Whetstones: Choosing the Right Sharpening Stone and Set
What Are Sharpening Stones?
Sharpening stones, or whetstones, are tools used to restore the sharp edge of knives and other edged tools. They are made from a combination of abrasive materials (like diamond, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide), bonding agents, and fillers, which are then solidified to create the stone.
These stones come in three grit ranges:
- Coarse: #180 – #600
- Medium: #800–#2000
- Fine: #3000 and above
Now, let’s explore the most common types of sharpening stones, especially those used in the world of Japanese knives.
Types of Sharpening Stones
Diamond Stones/Plates
Diamond stones are aluminum plates coated with graded diamond abrasives. They are incredibly fast-cutting, ideal for edge and tip repairs, and perfect for flattening other stones. However, they tend to leave deep scratches and don’t provide the best sharpening experience. These plates have a “break-in” period—starting very aggressive but mellowing over time.
Resin-Bonded Diamond Stones
Resin-bonded diamond stones, or diamond resin stones, are made by combining diamond abrasives with a resin bonding agent. These stones are fast-cutting, ideal for sharpening high-wear-resistant steels, and offer a pleasant sharpening feel. However, they are expensive and challenging to flatten when needed.
Vitrified Stones
Vitrified stones are among the most popular options, especially for coarse and medium grit ranges. Made with a vitrified bonding agent and fired at high temperatures, they provide fast cutting speeds and excellent feedback. While great for sharpening hard steel, they wear quickly and require frequent flattening. These stones often need soaking before use.
Resinoid Stones
Resinoid stones are bonded with resin and fired at low temperatures. These medium-to-soft stones are excellent for polishing, particularly in finer grits. They’re splash-and-go stones but can be permanently soaked if needed. Be cautious: improper drying after soaking can cause cracks.
Magnesia Stones
Magnesia stones are bonded with a magnesia-based material that air cures instead of being fired. They are extremely hard, resistant to wear, and offer excellent cutting speed and feedback. These splash-and-go stones should never be soaked, as soaking can degrade the bond. Magnesia stones tend to be more expensive but are worth the investment.
Which Stones Does Kitchen Samurai Offer?
At Kitchen Samurai, we carefully select sharpening stones to suit every need. Most of our stones are vitrified, but we also stock specialized options like resinoid stones (e.g., Superstones, Arashiyama) and magnesia stones (e.g., Naniwa Professional).
Each product description on our website clearly states the type of stone, making it easy for you to find the perfect match. We’ve also curated sharpening sets tailored for specific uses, whether you’re sharpening Western knives, Japanese knives, carbon steel, or stainless steel.
Find Your Perfect Sharpening Stone
Ready to find the right stone for your knives? Explore our sharpening section and discover high-quality options designed to make your knives razor-sharp.