Are your kitchen knives or cutting tools losing their sharp edge and brilliant shine? Using a knife with a dull blade is not only frustrating but it can be dangerous and cause accidents. One of the most effective ways to keep your knives and tools honed, razor-sharp and highly polished is with a whetstone.
The Top 10 Best Whetstones
- Sharp Pebble Premium Knife Sharpening Stone (Our Top Pick)
- Kota Japan Combination Dual Sided 2000-5000 Grit Diamond Knife Sharpener
- KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone
- Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. Genuine Arkansas Black Surgical (Ultra Fine) Pocket Knife Sharpening Whetstone
- Chefic Whetstone Sharpening Stone 1000/4000 Grit
- Norton 614636855653 IB8 Fine/Coarse India Combination Oilstone
- Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone-Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Water Stone-Sharpener
- Fallkniven CC4 Ceramic Whetstone Sharpener
- DMT W6EFC Three 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone Models in Hard Wood Box
- TAIDEA 600/2000 Grit Combination Corundum Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
Our Top Pick for the Best Whetstone
Our top pick for the best whetstone is the Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone.
If you are fed up with working with dull kitchen knives or other types of cutting tools that have lost their sharp edge, the Sharp Pebble professional-grade whetstone will bring the blades back to life. With a premium quality fine and coarse grit combination, your blades will be razor sharp and their polish will shine like the sun.
Check the price on AmazonHandy Sharpening Tools
A handy tool for any home, a whetstone is known for its superior sharpening, honing, and polishing abilities for all types of knives and cutting tools such as:
- Kitchen knives like a bread knife, a butcher knife or a cleaver
- Hunting knives
- Pockets knives like a Swiss army knife
- Tactical or bushcraft knives
- Razors
- Garden tools like shears
- Swords
- Chisels
- Machetes
- Woodworking and art knives
- Axes
Whetstone Design
A whetstone or sharpening stone will have either a one-sided or a dual-sided design. Although one-sided whetstones are ideal for quick touch-ups, a dual-sided whetstone gives you extra sharpening versatility. You can use one side for sharpening and honing and the other side for polishing and finishing the blade.
How to Use A Whetstone
To use a whetstone you run the knife’s blade back and forth across the stone’s surface and due to the constant friction with the stone, which acts like a piece of sandpaper, the knife’s edge becomes razor sharp and has a brilliant mirror shine.
We explain the steps in detail in our post How to Sharpen a Knife.
If you are a beginner at using a whetstone it can take a while to master the sharpening process, so here is a video as well to help you with your sharpening stone skills.
Types of Whetstones
There are four types of whetstones: oil stones, water stones, ceramic, and diamond stones.
1. Oilstones
Oilstones, like the Norton whetstone, can be made out of natural or synthetic material like Novaculite, Aluminium Oxide, or Silicon Carbide. As per the name, oilstones require the use of oil as you sharpen your knife’s blade.
This type of stone is slower at sharpening or honing a blade and it can be messy and you need to always have some oil on hand but it creates a nice sharp edge and a beautiful polish.
2. Water Stones
Water stones can also be made out of natural or synthetic materials and they are fast becoming the most popular type of whetstone as they only require the use of water to lubricate the stone. They are not as messy to work with as an oil stone and deliver fast sharpening results but for even better results, soak the stone in water for 5 or 10 minutes.
The downside of using a water stone is that it can be quite soft and can wear down more easily compared to other stones.
3. Ceramic Stones
Ceramic whetstones are meant to be used without water or oil, which means they can be used almost anywhere and are ideal for chefs or cooks who have limited working spaces. They will give you a very sharp blade and as their surface is very hard they will maintain their flat surfaces over the long-term, but as they have a fine grit, they can break if you drop the stone.
4. Diamond Stones
Diamond whetstones, like the DMT Diamond Whetstone, are made out of industrial type diamonds which create a long-lasting hard, coarse and flat surface. A diamond whetstone is an excellent choice for when you are outdoors as you can use it dry or with a lubricant. It can take some time getting used to and the larger sized stone may not be ideal for working with small knives or cutting tools.
Grit, Base and Angle Guides
Grit Range
The secret to a whetstone’s success lies in its grit. The grit of the stone makes a blade sharp by shaving off the metal on the blade while it is applied to the grit’s surface to produce a new sharp edge.
Grit ranges can start as low as 240 and as high as 8000. When it comes to the grit range, the higher the number, the finer the grit. The different types of grits that are available are indicated below in the basic Japanese grit guide.
- Coarse grit: 200-800
- Medium grit: 800-1500
- Fine grit: higher than 1500
Grit Usage
- Less than 1000 grit is typically used to repair knives with chipped edges
- 1000 to 3000 grit is used to sharpen dull knives
- 4000 to 8000 grit is used for finishing and refining a knife’s edge
Base
A good base will help prevent the stone from sliding around as you sharpen your knife. Most bases are rubber silicone, plastic, bamboo or hardwood. A rubber silicone base will ensure the stability of the stone. Plastic can be used around water, but bamboo and hardwood bases look beautiful but may not last very long if they get wet.
Angle guide
If you are new to sharpening, an angle guide helps to support and hold the knife’s blade at the right angle for effective sharpening, which can also help to prevent an accident.
Best Whetstone Reviews
1. Sharp Pebble Premium Knife Sharpening Stone
Whatever type of knife or cutting tool you need to sharpen, this premium quality Whetstone from Sharp Pebble is designed to sharpen almost any type of blade: kitchen knives, hunting knives, pocket knives, scissors, chisels, Wusthof knives, razors, and it can even sharp an ax.
The durable water stone whetstone is made of aluminum oxide which is imported from Japan, and the two-sided 1000/6000 coarse and fine combination can be used for sharpening, refining and polishing a blade.
For stability and extra safety, the stone is securely held in place inside the non-slip bamboo sturdy base with strong silicone and the base is extra high, which makes the sharpening process quick and easy.
There is no need to use oil, just add water and the knife angle guide helps you to maintain the correct angle and safely apply consistent pressure while sharpening a blade.
The whetstone is very easy to use but if you have never used a sharpening stone before, you can use the e-book manual that contains step by step instructions and extra tips on how to effectively use the stone.
Pros
- Superior sharpening kit
- Great value for money
- Premium quality professional grade whetstone
- Excellent sharpening performance
- No need for oil lubricant
- Two-sided stone
- Coarse and fine grit combination
- Can be used for a wide range of knives and cutting tools
- Silicone base securely holds the stone inside the non-slip bamboo base
- Knife sharpening angle guide
- Easy to use
- Ideal for beginners or professionals
- Detailed eBook manual
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Bamboo can develop mildew or crack if wet
- Fine side grit is a little soft
- Stone is a little too wide for smaller blades
2. Kota Japan Combination Dual Sided 2000-5000 Grit Diamond Knife Sharpener
The Japanese style Whetstone from Kota Japan is perfect for specific sharpening tasks like repairing old, dull and damaged kitchen knives and creates a razor-sharp edge.
This sharpening stone set includes a two-sided water stone that has a 2000 grit which allows you to remove dullness from a blunt edge and prepare it for further honing and the 5000 grit increases sharpness and adds a polished shine.
A versatile sharpening stone, you can use it to sharpen kitchen knives, as well as chef’s knives, hunting knives, razors, scissors, pruning tools, Japanese knives, swords, or straight razors.
The whetstone does not need any oil and for best sharpening results, soak the stone in water for five minutes first. For extra sharpening safety and storage, the stone comes in a beautifully polished bamboo box with a non-slip rubber base. The angle guide helps you to maintain the right angle for your knives or cutting tools.
Kota Japan also includes a Free Sharpening Stone Guide and a Bonus instructional E-book that will help you to keep your quality whetstone and knives in optimal condition.
The whetstone kit is covered by a 100% money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Extremely affordable price
- Whetstone has a great sharpening performance
- Complete all-in-one sharpening stone set
- High versatility: can be used for kitchen knives or other tools
- Removes dullness, sharpens and polishes
- No oil required
- Beautifully polished bamboo box with a non-slip rubber base
- Free angle guide
- Bonus instructional eBook
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Synthetic whetstone can wear out quickly
- Bamboo can develop mold
- Fine grit can get very slippery
- Writing on the side of the 2000 git makes it hard to finish a blade
3. KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone
If your kitchen, gardening or woodworking blades have become dull and lost their shine, the KING KW65 Grit Combination Whetstone will restore their sharpness and brilliant mirror finish.
King is a trusted name in sharpening stones and their Japanese style combination whetstone is made from quality ceramic which is specially designed for stainless steel and carbon knives.
The dual-sided stone has a 1000 grit side that hones the blade and the 6000 grit can be used to apply finishing touches, which will transform your dull blade into a sharp and smooth blade edge that is ready for all types of cutting applications.
To keep the whetstone securely on the kitchen countertop, it has a sturdy light brown plastic base.
If you have never used a whetstone, you will have to watch some Youtube videos as the included instructions are in Japanese.
Pros
- High quality
- Reasonable price
- Excellent value for money
- Made in Japan
- Ideal for beginners and professionals
- Larger size makes sharpening knives easier
- Designed for stainless steel and carbon knives
- Outstanding sharpening and polishing ability
- 1000 grit for medium grit sharpening and 6000 for finishing
- Sturdy light brown plastic base
Cons
- Stone might be too soft for some knives
- Not ideal for serrated knives
- Does not include angle guide
- Instructions are in Japanese
4. Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. Genuine Arkansas Black Surgical (Ultra Fine) Pocket Knife Whetstone
This stunning Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone Whetstone from Dan’s Whetstone Company Inc. is tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters as it is perfect for on the spot blade touch-ups.
The whetstone is made from genuine Arkansas Novaculite stone which is a highly sought after stone due to its extreme hardness and superior ability to sharpen knives and woodworking tools, as well as putting quality edges on a wide variety of surgical tools.
The black whetstone has a grit that ranges between 5000 and 8000 grit and will hone and polish and create an ultra-sharp edge on all types of knives and cutting tools.
For effective sharpening, the Arkansas whetstone works best with light mineral honing oil that suspends the metal particles that are produced by the sharpening process and prevents clogging of the pores of the stone.
To keep your whetstone in prime condition and for extra portability, the whetstone comes in a stylish handcrafted leather pouch.
The color of the stone can vary from dark grey to blue/black to black.
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Great price
- Genuine black surgical Arkansas stone
- Contains extremely hard high-purity silica Novaculite
- 100% quarried in the Ouachita Mountains of Central Arkansas
- Extra hard surface
- Can be used for all types of knives and cutting tools
- Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters
- 5000-8000 grit range
- Beautiful hand-crafted leather pouch
- Highly effective at honing, polishing and creating an ultra-sharp razor-sharp edge
- Creates a nice finish on any type of blade
- Very sharp edges
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Color can vary from dark grey to blue/black to black
- No specific grit
- Small surface
5. Chefic Whetstone Sharpening Stone 1000/4000 Grit
Whether you need to sharpen a kitchen knife or a hunting knife, the sleek and stylish Chefic Whetstone will sharpen and hone your knives fast!
The 1000/4000 coarse and fine grit whetstone is made with professional-grade thick white corundum and its large working surface is ideal for large chef’s knives and hunter’s knives.
The 1000 grit is perfect for restoring dull blades, repairing damaged or chipped edges, establishing a new bevel angle and provides very fast metal removal, and the 4000 grit gives a factory sharpness.
A versatile whetstone, the Chefic sharpening stone can be used for almost any type of knife or cutting tool: kitchen knives, hunting knives, kitchen shears, pocket knives, chef’s knives, paring knives, straight razors, precision tools, garden tools, and some art knives but it is not to be used on serrated blades or ceramic knives.
This whetstone is corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, with clearly demarcated edges and the non-slip black silicone base keeps the stone firmly in place while providing a steady platform for better angling and safer sharpening.
If you are not satisfied with the Chefic whetstone, the manufacturer offers a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Excellent price
- Very good value for money
- Sleek appearance
- Made of thick and solid white corundum
- Corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, edges and corners are clearly demarcated
- Large working surface
- Grit numbers clearly marked on the stone
- Ideal for large chef’s kitchen and hunting knives, garden tools and art knives
- Coarse and fine grit in one sharpening stone
- Very good sharpening ability
- Repairs dull blades and damaged or chipped edges
- Sharpens blade to a factory sharp edge
- Non-slip silicone base
- 30-day 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not ideal for serrated blades and ceramic knives
- Can leave chips on some edges
- Stone wears away quickly with heavy-duty use
6. Norton 614636855653 IB8 Fine/Coarse India Combination Oilstone
For a quick and easy way of repairing and maintaining knives and other types of cutting tools, the Norton Combination Oilstone is a very good choice.
The 100/320-grit combination oilstone is made of aluminum oxide which has a tough fracture and wear-resistant grit and capable of sharpening to very close tolerances.
You can use the oilstone on chisels, kitchen knives, woodworking plane blades, and precision instruments and it produces strong, keen, long-lasting edges.
The dual-sided oilstone has a 100 coarse grit for repairing steel blades and the 320 fine grit sharpens and maintains the blade for a smooth cutting edge and long-lasting sharpness.
As opposed to water whetstones that require you to pre-soak the stone, the Norton oil stone is pre-filled with oil to save time and eliminate the need to pre-soak it prior to use and the lubricant stays on the surface during sharpening. The oil also prevents metal from bonding with the abrasive surface by flushing away dislodged abrasive and metal chips.
To clean the stone, use kerosene with a stiff brush. Let it dry for a day and then soak the stone in oil.
Pros
- High quality
- Very affordable
- Great all round sharpening stone
- Ideal for chisels, kitchen knives, woodworking plane blades, and precision instruments
- Coarse and fine grit combination
- Durable aluminum oxide
- Produces smooth-cutting, long-lasting, keen edges
- Pre-filled with oil
- Lubricant stays on the surface
- Oil prevents metal from bonding with the abrasive surface
- Repairs and sharpens knives quickly
- Oilstone is more durable and harder than a water stone
Cons
- Stone appears hollow in the center
- No angle guide or base
7. Whetstone Cutlery 20-10960 Knife Sharpening Stone-Dual Sided 400/1000 Grit Water Stone-Sharpener
A highly versatile sharpening water stone, the Whetstone Cutlery Two-Sided Whetstone is specially designed to restore shape and sharpness and a highly polished finish to dull kitchen knives, but it can also be used for hunting knives, pocket knives, scissors, razors, hatchets, axes, and gardening tools.
The dual-sided whetstone is made from durable silicon carbide and has 400 grit on one side to sharpen the dullest blades and 1000 grit on the other side to create a nice smooth finish once the blade has been sharpened.
The stone also forms a nice slurry that helps polish the blade for a superb shine. The stone is meant to be used with water, not oil and for best results, simply soak stone for 5-10 minutes before use, and lubricate with additional water as needed when sharpening.
One of the larger whetstones and it is ideal for large knives and tools but it can take up a lot of room on the kitchen countertop or workspace.
The whetstone does not come with a base so just use a towel underneath while you sharpen your knife.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent price
- Very effective
- Premium quality silicon carbide
- Durable
- Restores original shape and sharpness and smooths and polishes
- No need to add oil
- Multi-functional
- Ideal for a wide range of kitchen, household, hunting, and gardening knives or tools
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Stone may be too soft for some sharpening applications
- Absorbs water quickly
- Very bulky
8. Fallkniven CC4 Ceramic Whetstone Sharpener
If you like to go camping or explore the wilderness, the Fallkniven Whetstone is the perfect sharpening tool for all your knives and cutting tools.
The newly designed dual-sided combination whetstone from Fallkniven features a super fine white ceramic stone (0, 1 micron) with a grit of 1400 to 2000 and the dark grey ceramic stone is made of synthetic sapphires (1 micron) and has a grit of 800-1000.
There is no need to add any oil or water, just lay the blade on the stone, raise the blade’s spine and deburr your blade on the grey side until it has a razor-sharp edge and then use the smooth white side to get a nice polished edge.
If your knife is especially dull, Falkniven recommends that you start sharpening your knife with a diamond stone until it has been restored to its original shape, and then hone the blade for a long-lasting sharpness with their superb stone.
The ceramic whetstone is compact and fits well in the hand and it is very easy to clean with water and liquid soap. To keep it safely stored, the stone comes with a leather pouch and it fits easily in your pocket.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- New design
- Affordable price
- Great combination of superfine ceramic stone and ceramic stone made of synthetic sapphires
- No oil or water lubrication needed
- Highly effective at restoring sharpness and polishing
- Creates a nice fine edge quickly
- Compact and fits well in the hand
- Easy to clean
- Durable leather pouch
Cons
- Not coarse enough to get nicks out of a blade
- Not suitable for very dull blades
9. DMT W6EFC Three 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone Models in Hard Wood Box
If your kitchen, hunting, camping knife, gardening or woodworking tools are extremely dull, the DMT® Diamond 3-in-1 Whetstone can fulfill a wide variety of blade sharpening needs.
Using the strength of industrial high precision superior mono-crystalline diamonds, Diamond Machining Technology (DMT) has created a durable longer-lasting flat sharpening surface that will efficiently sharpen, hone, deburr and polish almost any type of knife or cutting tool.
The DMT set contains three one-sided whetstones that have extra-fine, fine, and coarse grits which means you have a complete sharpening system at your fingertips.
Each diamond whetstone has a wide surface that can accommodate a variety of knives and tools and it can be used to sharpen straight and convex blade edges.
There are no messy oils needed and you can sharpen your blades dry or just add water.
A great gift for any chef or knife enthusiast – the diamond stones are displayed in a beautiful hardwood box and they are easy to clean.
DMT is committed to providing the best diamond sharpeners in the marketplace so if their whetstones are found to be defective, they offer a 100% replacement guarantee.
Pros
- Superior quality
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Great value 3-in-1 set
- Very good combination of extra-fine, fine, and coarse grits
- DMT’s special mono-crystalline diamond surface
- Can use the stone dry or with water
- Durable construction
- Coarse diamond surface transforms a dull edge, sharpens and polishes
- Precise diamond sizing for consistent sharpening and longer blade life
- Flat surface for even sharpening
- Fast and effective sharpening action
- Can be used for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor knives and cutting tools
- Fits easily on most counters or workbenches
- Easy to clean
- 100% replacement guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- Takes a while to learn the right technique
- Surface may be too small for large knives
10. TAIDEA 600/2000 Grit Combination Corundum Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
Whatever type of knife or cutting tool you need to sharpen, the TAIDEA Whetstone is an effective sharpening tool that comes at a very affordable price.
This double-sided whetstone is made of high-grade corundum and the 2000 coarse grind repairs a damaged blade and the 600 fine grit side polishes the edge to a nice smooth finish.
For quick and easy sharpening for all types of knives and tools like kitchen knives, hunting knives, chisels razors or an ax, the whetstone has a silica gel non-slip base that keeps it secure on the kitchen countertop or work platform.
To get the best results from the whetstone, soak it in water for about 5 to 10 minutes and keep the stone slightly wet during the sharpening and polishing process.
Taidea offers a 3-year warranty and lifelong customer service on the whetstone.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Highly effective at sharpening and polishing
- High-grade corundum
- Can sharpen almost any type of blade
- Double-sided sharpening design
- 2000 grit coarse grinding and 600 fine grit
- Makes edges very sharp
- Just add water
- Sturdy silica gel non-slip base
- 3-year warranty
- Lifelong customer service
Cons
- Too soft for woodworking tools
Our Top Pick for the Best Whetstone
Our top pick for the best whetstone is the Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone.
If you are fed up with working with dull kitchen knives or other types of cutting tools that have lost their sharp edge, the Sharp Pebble professional-grade whetstone will bring the blades back to life. With a premium quality fine and coarse grit combination, your blades will be razor sharp and their polish will shine like the sun.
Check the price on Amazon
