Shopping
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
While some sharpening stones are simple to use, others require a more skilled hand. Particularly for beginners, the best sharpening stone for knives has an angle guide for ease and precision (this can come in the form of a little pyramid or other special marking). Also, most knives can't be sharpened with just one stone — at least not very well. To get your knife fine-tuned, you'll need different levels of coarseness so look for something with at least two grit types.
Before you start shopping, it helps to understand some of the different types of sharpening stones (also known as “whetstones”). Diamond stones are a popular option among professionals and home cooks alike in part because they’re durable, work quickly, and can be used without oil or water. Meanwhile, Arkansas stones can be used with either oil or water, and they’re also relatively tough and fast-working. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly option, some synthetic stones can still get the job done (though, at the budget price-point, you’ll likely have to sacrifice the angle guide).
What grit type should I use to sharpen my knife?
Generally speaking, coarser stones are used for filing down dull blades, while finer stones are used to detail knives that are already fairly sharp. The lower the grit rating, the coarser the stone. A 180- to 400-grit stone is ideal for extra dull blades when you're first starting the job, or for repairing chips and reshaping. But when your knife is fairly sharp and you’re just looking to fine-tune the edges, 1,000 grip or higher should get the job done.
With these considerations in mind, read on for the best sharpening stones for knives so you can find the one that fits your needs and skill set the best.
1
This Heavy-Duty Diamond Whetstone That's Extra Tough And Durable
This oil-free diamond sharpening stone is a fantastic, heavy-duty option that's durable and effective without being big and clunky. It's constructed with tough monocrystalline diamonds that are electroplated onto a sturdy steel base so it won't wobble when you use it. The block features two coarseness types: a 325-grit stone for quick edging and a 1,200-grit option for fine-tuning. It also has a helpful angling pyramid (with 14-, 17-, 20-, and 25-degree angles) that helps gives you more precision. The flat surface ensures consistent contact and the storage box has a no-slip pad to further prevent moving and shaking.
One reviewer wrote: "This is a great sharpening stone. The material is really well made, and sharpened my Swiss army knife wicked sharp. The packaging was good, easy to open, just by folding the cardboard. The angle pyramid thing is nice, it has a magnet on the bottom, so it stays in place for each stroke. The case is really nice as well. Rubber padding on bottom [...] Overall, very happy with the purchase!
2
This Rotating Three-Piece System That Uses Genuine Arkansas Stones
Made with three rotating stones for easy access, this versatile Arkansas whetstone is simple to use and highly effective. It sharpens knives and other tools quickly using an oil-based honing solution, and it doesn't take up much space. To rotate through the three grit types, which range from 400 to 1,200 grit, simply turn the knob on the side to line it up on the front. This option has an angling guide to keep things precise and an anti-skid base to hold it in place. The finer stones are made from genuine Arkansas diamond, and the coarse one consists of a thick synthetic stone. Underneath, this sharpener has a little drop to catch the oil, and it comes with its own bottle of solution.
One reviewer wrote: "This is a beautifully designed piece of equipment. The stones are clearly marked at the end, where those red tabs on the side indicate as to which are the coarse, medium or fine grain stones. Switching to each stone is as easy as lifting one of the sections that holds the stone, then turning it to the stone you want to use and re-seating it back into the base. The base is sturdy and stays in place during use without sliding or moving. Highly recommend.
3
This Budget Tool Sharpener That Reviewers Also Love For Kitchen Knives
If you're looking for a way to sharpen knives without spending much money, this cheap sharpening stone is a great alternative. It boasts thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, and while it's primarily meant for tools, reviewers noted that it works well for knives, too. It's made from synthetic stone with two coarseness types, 120- and 280-grit, making it perfect for bringing new life to chipped or very dull knives (though it won’t give you the extra-sharp edge of a fine-grit stone). It's contoured for easy angling, and it’s relatively portable if you want to take it out in the field. Whats more, it's simple to use and, as a bonus, you can also use it for things like shovels, axes, and lawnmower blades. While it may not be the absolute best option for knives, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for something cheap and versatile.
One reviewer wrote: "This thing is AMAZING [...] I decided to test it on what was effectively a butter knife by this point. Result: impressive. Just a couple minutes and that thing went through paper like there was nothing there. It went through meat like butter. It was glorious. BUY THIS PUCK. You will not regret it."
4
A Portable Sharpening Tool That's Perfect For Travel Or Field Repairs
Sometimes it's nice to have a tool that's more compact — and this portable stone for sharpening knives is just the ticket. The lightweight gadget has a regular tungsten carbide sharpener for quick results, along with a 1,000-grit ceramic piece for fine-tuning. Additionally, it has an angled ceramic edge to work on serrated knives, and a 600-grit diamond-tapered rod that pulls out for tools like gut hooks and curved serrations. All in all, this sharpener is versatile, easy to carry, and effective.
One reviewer wrote: "Wow! My father and grandfather were both carpenters. I grew up using a whetstone, oil, and a leather strop to sharpen blades. And that works great when you're at home on a bench. But it's not really an option when you're far from home in the woods [...] I bought this as my first pull through sharpener not really knowing how well it would work or if I'd like it. It's great! [...] The end result is probably 90% of the way to a razor sharp blade produced by a whetstone for someone with the skill to use it. But this takes far less time and almost no skill. And the thing is tiny. For a survival situation or putting an edge on a work knife quickly , this thing is great!"
