Knives are some of the most over-used tools that you can find in the kitchen. While they are sharp and effortless to use after taking out of the box, through time, it is inevitable that the blades will turn dull. Should you throw the knives at such point and buy a new one? A better and more economical solution is to sharpen the knife to restore its functionality.
To bring your knife back to life, you need to choose from the best sharpening stones that are available in the market. For a long time now, sharpening stones have proven to be reliable and effective, even if using them will require quite an effort on your end. If you are clueless about what to choose, keep on reading the rest of this guide.
Types of Sharpening Stones
Before anything else, you first need to think about which type is perfect for your needs. With this, we’ll start this post with a quick discussion on three of the most popular types that are available.
Water Stone
As the name implies, this type makes use of water for lubrication. This is a good choice because water is readily-available out of the faucet. This can work excellently in having refined edges. Also, another benefit is that it does not leave any oily residue on the knives that you will sharpen.
Oil Stone
With this type, oil is used as a lubricant. This is the traditional choice for Westerners. While it may work slowly compared to others, it still does a great job in making sure that the outcomes will be perfect. There are three materials that are commonly used for this type of sharpening stone – silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, or Novaculite.
Diamond Stone
This might be the most expensive from the three, but this is also the best when it comes to their sharpening performance. They make use of small diamonds that are attached to a metal on the surface. The hardness of the diamond makes it a material that is hard to rival if we are going to talk about durability.
Essential Factors to Consider
To make it easier for you to arrive at the right decision, below are some of the things that you should take into account:
- Feedbacks: A good starting point would be reading reviews of other people. You can go online and see what others have to say about a specific product. With this, you will have a better idea of how one option is different from all others.
- Ease of Use: Using a sharpening stone requires you to do things manually. Pick one that will allow you to do so in the easiest manner that is possible. One of the most important is to have an even surface, which will make sharpening require lesser effort on your end.
- Safety: Pay attention to the safety features that are incorporated in the sharpening stone. It must have a stable base. The latter will make sure that it will remain steady on the surface and there is lesser likelihood that you will hurt yourself. Some models have a nonslip platform to make sure of its stability.
- Size: This is important because it will have a direct impact on convenience when using the knife sharpener. A larger surface area is better, although you also need to think about the size of the knives that you will be sharpening.
- Versatility: To be versatile, one of the most important is for sharpening stone to have two-sided grit. One side should be coarse and the other side should be fine. This will make it easier for you to sharpen different types of knives and be assured of the best outcomes.
- Maintenance: Choose a sharpening stone that requires minimal effort and maintenance. This means that without having to do a lot, you can be confident that it will remain functional even through the years. Pay attention to the instructions from the manufacturer to properly clean the sharpening stone.
- Construction: Aside from being made from excellent materials, it should also be durable, which will allow it to withstand the test of time. It must be able to resist external damages, such as chipping and corrosion, among other problems. If it lasts longer, it will be able to provide the best value for your money.
- Price: It is undeniable that a lot of us are budget-conscious. Yes, there is nothing wrong about thinking about the price, but this should not be taken as an excuse to pick one product only because it is the cheapest. At the end of the day, quality should be the more important consideration.
Cleaning and Maintenance of Sharpening Stones
To make sure that your sharpening stone will demonstrate extended functional life, the following are some of the things that you have to do:
- If clogging is a problem with your sharpening stone, brake cleaners are excellent because of their ability to naturally degrease the surface. An automatic transmission fluid is also a promising solution for cleaning, especially for diamond stones. Mineral oil, which can be diluted, will also be an excellent choice for cleaning sharpening stones.
- Do not scrub the sharpening stone using bare hands. Always use protective gloves. The edges can be too rough, and hence, you might end up being injured.
- You also have to pay attention to proper storage. Make sure that the sharpening stone is completely dry before keeping it. Wrap it or keep it in a box, which will make it less prone to external elements that could negatively impact its quality.
The short video below will show you more about cleaning a sharpening stone:
Top Picks for the Best Sharpening Stones
If you are having a hard time deciding which one will make the best choice, this section will provide you with a quick look at some of the best products that are currently available in the market.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:07 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- King 01096 1000/6000 Grit Deluxe Combination Stone
- King brand known for quality and affordability
- Includes sturdy plastic base
- 8" x 2 1/2" x 1" thick
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 12:38 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- ✅ SUPERIOR BUNDLE : Your complete knife sharpening kit comes with double sided (#1000/ #6000) premium quality whetstone, bamboo base for holding the stone, knife sharpening angle guide, a simple instruction manual & detailed eBOOK with lots of TIPS & TRICKS which will appeal at every skill level.
- ✅ MULTIPURPOSE USE : Our professional grade knife sharpener stone is highly durable & long lasting. This global whetstone sharpener can sharp ANY BLADE out there, be it any kitchen knife set, chef knife, steak knife, sontoku knife, paring knife, sushi knife, cleaver knife, henckels knives, wusthof knives, victorinox knife, kitchen knives, japanese knife, butcher knife, paring knife, BBQ knife, Hunting Knife, Pocket Knife, Scissor, Chisel, Blade, Straight Razor & it can even sharp a axe!
- ✅ SAFETY : We understand the importance of safety when dealing with sharpening tools, your purchase comes with Silicone base for holding the stone inside Non Slip Bamboo base, this setup will ensure the stone is FIXED IN ONE PLACE while sharpening. And knife sharpening angle guide allows you to maintain CORRECT ANGLE and safely apply consistent pressure while sharpening the blade.
- ✅ EASY TO USE : Our sharpening waterstone kit is extremely USER FRIENDLY & easy to assemble. Knife sharpener stone uses WATER for sharpening , so no need of expensive sharpening/honing oils and NO MESS while sharpening & it can be easily cleaned using water.
- ✅ PREMIUM QUALITY : Not all sharpening stone are created equal. We only import & source premium quality material for manufacturing of Sharp Pebble Whetstone which will provide superior cutting performance. NO COMPROMISE on quality! Don’t be fooled by cheap knockoff’s. Get this simple-yet-unparalled award winning tool is used by everyone from stay at home moms to various professionals or buy this as a PERFECT GIFT for your family & friends.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:07 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Bora 6-inch aluminum oxide sharpening stone is a 2 sided stone: one coarse grit and one fine grit
- Measures 6" x 2" X 1", ideal size for bench work
- Coarse 150 grit side and fine 240 grit side
- Intended for sharpening all types of tools and knives.
- Use water or oil as a lubricant
- 1 year warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:07 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- HIGH-QUALITY DOUBLE-SIDED KNIFE SHARPENING STONE: Coarse side 3000 grit can make edge very sharp, and edge reflects light well; Fine side 8000 grit is ideal for finishing and polishing the edge, and perfect for light touch-ups to an already sharp. Edge is very near perfect.
- HIGH-GRADE WHETSTONE ENSURE EFFECTIVE SHARPENING RESULTS: BearMoo sharpening stone is made from professional grade white corundum, corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, edges and corners are clearly demarcated.
- 3000/8000 GRINDSTONE IS SUITABLE FOR MOST GRINDING OPERATIONS, such as kitchen knives, kitchen shears, pocket knife, Shun chef knife, porting knives, cutting class knife grinding, precision tool, garden tools and art appliance, but EXCEPT serrated blades and ceramic knife etc.
- THE SAFETY SHARPENING WITH NON-SLIP SILLICONE BASE: The non-slip silicone base holds the sharpening stone securely in place, so you never have to worry about the whetstone slipping off the counter.
- 100% SATISFACTION SERVICE NO RISK - We're sure you're going to love this whetstone, try it out today without risk. If you're not satisfied with the sharpening stone for whatever reason, just contact us within 30 days for a hassle-free full refund, no questions asked.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:07 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- DESIGN - 600/1000 Grit Double Sided Sharpening Stone. L 7"x W 2.4"X H 1.06. The fine surface prevents the cutting edge from damage when sharpening. And the sharpening will be much efficient. Slip-resistant rubber bottom mean your sharpener is easy to handle and stays in place during use. Sharpens standard and serrated edge knives
- EASY TO USE -. Abrasive Material is Carbon Steel. Grade: Coarse/Fine being one side 600 grit, the other 1000 grit. Perfect for do-it-yourself projects
- SAFE HANDLING - High-grade corundum ensure effective sharpening results. Utopia Kitchen Double-Sided Knife Sharpening Stone is for all types of knives, including kitchen, household, sporting and pocket knives. Fast and easy to use. Equipped with silica gel non-slip base
- CAUTION - Use the whole surface of stone to keep the consistency when sharpening knives. Protect the stone well and avoid it falling from the height. Sharpening result would be much better using with sharpening oil. Please put the knife sharpener and knife beyond the reach of children
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:07 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
You do not have to throw your knives whenever the blades get dull! A more practical solution is to invest in the best sharpening stones. While you have to use them manually, they will be effective in making sure that the blades of your knives will not suffer from dullness. They can be beneficial in more ways than one, such as when it comes to versatility and safety.
From the products discussed above, if there is one that I can personally recommend, it would be Sharp Pebble.
