How to Choose the Right Whetstone Grit

A sharp knife makes every kitchen task easier, from slicing tomatoes to carving a Sunday roast. But even the best knife will lose its edge over time. That's where a whetstone comes in.

If you've started looking for a sharpening stone, you've probably noticed numbers like 400, 1000 or 6000 grit. Knowing what these numbers mean is the key to choosing the right whetstone and keeping your knives performing at their best.

What Does Whetstone Grit Mean?

Grit refers to how coarse or fine the sharpening stone is. Lower grit numbers remove more metal to repair damaged or very dull blades, while higher grit numbers refine and polish the edge for a smoother finish.

Choosing the right grit depends on the condition of your knife and the result you want to achieve.

Coarse Grit (200–600)

Coarse whetstones are designed for repairing chipped edges, reshaping damaged blades or restoring knives that have become extremely dull.

If your kitchen knife struggles to cut through vegetables or slips instead of slicing cleanly, starting with a coarse grit stone can help bring the edge back.

Premium options from Norton, DMT and Spyderco bench stones are ideal for restoring worn blades before moving to a finer grit.

Medium Grit (800–1200)

For most home cooks, a 1000-grit whetstone is the best place to start. It's ideal for regular maintenance and sharpening knives that have become dull through everyday use.

Popular brands such as Kanetsune, Top Shelf and Shikisai offer quality whetstones that produce a sharp, reliable edge without removing unnecessary material.

If you only own one whetstone, a 1000-grit stone is the most versatile choice for keeping kitchen knives in great condition.

Fine Grit (3000–8000)

Once your knife is sharp, a fine-grit stone refines and polishes the edge for smoother, more precise cutting.

If you enjoy preparing delicate ingredients like herbs, fish or vegetables, a polishing stone from Pride Abrasive, Ardennes-Coticule or Wicked Edge can help your knife glide effortlessly through food while leaving a beautifully finished edge.

Which Whetstone Should You Choose?

The best whetstone depends on how often you sharpen your knives.

• New to sharpening? A 1000-grit whetstone is the best all-round choice for everyday maintenance.
• Repairing damaged knives? Start with a coarse stone before moving to a finer grit.
• Want a razor-sharp finish? Finish with a 3000–8000 grit polishing stone for outstanding cutting performance.

If you regularly sharpen several knives, building a small collection of coarse, medium and fine whetstones gives you the flexibility to handle almost any sharpening job.

Complete Your Knife Care Kit

A quality whetstone is only part of a complete knife care routine. Pair it with a honing steel to help maintain the edge between sharpenings, and store your knives safely in a knife block, magnetic knife rack or blade guard to protect the edge you've worked hard to create.

Keeping your knives clean, dry and properly stored will also help them stay sharper for longer.

Which Whetstone Will You Choose?

Whether you're maintaining your favourite chef's knife or restoring an older blade, choosing the right whetstone grit makes all the difference. From versatile 1000-grit sharpening stones to premium polishing stones from Kanetsune, Norton, DMT, Spyderco, Pride Abrasive, Wicked Edge, Shikisai, Top Shelf and Ardennes-Coticule, there's a sharpening solution for every home cook.

Explore the full range of whetstones and knife sharpening tools and keep every knife performing at its best.