The is one of the most essential tools in the kitchen. At the same time, a can be as useless as your storeroom wastage. It doesn’t matter if you are a vegetarian or a nonvegetarian, the necessity of a will be the same for you and every single member of your house. The more you use the the duller the of the gets. A will not work according to your satisfaction rather you will get more disappointed. A will take more time and effort to cut a single piece of meat, vegetable, or fruit.
In this article, we will get you introduced to whetstones and will explain the usability, function, and advantages of using whetstones. We will describe the top 10 best whetstones on the market as well. So let’s get started.
What is Whetstone?
Whetstone, also referred to as water stone is a kind of sharpening stone to sharpen Japanese knives or any other tools that contain a blade. The word ‘Whet’ means ‘to sharpen’.
The history of the whetstone is very old and a part of Japanese culture and heritage. At first, whetstones were used to sharpen up the knives and swords used by the Japanese soldiers for military purposes. Thanks, t0 the historical importance of the whetstone, the Japanese still produce the best blades and whetstones in the world.
There are various types of whetstones depending on purpose, size, price, and function. Not every whetstone will be suitable for a particular purpose.
Types of Whetstones
Natural Whetstones
Whetstones are usually found in nature in form of mine. Basically, they are found in some places of the USA and various areas in Japan. The most famous and well-known stone that has been used to make whetstones is called Novaculite. It’s also called Arkansas stone as the majority amount of this stone is found in Arkansas. Novaculite stones are popular for their hard structure and longevity. Arkansas stones have been used for multiple generations in some of the regions.
On the other side, the most common whetstones that are being used all over the world are made from sedimentary rock. This stone is softer compared to the Novaculite stone, so it makes the sharpening process rapid than usual.
Other than these two, there are no whetstone mines in Japan. The most famous mining spot was in the north of Kyoto which has been closed for years. For that reason, getting natural stone sharpeners are difficult and much expensive. These days natural stones are only used for specialized purposes.
Synthetic Whetstones
Most of the whetstones that are found on the market are synthetic or artificial stones. They have numerous advantages over natural stones. They are easy to get, so pretty affordable to purchase. They are manufactured artificially, so easy to obtain and operate. They are sharper than the natural stones so they cut faster. Synthetic stones are made from aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, so it makes the sharpening process more frequent and rapid. And the result is also higher than expected.
There are three different types of synthetic stones:
Synthetic Water Stone
Water stones are lubricated with water before the sharpening process. Most of the Japanese traditional knives are sharped with water. In modern days many American companies are also producing synthetic Waterstones. Water stones wear down faster and sharpen the knives faster than the oil stones. Water stones are easy to maintain and operate. Most of the people prefer water stones over oil stones as water is more frequently found everywhere when you have to purchase premium quality oil for the oil stones which will cost you some dollars.
Synthetic Oil Stones
Oil stones have to be applied oil before sharpening. There are some particular stones that are used as oil stones. One of the most famous oil stones is Novaculite. This natural stone is also used by putting some oil on it before sharpening.
Note that, once you use oil in a stone, then using water will make the stone ineffective.
Diamond Stones
As diamonds are the hardest mineral on the earth, they have been used in whetstones for years. They sharpen the blades so fast and provide an extremely sharp edge. Diamond stones are basically made with a steel plate with small coated diamonds on it. These stones don’t require water or oil as a lubricator. The major demerit of diamond stones are, these stone are far expensive.
What is The Best Japanese Whetstones?
Japanese whetstones are well recognized all over the world for their fantastic work. These whetstones are the best to restore your knife’s sharpness to its high. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 best Japanese whetstones knife sharpeners to keep your blade sharp.
1. Yoshihiro Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener
Here comes the number one. Yoshihiro Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener is undoubtedly the best whetstone. We didn’t have to think twice to keep it at the top of our list. For those who are looking for a lightweight Japanese whetstone, Yoshihiro Knife Sharpener will be the best choice for them. The stone is finely manufactured and well balanced, so you can control the knife properly while sharpening. Moreover, the whetstone is a bit larger compared to the other stones, which will make the sharpening process easier. The price range is a little bit higher which is the only drawback of the product.
Features:
- Provides accurate sharpening
- Has a sturdy and strong structure.
- Made of good quality materials.
2. KNIFEPLANET Knife Sharpening Stone Set
KNIFEPLANET is a well-known company especially famous for its hard work, dedication, and commitment to quality products. KNIFEPLANET whetstones are full of features. Firstly, they are made of alumina oxide which is famous for its strong structure. The stone has 4 sturdy sharpening grits. The 400/1,000 grit will do the sharpening process and the 3,000/8,000 grit will polish the edge of the knife smoothly. There are also 2 rubber bases to avoid slippage during sharpening your knife.
Features:
- Easy and convenient to use
- Durable and sturdy
- Affordable
3. KING Japanese Sharpening Stone
KING Japanese Sharpening Stone is another beauty, manufactured by the KING Japanese Knife company. The stone has 1000 grits on one side to sharpen the blade and make it smooth. The other side contains 6000 grits for honing the blade The both sides work fantastically to make the edge sharpen and smooth. The KING Japanese sharpening stone is a set of two different stones, one of which we mentioned already, the other one is a Nagura stone, Nagura is a Japanese traditional word that means “correcting”. The set also contains a plastic stand. During the sharpening process, the mixture of whetstone dust and water creates a high-quality slurry that flattens the high spot of the sharpener surface. This pasty slurry makes it easy to sharpen the blade of the knife.
Features:
- Contains plastic stand
- convenient to use
- Affordable
4. Kai Japanese Professional Knife Sharpen
Kai Japanese Professional Knife contains 240 grit surface and a medium 1000 grit surface along with rust remover. Kai whetstone is one of the most favorite sharpeners to many professional chefs to get their knives the ultimate sharpness and they also recommend the knife to everyone. You can use the stone with or without water, but never ever use oil to complete the process. The stone is not only used to sharpen the knives but also other weapons like samurai swords, sushi knives, kama, and others. The products come at a very affordable price.
Features:
- Contain rust remover
- Recommended by professional chefs
- The price is affordable
- Save an extra $2.00 as of 2022
5. Kota Japan Premium Whetstone
Kota Japanese Whetstone kit contains two different surfaces, one side contains 3000 and the other one includes 8000 grits. That apart, the set comes with an adjustable bamboo base holder and a nonslip rubber base which makes sure the knife won’t slip during the sharpening process. Kota Japanese Whetstone is bigger in size with a heavy-duty structure and longer edges. The set comes with an e-book instruction guide to ensure you complete the sharpening process without any hardship.
Features:
- Adjustable with the stand
- Includes dual-sided surface
- Contains a nonslip rubber base
6. Culinary Obsession Whetstone
This premium-grade quality honing whetstone is made of aluminum oxide. Also, the non-slip rubber base keeps the stone steady and adjustable free-angle height so that you can adjust the stone according to the angle of the blade while sharpening. Culinary Obsession Whetstone contains two different sharpening surfaces, one of them is 1000 grits which is basically used for easy sharpening and the other one is 6000 grits that work for polishing. Apart from knives, this whetstone is capable of sharping razor blades, pocket knives, scissors, machetes, scissors, and even axes. Culinary Obsession Whetstone provides 1-year no-risk money-back guarantee.
Features:
- Good choice for the beginner users
- Risk-free commitment
- Contains money-back guarantee
7. Mizu 1000/6000 Grit Premium Whetstone
According to professional knifemakers, Mizu Premium is one of the most exclusive whetstones for sharpening knives. Similar to the other whetstones on our list, this one also comes with two different sides. One of them contains 1000 grits which are used to sharpen the blade and the other side with 6000 grits works for polishing and smoothing the edges. The set includes a nonslip rubber base to keep the stone steady while sharpening and similar to the other ordinary stone, it also contains a bamboo stand for keeping the balance of the stone during the sharpening process. The brand provides a 100% satisfying guarantee.
Features:
- Adjustable with the stand
- Includes dual-sided surface
- Contains a nonslip rubber base
8. Grocery Art Knife Sharpening Whetstone
Grocery Art Knife Sharpening Whetstone is one of the best knife sharpening stones for professionals. It contains a non-slip rubber base which keeps the stone steady and adjustable free-angle height so that you can adjust the stone according to the angle of the blade while sharpening. Grocery Art Knife Sharpening Whetstone contains two different sharpening surfaces, one of them is 1000 grits which is basically used for easy sharpening and the other one is 6000 grits that work for polishing. Apart from knives, this whetstone is capable of sharping razor blades, pocket knives, scissors, machetes, scissors, and even axes. Grocery Whetstone provides 1-year no-risk money-back guarantee.
Features:
- Good choice for the beginner users
- Risk-free commitment
- Contains money-back guarantee
9. Ha no, Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone
Unlike the other whetstones in our list, this Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone has only one sided sharpening surface.The polishing power of this stone is excellent. Contains anti slipping rubber bases and easy to carry. As it’s a diamond grit whetstone, it’s best choice for the beginningers. With a very normal design it does the job very well to sharpen your knife and bring it’s sharpness back. You don’t have to use water or oil to sharpen your tools. The stone contains a balance stand and 2 rubber bases to prevent slipping during sharpenning process.
Features:
- Contains plastic stand
- convenient to use
- Affordable
10. Naniwa 1000 Grit Ceramic Whetstone
This premium sharpening stone is a great choice for beginners to professionals. All the people that use stones to sharpen up their blades recommend this one to everyone. We have also found numerous positive customer reviews on Amazon. The stone is mostly lubricated with water before sharpening. The thickness of the stone ensures its durability and allows you to sharpen the blades without any effort. The set contains a plastic stand to keep the stone steady while sharpening. The set also comes with a nonslip rubber band to prevent the stone from slipping and ease the sharpening work.
Features:
- Contains plastic stand
- convenient to use
- Affordable
How To Use Japanese Whetstones
Step 1. Preparing for Sharpening
At first, put the whetstone in a bowl of water to let the air bubbles pass through. After 5 or 10 minutes, bring the stone out. It’s very important to have a look at the edges of the knives to understand the condition before sharpening. You should not sharpen the blade more than once every 6 months.
Step 2. Sharpening Face Side of Blade
It is very important to keep the angle the same while sharpening. You can put a coin underneath the blade for a better acknowledgment of the height of the blade. Place the knife on the stone. Put your three middle fingers on the opposite surface of the blade while grabbing the handle with the other hand. Now stroke the knife back and forth by putting pressure on the blade. Five strokes might get the job done. Check the edge, if it has been sharpened properly. If it’s not according to your expectation, do another five.
Step 3. Sharpening Opposite Side of Blade
Repeat the same procedure on the other surface. Remember, both sides must be sharpened equally. The stroke amount and the angle of the blade should be equal for both sides. After completing, you are all ready to go. Bring an apple out of your refrigerator and smash it with the sharp blade of your sweet knife.
Things To Consider Before Buying the Best Japanese Whetstones
Purchasing something without having proper knowledge of that particular product is considered stupidity. There are some important things you always should consider before purchasing anything. Here we will tell you every single point that you should keep in mind while buying your ideal whetstone.
Size
There are different sizes and shapes of whetstones. The size varies from purpose to purpose. If you want to use the stone to sharpen your small pocket knife then you should purchase a smaller one. The smaller stone will give you extra comfort during the sharpening process. Also, one important thing to remember, The bigger stones will cost you more money than the smaller ones.
Grade
There are different types of whetstones with different amounts of grits. The size of the particles of the grits varies from stone to stone. You should purchase the stones according to your necessity. For that, you also have to consider the type of knife you are searching the whetstones for.
Use
It’s an important thing that you should buy a stone that matches your purpose of use. If you want to use it for sharpening your kitchen knife then you need a larger stone. If you need it for your pocket knife then you need a smaller one. Purchasing according to your need will save both your money and effort.
Stability
Many whetstones come with nonslip rubber or silicone bases that prevent the stone from moving and ensures the stone remains stable during the sharpening process. Also, some of the whetstones contain bamboo or plastic stands that keep the stone in balance. In that case plastic stands are more preferable that bamboo stands in terms of stability.
Final Verdict
In this article, we have brought every possible information about Japanese Whetstones To Keep Your Knife Blade Sharp. And we collected the best ones among all other whetstones on the market, judging the positive and negative feedback from the consumers. Japanese whetstones are essential to keep your blade tools sharp, smooth, and functional. There are different whetstones based on size, purpose, and price. We have mentioned all the best whetstones depending or purposes and people’s choice. There are so many options you can find and might get a little bit confused about it. The best way to select the ideal one is to identify your requirements first. once you know what you want, then you can choose any of the products from our list that matches your requirements and expectation. We have also mentioned all the essential topics that you must carry in mind before purchasing whetstones. Comparing the size, budget, and purpose of use we also have put these stones in different categories that we mentioned in the description. All you have to do is to find out what whetstone matches your purpose of use and which one will be suitable for sharpening your knife and other blades. Then get yourself a great whetstone among these products. You will thank us. We promise you.
FAQ
What Is Japanese Water Stone Made Of?
There are two types of water stones. The natural water stones, which are made of natural stones found in Japan and some other areas of the USA. And the other is synthetic or artificial ones that are made of bonded abrasives. Most commonly aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are combined together to make artificial water stones.
How To Keep Them Clean?
Washing the stone with lukewarm water will get it cleaned properly. Don’t wash it often. You can use it 3-4 times in a single wash. For cleaning your stone, firstly drop it in a bowl of warm water and keep it for at least 2 minutes. Then get it out and wipe it up with a dry piece of clothes. Never ever use a soap to clean it.
Are Japanese whetstones better?
Japanese whetstones are softer, compared to the other whetstones. The softness allows the stone to create a sharper edge in a small period of time. There are different brands that produce thousands of whetstones every year, but Japanese whetstones are undoubtedly the best.
How long does a Japanese Whetstone last?
Japanese whetstones are softer than the typical whetstones. So the sharpening process becomes more swift and effortless. Unlike the other whetstone brands, Japanese whetstones provide 2 years of service guarantee. That means you can use these whetstones worry-free for more than 2 years without a single problem.
What is a Nagura stone used for?
Nagura is a comparatively smaller stone that comes with a Japanese whetstone set. The importance of Nagura stone is pretty impressive. The stone creates slurry suspense in the whetstone which makes the sharpening process quicker and effective.
Japanese Whetstone Vs Other Whetstones
Japanese whetstones are a softer and more hard-wearing type of whetstone than other types. They need less water to lubricate the sharpening surface which means that sharpening happens much faster giving you a sharper edge.
Hi, my name is Taras Kulakov and I’m a knife enthusiast. I have been collecting knives for over 30 years and I’ve owned literally thousands of different models over that time. My goal with this site is to share some of what I’ve learned about knives. You can find more info about Taras Kulakov here.
