Best Japanese Sharpening Stones of 2025

Harry Stack Avatar
Harry Stack
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Japanese sharpening stones are highly sought after by professional chefs and home cooks alike for their superior quality and precision. These stones are made from natural materials such as ceramic, diamond, and water stones, and are used to sharpen and hone knives to a razor-sharp edge. They come in a variety of grits, from coarse to fine, allowing for a customized sharpening experience. The traditional Japanese technique of sharpening on a stone involves a delicate and precise process, resulting in a superior edge that lasts longer than other sharpening methods. Japanese sharpening stones are an investment in the longevity and performance of kitchen knives.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Japanese Knife Sharpener with Angle Holder Set Cover #TOP 1
Japanese Knife Sharpener with Angle Holder Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Set Cover #TOP 2
KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
KYOKU Knife Sharpening Stone Kit Cover #TOP 3
KYOKU Knife Sharpening Stone Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Japanese Sharpening Stones

#TOP 1

Japanese Knife Sharpener with Angle Holder Set

KING
Stainless Steel
with angle holder
Japanese Knife Sharpener with Angle Holder Set Cover
Japanese Knife Sharpener 1000/6000 Grit and Knife Angle Holder Set by B&B japan for Stainless Steel Cutlery and Pointed Carver, Best for Long-Lasting Sharpness, "KING" Trade Mark

The Japanese Knife Sharpener with Angle Holder Set by B&B Japan provides a durable and long-lasting sharpening solution for your knives. With a 1000/6000 grit whetstone on both sides, it's easy to sharpen your knives efficiently. The angle holder set ensures high accuracy for perfect blade guidance and comes with two ceramic protective rods with a plastic base for durable use. It's a perfect gift for chefs and cooking lovers on occasions like Christmas, housewarming, or birthdays.

What We Like
Easy to sharpen your knives efficiently
Durable and long-lasting sharpening solution
Angle holder set ensures high accuracy for perfect blade guidance
Comes with a "KING" Trade Mark and Original Instruction Card in English
Perfect gift for chefs and cooking lovers on various occasions

KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Set

KY29
Blue&Red
KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Set Cover
KERYE Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Set - 400/1000 3000/8000 Grit Water Stones, Flattening Stone, Honing Guide, Cut Resistant Gloves

The KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Set includes two Double Sided Japanese Grit Whetstones, a Non-Slip bamboo base, angle guide, leather strops, green polishing compound, black flattening stone, cut resistant gloves, honing guide, and user manual. The premium quality and superior sharpening performance of the whetstones ensure finely polished razor-sharp edges, allowing for easier and safer cutting. The set is safe and easy to use, suitable for both beginners and professionals. The KERYE Whetstone can sharpen any blade, making it perfect for home kitchens and woodworking enthusiasts.

What We Like
Includes a complete bundle of sharpening tools and accessories
Premium Japanese quality for superior sharpening performance
Provides razor sharp results for easier and safer cutting
Safe and easy to use for both beginners and professionals
Suitable for sharpening any blade, making it versatile and practical
#TOP 3

KYOKU Knife Sharpening Stone Kit

Blue & Terracotta
Dual Grit Whetstone
KYOKU Knife Sharpening Stone Kit Cover
KYOKU Sharpening Stone Whetstone Kit, Knife Sharpening Set with 1000 & 6000 Grit Knife Sharpener Stones, Professional Japanese Whetstone Bundle with Nonslip Rubber Mat Rust Remover Flattening Stone

The KYOKU Sharpening Stone Set is a comprehensive kit designed to keep your knives in top shape. It includes two sharpening stones—1000 grit for initial sharpening and 6000 grit for achieving a polished, professional finish. You can easily remove rust from your blades with the rust remover stone, ensuring durability and performance. The flattening stone helps maintain sharpening precision, while the nonslip rubber mat offers stability during use. With ample space for various knife types, this set is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their culinary skills.

What We Like
Complete sharpening kit
Professional-grade results
Effective rust removal
Stable sharpening experience
#TOP 4

KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Kit

ky28
Blue & White
KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Kit Cover
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves

The KERYE Knife Sharpening Stone Kit includes two double-sided Japanese grit whetstones, a non-slip bamboo base, an angle guide, a leather strop, a flattening stone, cut-resistant gloves, and an instruction manual. KERYE sources premium quality materials for its whetstones, providing superior sharpening performance. The kit allows for safe and easy use, with a dedicated bamboo base and non-slip rubbers, cut-resistant gloves, and an angle guide. The whetstone set can sharpen any blade, making it a versatile and durable addition to any kitchen.

What We Like
Includes two double-sided Japanese grit whetstones
Premium quality materials for superior sharpening performance
Safe and easy to use with a dedicated bamboo base and non-slip rubbers, cut-resistant gloves, and an angle guide
#TOP 5

Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener Water Stones

YC10000
White
#10000 grit
Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener Water Stones Cover
Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener Water Stones (#10000 grit)

The Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Japanese Whetstone Knife Sharpener Water Stones, also known as the Yoshihiro Whetstone Knife Sharpener, is a high-quality sharpening tool designed for Japanese sushi chefs. With a width of 2.9 inches, it provides a larger surface area to sharpen your knife more accurately. The height of 0.9 inches ensures that you have enough material for years of use. Made in Japan, this sharpening stone is a reliable and durable choice for keeping your knives in top condition. Additionally, it comes with a Nagura Conditioning Stone to further enhance its sharpening capabilities. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, the Yoshihiro Whetstone Knife Sharpener is a convenient and effective tool to maintain the sharpness of your knives.

What We Like
High-quality
Accurate sharpening
Durable
#TOP 6

MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone

MS-371
White
1000/3000 Grit
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone Cover
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone, Professional Kitchen 1000/3000 Grit Knife Sharpener Stone, Non-Slip Wooden Seat whetstone knife sharpener

The MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone is made of durable white corundum and comes with a double-sided (1000/3000 grit) premium sharpening stone that provides excellent sharpening performance. The sharpening stone is fixed in a non-slip bamboo base to ensure that the stone is fixed in one position while sharpening. This multi-application whetstone can sharpen a wide variety of utensils and knives, and it comes with an unconditional replacement or refund policy for defects.

What We Like
Durable white corundum material
Double-sided (1000/3000 grit) sharpening stone
Non-slip bamboo base for stable sharpening
#TOP 7

Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpener

8541909078
Blue/White
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpener Cover
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide

The Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpener is a durable and long-lasting sharpening stone made of premium quality aluminum oxide and sharpening compounds. The kit comes with a double-sided whetstone knife sharpener, bamboo base, knife sharpening angle guide, instruction manual, and detailed ebook with lots of tips and tricks for every skill level. Safety is ensured with a non-slip bamboo base and rubber base for holding the stone in place while sharpening. The product is user-friendly and can be easily cleaned using water. It can sharpen any blade out there, making it suitable for home/professional chefs or as men's gifts.

What We Like
Premium quality material for superior cutting performance
Comes with a bundle of essential accessories for easy use and maintenance
Ensures safety with a non-slip bamboo base and rubber base for holding the stone in place
User-friendly and easy to clean
Can sharpen any blade out there, making it highly versatile
#TOP 8

MITSUMOTO SAKARI 3-Sided Whetstone

MS-659
White
240/1000/6000 grit
MITSUMOTO SAKARI 3-Sided Whetstone Cover
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stones, Professional Kitchen 240/1000/6000 Coarse and Fine Precision Sharpener Whetstone, New 3-Sided Grit Knife Sharpener with ABS Non-Slip Base

The MITSUMOTO SAKARI Sharpener is a professional-grade Japanese knife sharpening stone designed to meet all your sharpening needs. It features three sides with varying grit levels: 240 for sharpening and restoring edges, 1000 for everyday maintenance, and 6000 for achieving a polished finish. The non-slip ABS base ensures stability during use, allowing you to sharpen your knives with confidence. Additionally, this versatile tool can accommodate a range of cutlery, including chef knives and scissors, making it an excellent addition to any kitchen.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Three grit levels
Stable non-slip base
Versatile for various knives
Easy to clean
#TOP 9

KING Toishi Sharpening Whetstone #800

KING
0300092
KING Toishi Sharpening Whetstone #800 Cover
KING Toishi Sharpening Whetstone #800 Japanese

The KING Toishi Sharpening Whetstone #800 is a high-quality sharpening stone that is perfect for keeping your blades sharp and ready for use. With its compact size of 129x39x26 mm and lightweight design weighing only 259g, it is convenient to carry and store. The #800 grit allows for efficient sharpening, giving your blades a razor-sharp edge. Made with a special abrasive material, the whetstone ensures long-lasting durability. The plastic base provides stability during use. Before use, the whetstone requires submersion in water, making it easy to prepare. With the KING Toishi Whetstone, you can effortlessly maintain the sharpness of your blades, ensuring optimal performance every time.

What We Like
Compact size
Lightweight design
Efficient sharpening

Knife Sharpening Stone Set with Leather Strop and Flattening Stone

MDS00A
Red bule-7cps
7 pcs
Knife Sharpening Stone Set with Leather Strop and Flattening Stone Cover
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide

This complete knife sharpening stone kit includes a dual-sided whetstone with 400/1000 and 3000/8000 grits, a coarse flattening stone, a non-slip bamboo base, a knife sharpening angle guide, a leather strop made of genuine cowhide leather, and a simple instruction manual. The high-quality corundum whetstone and leather strop can sharpen and polish any blade, including kitchen knives, chef knives, steak knives, santoku knives, and more. The set is durable and long-lasting, making it perfect for both professionals and beginners.

What We Like
Includes all necessary sharpening tools and an instruction manual
Dual-sided whetstone with 400/1000 and 3000/8000 grits for sharpening and polishing
Can sharpen and polish any blade, including straight razors
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Japanese whetstones better?

Japanese whetstones are highly regarded for their quality and effectiveness. They are softer compared to other types of whetstones, allowing them to quickly create a sharp cutting edge. This makes them a popular choice among those who value precision and want to achieve excellent sharpening results.

2. What is the longest lasting sharpening stone?

Diamond stones are known for being long lasting and retaining their flatness for a longer period compared to waterstones and benchstones. They are fast sharpening and can be used dry or with water or oil as a lubricant. The hard and aggressive nature of diamond stones allows them to remove slightly more material than similar grit benchstones and waterstones.

3. What is the most aggressive sharpening stone?

Diamond stones are considered the most aggressive sharpening stones. They are known for their fast sharpening capabilities and are produced by bonding microscopic diamond crystals to flat steel plates. The aggressive nature of diamond stones allows for efficient material removal, making them a popular choice for those who need to quickly sharpen their tools.

4. How long to soak Japanese water stones?

It is important not to leave Japanese water stones in water for an extended period. Before use, it is recommended to soak the sharpening stone in water for about five minutes, while coarse stones may require up to ten minutes. When using the stone, ensure it is placed on a non-slip base or firmly wedged between two pieces of wood for stability.

Editor's Notes

During our japanese sharpening stone research, we found 24 japanese sharpening stone products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 141,759 customer reviews through our big data system to write the japanese sharpening stones list. We found that most customers choose japanese sharpening stones with an average price of $33.27.

The japanese sharpening stones are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of japanese sharpening stones, including KING, KERYE, KYOKU, Yoshihiro, MITSUMOTO SAKARI. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 522 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Harry Stack Avatar

Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.