Sharpening Sets

To make your choice simple, we’ve organized our sharpening sets into a clear, three-level system. By combining three skill levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Pro) with three price ranges (Budget, Value, Premium), we’ve created nine complete sharpening sets. This straightforward system helps you find exactly what you need with no confusion or guesswork.

Nine sharpening sets, one perfect match

If you want a complete sharpening setup that grows with your skill and fits every budget, we’ve got you covered.

How the sets are structured

how to choose your sharpening set

Every successful sharpening process, from a simple touch-up to a full edge restoration, requires a few key products working in harmony. Our sets are designed to provide all the tools you need to move through each sharpening stage efficiently, regardless of your skill level.

Beginner level
  • Beginner / Budget: This is your go-to set for keeping Japanese kitchen knives sharp. It's a versatile choice for anyone just starting out, offering the essentials you need without breaking the bank.
  • Beginner / Value: Ideal for owners of Japanese knives with a hardness above 60 HRC. It delivers excellent cutting performance on those hard steels, while also giving you great results on standard Western blades.
  • Beginner / Premium: Designed for enthusiasts with high-end Japanese knives. This set is perfect for achieving a fine, polished edge on hard steels, giving you professional-grade results from day one.
Intermediate level
  • Intermediate / Budget: This all-in-one set is suitable for both Japanese and Western knives. It gives you the tools to quickly repair and sharpen a wide range of steel types, helping you move beyond the basics with confidence.
  • Intermediate / Value: A complete sharpening setup for every knife in your kitchen, from repairing sturdy Western blades to refining and polishing the fine edge of Japanese knives.
  • Intermediate / Premium: This advanced set is for serious enthusiasts who want to unlock the full potential of their high-end Japanese knives with hard steels. It's built for precision and will help you achieve a razor-sharp finish.
Pro level
  • Pro / Budget: A versatile workhorse for professionals. This set provides all the tools you need to sharpen and maintain a large volume of both Japanese and Western knives without overspending.
  • Pro / Value: This is a comprehensive set for professional sharpeners, offering a full range of stones suitable for all types of high-end Japanese and Western blades.
  • Pro / Premium: This ultimate set is meticulously curated for master sharpeners who demand flawless results on the most demanding knives.

Sharpening - FAQ

The answer depends on a few factors, including how often you use your knife and the type of steel. For regular home use, a good rule of thumb is to sharpen your knife every 3-6 months. For professional use, it could be as often as once a week. You'll know it's time when a honing rod no longer restores the edge and the knife starts to feel dull.

This is one of the most common points of confusion. Honing maintains a sharp edge by realigning the microscopic edge that gets bent out of shape during use. This is done with a honing rod. Sharpening creates a new, sharp edge by removing a small amount of steel from the blade. This is done with sharpening stones. Honing should be a regular part of your knife care routine, while sharpening is a less frequent task.

Grit refers to the coarseness of the sharpening stone. The lower the number, the coarser the grit; the higher the number, the finer the grit.

  • Coarse grit (120-600): Used for repairing damaged or chipped edges.
  • Medium grit (800-2000): The workhorse of your sharpening set. This is the grit you'll use most often to restore a dull edge.
  • Fine grit (3000-8000): Used for refining the edge and creating a polished, razor-sharp finish.

For most home cooks, a combination stone with medium and fine grits (around 1000/6000) is a perfect all-in-one solution.

It depends on the type of stone you have. Some stones require a full soak in water before use. They release a slurry that aids in the sharpening process. Splash-and-go stones only require a little bit of water on the surface before you start. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific stones.

Sharpening stones wear down with use, which can lead to an uneven surface. To keep your stones flat and effective, you should regularly use a flattening stone or a diamond plate. This ensures a consistent angle and superior results every time you sharpen.

A honing rod (or steel) is used to realign a knife's edge between sharpening sessions. You use it by making light, controlled strokes along the rod, alternating sides. This simple, regular practice will keep your knife feeling sharp and extend the time between full sharpening sessions.