Testing the Best Sharpening Stones for Knives and Tools

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Bring a fine edge to that set of dull blades with one of these top sharpening stones.

Having a set of dull kitchen knives isn’t just inconvenient; it can also be very dangerous. A good sharpening stone keeps blades razor-sharp, which makes them safer to use. These invaluable workshop and kitchen tools can sharpen the cutting edges of knives, scissors, planes, chisels, and other edged tools.

For those who have a set of dull knives that require a good sharpening, keep in mind that all sharpeners are not created equal. That’s why we opted to test some of the most popular models on the market to suit a variety of blade types and budgets. Read on to learn more about these products and find out why those listed below proved to be among the best sharpening stone options on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Norton Waterstone Whetstone Sharpening Starter Kit
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Amazon Basics Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
3. BEST DIAMOND: DMT 6-Inch Diamond Whetstones With Bamboo Box
4. BEST KIT: Kerye Premium Knife Sharpening Stone Kit
5. BEST JAPANESE: Shapton Shaptonstone Traditional Waterstones
6. BEST CERAMIC: Shapton Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone Set
7. BEST NATURAL: Masuta Natural Sharpening Honing Stone
8. BEST FOR KITCHEN KNIVES: Norton IM313 Multi-Oilstone Sharpening System
9. BEST FOR POCKET KNIVES: Smith’s Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

How We Tested the Best Sharpening Stones

To make the most informed product choices, we started out with 2 days of research. We wanted to learn more about the origins and properties of the natural and synthetic abrasives used for the best sharpening stones as well as the types of whetstones that knife and tool experts recommend for different applications.

Since each choice of whetstone claims highly respected proponents, our selections included aluminum-oxide, silicon-carbide, diamond, ceramic, and natural stone whetstones, both waterstones and oilstones. The different types overlap considerably in what they can do, so the ultimate choice comes down to user preference. Most importantly, we wanted to include a wide range of grits, from about 120 to 12,000, from very coarse stones for renewing damaged blades to very fine stones that polish a blade to a mirror finish, and everything in between.

After vetting more than 50 different products from dozens of manufacturers, we settled on those in this guide. These stones best illustrate the range of high-quality sharpening stones and accessories that may be used to keep an edge on kitchen knives, pocket knives, chisels, and other sharp tools.

We then spent 3 days testing the sharpening stones on dull kitchen knives, pocket knives, and chisels on our own workbench. We started with dull tools and worked through the progression of grits, from coarse to fine, sharpening one large kitchen knife, one small or medium pocket knife, and one chisel with each kit. We used water as the lubricant unless otherwise directed in the manufacturer’s instructions.

During testing, we noted the grit and surface area of the stones and any other features included in the kit, such as a carry case, blade angle guide, or flattening stone. We also recorded the time required to sharpen the tools.

Three sharpness tests determined when sharpening was complete: a light test, a fingernail test, and a paper test. For a quick visual sharpness determination, we examined the blades under a light. Holding the knife straight in front of us with its edge facing upward, we slowly tilted it to the right and left. Parts of the edge that reflected light were dull, but if the edge did not reflect light, it was sharp. Once a blade passed the light test, we gently tapped the edge against a thumbnail. A sharp knife catches on the nail but a dull knife slides without catching. Finally, once a blade passed the fingernail test, we held a sheet of printer paper with one hand and drew the blade down through the paper with the other hand. To pass the paper test, a blade had to glide through the paper cleanly with only minimal force. When a blade passed all three tests, we considered it “sharp” and moved on to the next tool.

The best sharpening stone sets featured quality stones with a large surface area, a progression of grits from coarse to fine or extra fine, and a convenient packaging system for storage. We also considered cost with respect to the durability of the material and expected working life of the stone.

Our Top Picks

The whetstones described and reviewed here are made of quality materials and will transform a dull edge into a razor-sharp blade without damaging the knife. Our top picks include products from some of the most reputable manufacturers of sharpening stones. Keep reading to learn how they performed in our benchtop sharpening tests and why we count them among the best sharpening stones around.

Best Overall

Norton Waterstone Whetstone Sharpening Starter Kit

Removing dings and getting a severely dulled knife back into top condition takes surprisingly little equipment. The Norton waterstone starter set’s two dual-surface sharpening stones feature four grit levels. It starts with a 220/1,000-grit aluminum-oxide stone that can grind out the imperfections and reprofile a severely dulled blade on the extra-coarse side, then set a nice edge on the medium-grit surface. After a few passes on each side of the 4,000/8,000 stone, that old blade will be sharper than new. Both stones are packed in rigid plastic storage cases that double as nonskid sharpening bases. The kit also includes a 3-inch by 9-inch silicon carbide flattening stone that is used to maintain the sharpening stone surfaces.

We truly appreciated the simplicity of this set. It appears fairly spartan, with just two sharpening stones in their own cases and no carry case to hold the whole kit, but the combined grit selection is ideal for maintaining working blades of all kinds. Some users may want to add a less aggressive grit between 220 and 1,000 for blades that are dull but not damaged, but we found that a few light strokes on 220 worked well even for moderately dull blades.

The Norton waterstones effectively returned our pocket knife, chef’s knife, and woodworking chisel blades to safe and competent sharpness levels. The soft aluminum-oxide material formed a nice slurry for quick sharpening, so it did wear somewhat quickly. The included lapping (aka flattening) stone was a big help. Overall, we deem these to be quality synthetic whetstones in a no-frills package.

Product Specs 

• Type: Aluminum-oxide waterstones, silicon-carbide flattening stone
• Grit: 220/1,000; and 4,000/8,000
• Surface dimensions: 8 inches long by 3 inches wide

Pros

• Starter kit contains 2 combination-grit waterstones and a flattening stone
• Aluminum-oxide synthetic stones offer a highly consistent sharpening surface
• Flattening stone maintains a perfectly flat surface on the sharpening stones
• Each stone comes in its own heavy-duty plastic storage case that doubles as a nonskid sharpening base

Cons

• Each stone is packed individually with no carry case for the whole kit

Get the Norton Waterstone sharpening stone kit at Amazon, Sharpening Supplies, or Best Sharpening Stones.

Best Bang for the Buck

Amazon Basics Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone

Sometimes all shoppers need is one good sharpening stone. This dual-surface aluminum-oxide waterstone from Amazon Basics is a solid choice for maintaining a sharp working edge. It offers 1,000/6,000-grit surfaces for edge maintenance. The kit includes a bamboo nonskid base and an easy-to-use angle guide.

In testing, the Amazon Basics sharpening stone gave us excellent results on our kitchen knife—which was in a used but semi-sharp condition to begin with. The angle guide helped maintain a consistent edge. However, it was much slower going with our dull pocket knife, which really should have started out on a coarse stone. But with much patience and lots of strokes on the 1,000 grit (medium) followed by a few on the 6,000, we ultimately put a nice edge on that blade as well.

This kit did not come with a storage case, so users may want to keep the small shipping box to keep it in. Blades that are severely dull or damaged will require a coarse grit stone to reset the edge prior to using this stone. A flattening stone (not included) will eventually be needed for surface maintenance when the stone becomes worn with use. This is an affordable option for those just starting out with sharpening. The medium- and fine-grit options are effective and forgiving in that they sharpen slowly and won’t ruin a blade with one or two poorly placed strokes.

Product Specs 

• Type: Aluminum-oxide waterstone
• Grit: 1,000/6,000
• Surface dimensions: 7 inches long by 2⅜ inches wide

Pros

• This kit boasts a very budget-friendly price point for a quality sharpening stone set
• A dual-grit waterstone, nonskid base, and blade angle guide are included
• With consistent use, this is an excellent choice for maintaining a sharp edge
• Blade angle guide reduces the learning curve to help novices develop technique

Cons

• A 1,000/6,000-grit sharpening stone is less efficient for resharpening dull blades
• Storage case is not included to protect the stone when not in use

Get the Amazon Basics sharpening stone at Amazon.

Best Diamond

DMT 6-Inch Diamond Whetstones With Bamboo Box

Diamond sharpening stones are valued for fast, efficient edge maintenance. They work with water, water-based honing oil, or can be used dry; they are considered essential equipment for sharpening hard materials like ceramic knife blades or cobalt-alloy drill bits. The DMT diamond whetstone kit includes three 6-inch by 2-inch diamond bench stones with coarse, fine, and extra-fine grit surfaces. The set is packed in a convenient bamboo storage case.

The DMT diamond stones did a nice job on all of our blades, but unfortunately they did not come with a nonskid sharpening base. We used a scrap of cabinet shelf liner to secure the stones on the benchtop for sharpening. While we were impressed with the quick results on our kitchen and pocket knives, the fast sharpening pace was especially noticeable on the chisel blade. It only required a few strokes on each stone to true up the back and sharpen the bevel edge—a total time of less than 3 minutes.

The material quality of the diamond surface was excellent. Unlike cheap polycrystalline diamond surfaces we’ve tried out in the past, the monocrystalline surfaces here remained consistent after use. We were initially concerned that the plastic block substrates might flex or allow the diamond mesh to warp, but the surfaces proved to be strong and extremely stable.

Our experience was mostly positive with this kit, but the small surface area was restrictive in a couple of ways. We could not use an efficient sweeping motion to sharpen the large kitchen knife, and the surface was too small to work with our chisel sharpening jig, so we had to carefully freehand it. Still, the price was reasonable for high-quality diamond sharpeners, and the kit delivered fast, effective results.

Product Specs 

• Type: Micronized monocrystalline diamond bench stones
• Grit: (extra fine) 9 microns/1,200 mesh; (fine) 25 microns/600 mesh; (coarse) 45 microns/325 mesh
• Surface dimensions: 6 inches long by 2 inches wide

Pros

• Kit includes lightweight bench stones in 3 different grits
• Diamond sharpening stones work faster than other stone types
• This is a low-maintenance system that can be used dry or with water; no stone flattening required
• Convenient storage case organizes and protects the stones in storage

Cons

• Nonskid stone base or pad needed to hold the stones while sharpening is not included
• Stones are color coded but not labeled extra fine, fine, and coarse

Get the DMT sharpening stone at Amazon, The Home Depot, or DMT.

Best Kit

Kerye Premium Knife Sharpening Stone Kit

With multiple grit levels and accessories that make the process of blade sharpening more manageable, this kit from Kerye is a worthy tool for sharpening any collection of knives. It features two double-sided whetstones with four grit levels, including 400 and 1,000 for sharpening dull knives and 3,000 and 8,000 for refining cutlery.

The kit comes with a knife guide that helps users hold the right angle for sharpening and a handy leather strop to polish the edge while removing burrs after sharpening. A bamboo holder that serves as an attractive, stable base is included, as is a flattening stone to help keep the whetstones in shape. There is even a pair of cut-resistant gloves for added safety during sharpening.

Our tests found the Kerye sharpening kit to offer the most efficient combination of grits for all-around sharpening needs. We used all four surfaces on each blade and progressed faster than all the competitors in our lineup, except for the diamond stones we tested. The included leather strop finished each blade to a shiny, shaving-sharp edge. After sharpening, it took a little water and a few minutes with the flattening stone to renew the stone surfaces.

Wearing protective gloves while sharpening makes sense, but the pair in this kit was too small for our use—it’s possibly an adult medium, but the size is not indicated. The kit comes in a sturdy cardboard storage case with a magnetic flap closure. It holds everything, looks good, and appears to be fairly durable. This simple kit includes everything necessary to renew or maintain any knife or tool blade.

Product Specs

• Type: Manufactured waterstone (material not specified)
• Grit: 400/1,000; 3,000/8,000
• Surface dimensions: 7 inches long by 2⅜ inch wide

Pros

• There are 2 dual-grit waterstones for truing up neglected blades and fine-tuning sharp edges
• Kit includes cut-resistant gloves, leather strop, flattening stone, and nonskid base
• Budget-friendly price makes the all-in-one quality knife and tool sharpening kit even more impressive

Cons

• Kit does not include oil or stropping compound for the included leather strop
• The included cut-resistant gloves may not fit all hand sizes

Get the Kerye sharpening stone at Amazon.

Best Japanese

Shapton Shaptonstone Traditional Waterstones

Shapton’s traditional Japanese ceramic waterstones hone blades into terrific shape, regardless of the condition in which they start. This hard sharpening stone provides a coarse 120 grit. Each stone offers a large surface area of 8¼ inches long by 2¾ inches wide and comes in a plastic storage box that doubles as a stable sharpening base. User note: Be sure to presoak the stone for 5 minutes before the first use.

The ceramic grit used to make these Shapton sharpening stones is nearly as hard as diamond, so we anticipated that this stone would be aggressive. We soaked it for 5 minutes in cold water and then used medium pressure to remove blade nicks and reset edge bevels. After 12 to 20 strokes per blade, we were ready to move onto a finer grit, sold separately (see the Shapton stone set in our next product entry).

We appreciated this stone’s fast results, larger size, and convenient packaging. The large surface area made it easy to use long strokes with the kitchen knife, and it worked well with our chisel sharpening jig. The heavy-duty plastic box includes holes in the base to let the stone breathe (although it should always be allowed to dry thoroughly before storing), and it elevated the surface to a comfortable height for sharpening our pocket knife. We anticipate the hard binder and grit material will give the stone double the working life of a typical aluminum-oxide stone in a comparable grit.

Product Specs

• Type: Ceramic waterstone
• Grit: 120
• Surface dimensions: 8¼ inches long by 2¾ inches wide

Pros

• Coarse grit can repair chipped edges and reprofile severely dull blades
• Ceramic whetstone is harder and longer lasting than aluminum-oxide or natural stone
• Packaged in a durable plastic case that doubles as a nonskid sharpening base

Cons

• A blade angle guide is not included, so proper sharpening technique is required
• Coarse grit is only suitable for rough sharpening, not fine-tuning the blade

Get the Shapton Shaptonstone sharpening stone at Amazon, Woodcraft, or Hocho Knife.

Best Ceramic

Shapton Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone Set

Shapton Kuromaku ceramic whetstones quickly bring dull blades back to razor-sharp working condition. After a quick cold-water soak before the first use, these color-coded sharpening stones work with just a splash of water. The hard surfaces work faster and last longer than soft aluminum-oxide stones. This kit includes 320- (blue); 1,000- (orange); and 5,000-grit (pink) whetstones to sharpen and polish dull knives and tools. Each stone is packed in a heavy-duty plastic storage case that doubles as a nonskid sharpening base.

We tested this Amazon-exclusive Shapton Kuromaku bundle as a follow-up to our previous test of the 120-grit (white) stone from the same series. Moving from the blue to the orange to pink stones, with just 8 to 12 strokes on each side of the blade per stone, we saw excellent results in less than 10 minutes. The large surfaces were easy to work with, and the hard material required less downward pressure to work effectively than other sharpening stone types.

These ceramic stones cost nearly twice as much as the more budget-friendly aluminum-oxide stones, but they offer a more comfortable and faster sharpening process due to the larger size and hardness of the surfaces. We liked the color-coded stones and boxes too because they made it easier to find the right stone without opening the box. The stones do not come in a single storage case, but the individual cases nest together for easy storage. Eventually, a flattening stone will be necessary to reshape the surfaces of these stones, which will be an additional cost. In our view, this set would make a good long-term investment with consistently satisfying results.

Product Specs 

• Type: Ceramic waterstone
• Grit: 320; 1,000; 5,000
• Surface dimensions: 8¼ inches long by 2¾ inches wide

Pros

• The 3 ceramic whetstones are color coded to indicate grit: blue (320), orange (1,000), pink (5,000)
• Each stone is packed in its own plastic storage case that doubles as a nonskid sharpening base
• Hard ceramic whetstones sharpen faster and outlast natural stone and aluminu