Pebble premium knife sharpening stone has done extremely well with reviewers across various platforms, rating 9.2 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money and 9.4 out of 10 on The Review Index. The sharpening tool has also been praised by Amazon shoppers who have awarded it 4.6 out of 5 stars.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Sharp Pebble premium knife sharpening stone from Amazon starting at $39.99.
Best budget sharpening stone
A high-quality sharpening stone needn't cost an arm and a leg. And the Chefic sharpening stone is a prime example. With a price tag of just over $20, the whetstone features a 3,000 grit on the coarser side and an 8,000 grit on the finer side. While this doesn't make it ideal for heavily damaged blades, the stone is more than sufficient for sharpening the average kitchen knife (via Amazon).
To use the sharpening stone, soak it in water for around 10 minutes and place it in the accompanying bamboo base, using the re-leveling whetstone to ensure proper positioning. The Chefic sharpening stone comes with a handy angle guide to help you give your blades a sharp and consistent edge.
The Chefic sharpening stone has received an outstanding score of 9.7 out of 10 on Best Views Reviews. It's also been awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars by Amazon shoppers. While many reviewers praise the stone for its ease of use, some mention that they suspect that the sharpening tool isn't 3,000/8,000 grit as advertised. For instance, an Amazon reviewer who claims to be "fairly [experienced] in sharpening," says, "The 8000 grit is not [...] even a 5000 grit. I'd guess it's probably around 2000. And the 3000 [...] seems almost exactly the same as the 8k side. Maybe a little more coarse."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Chefic sharpening stone starting at $21.59.
Best sharpening stone for a splurge
Ready for use without water or oil, the SHAPTON ha no kuromaku ceramic whetstone set is composed of three stones mounted on glass plates, each displaying the stone's respective grit — 1,000, 5,000, and 8,000. Much thinner than most other sharpening tools, the stones are also ultra-hard, which means that they get rid of dull edges much faster than their competitors (via Knives and Tools). The three stones come with color-coded ventilated storage boxes that double as stone holders (via Amazon).
The SHAPTON ha no kuromaku ceramic whetstone set has a high satisfaction rating on Amazon, with customers awarding the kit 4.8 out of 5 stars. One Amazon customer, who says that she's been sharpening knives for the past two decades, praises the bundle, saying, "This set is amazing. Just amazing. [...] The stones are perfectly flat, true to grit rating, extremely slow to wear, and they cut quickly. [...] If I ever wear these out (which if it happens at all will be over a decade from now) I will purchase the exact same stones to replace them."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the SHAPTON ha no kuromaku ceramic whetstone set from Amazon starting at $164.65.
Best diamond sharpening stone
The Schaaf Tools diamond sharpening stone features a large 8-inch dual sharpening plate with 400 grit on one side and 1,000 on the other. Made with monocrystalline diamonds electroplated to a steel base, the stone is billed to be twice as efficient as other sharpening stones. This, of course, means faster results and less effort on your part. The stone is also easy to maintain and doesn't require soaking, oiling, or flattening prior to use. The Schaaf Tools diamond sharpening stone comes with an adjustable holder with a non-slip base that keeps it securely in place throughout the sharpening process (via Amazon).
Receiving 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the Schaaf Tools diamond sharpening stone has won fans with its large plate size, convenient holder, and ease of use. And while some Amazon shoppers mention the odd irregularity "where the grit covered bits of the lines," most say that this doesn't affect the gadget's overall performance.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Schaaf Tools diamond sharpening stone from Amazon starting at $52.99.
Best sharpening stone prefilled with oil
Billed as harder and more durable than other whetstones, the Norton knife sharpener combination grit oil stone is lubricated with oil and doesn't require pre-soaking in water (via Amazon). This makes the stone less messy to use and the sharpening process less time-consuming. According to the KnifeCenter, the oil also stops any metal or abrasive dust from becoming embedded in the stone.
Made with aluminum oxide, the Norton knife sharpener combination grit oil stone features two rather coarse sides — a 100 grit for repair and a 280 grit for sharpening. Keep in mind that despite its hefty price tag, the stone doesn't come with a holder. Nevertheless, the utensil has received a very solid rating of 4.8 out of 5 from Amazon shoppers, with 83% of reviewers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One Amazon customer calls the Norton knife sharpener combination grit oil stone an "under-appreciated classic," adding, "All you need to do to use this stone is put a little oil or WD40 on it, sharpen your tools, wipe it off with a paper towel, and then put it away. No soaking, no flattening, very little mess."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Norton knife sharpener combination grit oil stone from Amazon starting at $33.32.
Best sharpening stone set
From sharpening kitchen knives to reviving cleavers and sushi knives, the ShaPu premium whetstone knife sharpening set has you covered. The sharpening bundle comes with four double-sided aluminum oxide whetstones running the gamut of grits from 240 for repairing damaged blades to 10,000 for refined sharpening. Housed in a handy storage and carryiing case, the set also features a wooden base, a flattening stone, and an angle guide to aid you in your quest toward perfectly-sharpened blades.
The ShaPu premium whetstone knife sharpening set rates a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 76% of shoppers giving the kit 5 out of 5 stars. Many reviews say that they appreciate the fact that the set comes with everything you need to sharpen any knife, with one even mentioning that the stones leave their knives "scary sharp." Another satisfied Amazon customer says, "I sharpened an old 10-inch kitchen knife that we have had for decades that I don't think has ever been sharpened other than the failed attempts of using a honing steel. [...] Now it'll slice through a sheet of paper."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the ShaPu premium whetstone knife sharpening set from Amazon starting at $79.97.
Best sharpening stone system
Designed for ease of use, the Smith's TRI-HONE sharpening stones system features three sharpening stones set in a non-skid triangle holder. To select between fine (1,000 grit Arkansas stone), medium (800 grit synthetic stone), and coarse (300 grit synthetic stone) stones, simply rotate the device with the in-built handles. The kit includes an angle guide and a premium honing solution that acts as a lubricant during use.
The Smith's TRI-HONE sharpening stones system has received 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 4,000 Amazon shoppers, with 72% of customers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. A number of reviewers recommend the stone system for beginners, with one Amazon shopper saying, "If you're a knife enthusiast or for any other reason have been curious to try your hand at sharpening your own blades, this is the best tool with which to begin. And, like the best of tools, once you've moved [past] the beginner's stage, it will continue to serve you for many years."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Smith's TRI-HONE sharpening stones system from Amazon starting at $25.47.
Best pocket knife sharpening stone
Just three inches long and one inch wide, Dan's Whetstone Arkansas fine pocket knife sharpening stone is perfect for honing blades on the go. The stone comes in a cute leather pouch so you don't need to worry about accidentally damaging it in your pocket. As its name suggests, Dan's Whetstone Arkansas sharpening stone is made from Arkansas stone extracted from the Ouachita Mountains in Central Arkansas. This means that the stone can vary in color between white and gray (via Amazon).
Unlike most other sharpening stones, Dan's Whetstone Arkansas fine pocket knife sharpening stone doesn't come with a specific grit size. Instead, the stone is classified as fine, which means that it's designed for sharpening blades rather than repairing them. While we can't vouch for the accuracy of this statement, according to a shopper who has reviewed the stone for Amazon, the sharpening tool is "about a 1,500-grit stone equivalent" after it's broken in on a few knives.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Dan's Whetstone Arkansas fine pocket knife sharpening stone from Amazon starting at $20.95.
Best axe sharpening stone
Designed specifically for sharpening axes, the Sharp Pebble disk sharpening stone is much larger than your average kitchen sharpening tool. Measuring 3.9 inches in diameter, the 1.1-inch wide round stone comes in a stylish bamboo box, making it highly portable and easy to store when not in use. The stone features a two-sided grit combo — a 150-grit coarse black side for restoring sharp edges and a green 320-grit side for giving blades a finer finish.
Scoring a cool 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,500 Amazon shoppers, the Sharp Pebble disk sharpening stone is praised for its effectiveness and affordability. One Amazon reviewer says, "This one costs about a quarter of what the high-quality whetstones cost, so I jumped at it. It does a good job of sharpening my axes, hatchets, and probably [would even sharpen] shovels, if I wanted to do that." On the downside, some customers have complained about the bamboo box, saying that it "cracked after the first use" and that the stone "does not fit in the case."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Sharp Pebble disk sharpening stone from Amazon starting at $34.49.