Sharpening Stones (Whetstones)

If you have blades, you need a whetstone. Japanese high-carbon steel creates an extremely sharp edge, much sharper than stainless steel. The tradeoff, however, is that high-carbon steel can be brittle and prone to corrosion.

High-quality knives and bladed tools require regular maintenance to keep the edge sharp and rust-free. That’s where a Japanese sharpening stone (whetstone) comes in.

It’s recommended to touch-up high-carbon blades on a whetstone once a month, and stainless steel blades can last a few months before it’s required. Honing on a fine-grit stone resharpens the edge and removes surface rust. For very dull or chipped blades, starting with a coarse-grit stone and finishing with a fine-grit stone is best.