Keeping the edge on your blades calls for a sharpening stone that is reliable and durable. Only the best will do if you want those sharp edges you can count on whether you’re using kitchen utensils or hunting, or even gardening. Since not all sharpening stones are alike, there are fundamental standards of excellence that each company that manufactures them must provide.
Let’s take a look at the best 5 sharpening stones around in the market today.
Best Sharpening Stone
Smith’s TRI-6 Arkansas TRI-HONE Sharpening Stones System
The top spot goes to Smith’s TRI-6 Arkansas TRI-HONE Sharpening Stones System with a rotating triangle block for easy rotation and identification, a premium honing solution that cleans and protects the sharpening surfaces, a non skid base with “V” trough for oil drips, 3 stones make up the complete sharpening system, and a sharpening angle guide to allow for basic correct angle for the first time user.
The system features one coarse synthetic, 400 grit, one medium synthetic 600 grit, and one natural fine Arkansas stone at approximately 1000 to 1200 grit that is mounted on a molded plastic triangle with handles on the end for easy stone identification and rotation. In addition, a bottle of Smith’s premium honing oil and a user guide are included.
One has to hand it to the Smith company. They’ve been around for over 125 years and are more than just a company, they’re a part of the American landscape. Mind you, they’re not just a knife sharpening company but have expanded to other products of equal quality. This is a validation that buying any of their products will be backed by over a century of commercial success. You can’t beat products that have weathered the tests of time.
Overall, this choice is a monster. It does so much and offers so much it would be hard to pass it by. Best to look at this sharpener as an investment because of its versatility and sound construction. Lots of time and effort was put into this sharpener and it’s a sure bet that it took years to perfect. The manufacturer is clearly aware of the benchmarks that customers are looking for.
Professionals will appreciate this sharpener due to its engineering and design. One can imagine the company’s lab where just about anything that could be sharpened got the test. From there they did the field tests and put this final product on the market.
KING KW65 1000/6000 Grit Combination Whetstone
Number 2 on our list is the 2-King Two Sided Sharpening Stone with Base #1000 & #6000 that is actually made in Japan and has a combination grit 1000 and 6000 and has dimensions of 7.25 x 2.5 x 1.0 inches and a plastic stand is included.
Overall, this sharpener is your basic model of high quality. It doesn’t come with lots of bells and whistles, but it comes with what you really need to sharpen your cutting tools. Seeing that it is made in Japan, one knows the Japanese are some ‘cutting fools’.
Their cuisine calls for precise cutting and they marvel at the world with their skills with the knife. Gardening, crafts, landscaping, those folks know the value of a sharp edge, and this product comes to the world showcasing their genius.
So if you want your knives Samurai Sword sharp, you’ll be happy to get this sharpener and perhaps buy multiples for backup and as gifts.
Whetstone Cutlery Two Sided Whetstone Stone
Our third candidate is the Whetstone Cutlery Two Sided Whetstone Stone that is a two sided rectangle stone block with side A (dark green) at 400 grit for rough grinding and side B (light green) with a 1000 grit for fine finishing, smoothing and polishing your blades.
Even the worn material and water form a slurry which is useful with the stone to sharpen and polish your blades. This whetstone works well with water or oil so you’ll not be limited when out in the field or at the shop. It weighs about 10 ounces.
Whetstone has been around since 1998 and is essentially located in Tennessee. Not only do they make sharpeners but also a variety of blades and collectibles. They’ve become so popular that they also have a fandom that is spread across social media.
Their replicas of historical blades and movie and television props have made them even more famous. It’s a company that really takes pride in their products.
Overall, these two-sided whetstone sharpeners take things back to the beginning of knife sharpening. Long ago mankind found out that certain stones afforded the ability to sharpen an edge. This sharpener follows that age-old tradition with today’s technology.
Easy to use and highly effective, this sharpener is one that any expert can appreciate as well as a solid investment in your tools’ long health and usage.
Gatco 8T001 Arkansas Tri-Hone Sharpening System
Fourth on our list is the Gatco 8T001 Arkansas Tri-Hone Sharpening System that is mounted on a natural wood triangle and includes a coarse silicon carbide stone that rehabilitates damaged or dull blades.
Overall, this sharpener is a knife’s lifesaver. It’s due to its ability to rehabilitate even older blades. This option saves you money across the board. Not only that, the nostalgia you’ve got for those old trusty blades will bring a bright smile to your face when these blades are back in action.
People who market collectibles can benefit here as when they find those rare knives of the past in some garage or forgotten toolbox, they can quickly clean and put a good edge on them thus making them more appealing for sale. It is an affordable and durable product and it goes without saying the users just love it.
Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener
Our fifth and final featured sharpener is the Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener that is a multi purpose stone sharpener that is portable and has lots of versatility. It has an easy to grip contoured shape that allows for safe use.
The company boasts that it is perfect for such a wide variety of blades ranging from axes, lawnmowers, machetes, spades, hatchets, and more. It has a dual grit design that the coarse side allows for fast cutting and shaping and the medium side to put that final professional touch on a keen edge. There’s also a limited one year manufacturer’s warranty on this sharpener. For a pocket-sized sharpener, it sure packs a punch.
Overall, this is the bull elephant of this niche of knife sharpeners. The manufacturers put everything in this sharpener except the kitchen sink. They didn’t just employ a system of sharpening, but one of safety and a bit of ergonomics in the handle.
That’s 21st-century thinking and provides a product that definitely sets it apart from other knife sharpeners. Users love this item and boast about its abilities and many feel it is the best sharpener they’ve owned to date. The need for a great sharpener calls for addressing the concerns of the customers and in this case, they’ve been met.
A bit of background on Lansky is in order here. They’ve been around for over 35 years having been founded by Arthur Lansky Levine, then a medical student and future coroner.
He’d been so disappointed at the lack of sharpness of his surgical tools, he took the bull by the horns and invented his own sharpener. He also had the advantage of his medical knowledge and business acumen from his family’s Outdoor Store.
Inspired by a family in the medical and outdoor professions, Arthur actually perfected his legendary ‘controlled angle sharpening system’ which then led to him founding his Arthur Lansky Levine & Associates business from his parents’ basement in 1979. His is a true success story and his line of products is a testament to his ingenuity and brilliance.
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