Japanese Knife Sharpeners: How To Select The Right One + 13 Of Our Recommendations

Whether you're an avid home cook or a professional chef, you know the importance of having a sharp knife in the kitchen. 

A dull blade not only makes prep work more difficult and time-consuming – it can actually pose a threat to safety! 

That's why it's essential to have a reliable knife sharpener on hand to keep your trusted knives in top condition.

When it comes to knife sharpeners, you'll find a variety of options, each with its own set of merits. From whetstones (water stones) favored by professionals, to handheld sharpeners designed for convenience, there's a tool to suit every skill level and preference.

Types Of Japanese Knife Sharpeners And Their Uses

Whetstones, also known as water stones or sharpening stones, are the traditional choice for serious home cooks and professionals. 

These stones require some practice and technique, but they offer unparalleled control and the ability to achieve a razor-sharp edge. Whetstones come in different grit levels, with lower grits for aggressive sharpening and higher grits for refining and polishing the edge.

Diamond knife sharpeners, on the other hand, are ideal for quick touch-ups and edge maintenance. 

These knife sharpeners feature abrasive diamond surfaces that can quickly grind away metal and restore a sharp edge. They're a convenient option for home cooks who want a hassle-free way to keep their knives in good condition without the learning curve of whetstones.

For those seeking a balance between precision and convenience, ceramic knife sharpeners are an excellent choice. These series of knife sharpeners feature ceramic abrasive surfaces that can effectively sharpen and hone knives while being more user-friendly than traditional whetstones.

Ceramic sharpeners offer a middle ground between the ultimate control of whetstones and the ease of use of diamond sharpeners, making them a versatile option for home cooks and professionals alike.

Knife Sharpeners At Japanese Taste

Here at Japanese Taste, we’ve curated a great selection of knife sharpeners from Japan. 

Our customers (and home-cooks & chefs the world over) love Japanese knife sharpeners for their superior performance and attention to detail in the design and manufacturing process.

In the following sections, we’ll give a rundown of many of the Japanese knife sharpeners. While there’s no one tool (or knife sharpener, in this case) that suits all purposes, we’re sure that you’ll find the right knife sharpener for your cooking needs.

King Home Grinding Stone Knife Sharpener #1000 K-45

The King Home Grinding Stone Knife Sharpener #1000 K-45 from Matsunaga Stone is a versatile whetstone suitable for both sharpening and honing. Made from high-quality Japanese abrasive materials, this stone features a medium grit of #1000, making it ideal for restoring a dull edge or maintaining a sharp one. It’s ideal for sharpening plane blades, sickle, chisel, kitchen knives, carver’s knives and much more.

The compact size and non-slip rubber base of this Japanese knife sharpener provide stability and control during use, ensuring a safe and consistent sharpening experience. The cost performance here can’t be beat!

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Wine #5000

For those seeking a razor-sharp edge, the Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Wine #5000 is a top-of-the-line option. 

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stones are color-coded based on their grit level, with finer grits having lighter shades. These Japanese whetstones excel at honing edges swiftly due to their high concentration of abrasive particles. Shapton's proprietary bonding technology allows the abrasives to operate at peak efficiency, resulting in exceptionally long-lasting sharpening stones.

A trademark feature of this popular series is the inclusion of a plastic case that can be utilized as a stone holder or base. The Wine #5000 stone, a fine-grit polishing stone ideal for putting a final edge on household knives, is the inaugural offering from this line. While capable of moderate metal removal, its primary function is polishing. Notably, this stone exhibits greater density compared to most whetstones.

The ceramic construction of this whetstone ensures consistent performance and long-lasting use, making it a worthwhile investment for serious home cooks and professionals alike.

Shapton Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone Melon Sharpening Stone K0710 #8000

If you demand the absolute finest edge on your knives, the Shapton Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone Melon Sharpening Stone K0710 #8000 is second to none. These whetstones boast an exceptionally high concentration of abrasive particles, enabling rapid edge formation and sharpening proficiency – not to mention, remarkable longevity.

Shapton’s Melon #8000 stone represents the pinnacle of the series, serving as an ultra-fine polishing stone that imparts an exquisitely refined polish to the edge. With a super-high grit of #8000, this premium whetstone allows you to achieve a mirror-like polish and an edge that's sharp enough to slice through the most delicate ingredients with ease. Ideal for professional chefs and discerning home cooks, this Shapton standout is a leader in its class.

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Green #2000

The Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Green #2000 is a versatile mid-grit stone that strikes the perfect balance between aggressive sharpening and refined finishing. 

The color-coded Shapton Kuromaku stones differentiate grit levels, with the Green #2000 representing a medium grit. While highly abrasive for efficient edge formation, its unique bonding technology allows the abrasives to perform optimally, providing exceptional longevity.

The versatile Green #2000 stone was originally designed for honing blades to a keen edge while removing scratches and burrs. However, it transcends this purpose, proving capable of handling both sharpening and finishing tasks. From kitchen knives to shears, planes and chisels, this stone adeptly refines a wide array of cutting implements.

King Super Finish Sharpening Stone Finishing Whetstone #6000 S-1

For those seeking a mirror-like finish on their knives, it’s hard to go wrong with the King Super Finish Sharpening Stone Finishing Whetstone #6000 S-1. This ultra-fine grit stone (#6000) is designed specifically for the final polishing and refinement of an already sharp edge, delivering a level of precision and smoothness that's unmatched. 

Great for sharpening plane blades, knives and scissors, this Japanese knife sharpening stone from Matsunaga will elevate your knives to a whole new level of sharpness and performance.

King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 1200

The King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 1200 is a versatile option for both sharpening and honing your knives. 

Hailing from the renowned Matsunaga Stone Co., Ltd., an Osaka-based manufacturer established in 1948 and esteemed for their exceptional Japanese whetstones, the King Deluxe nº 1200 has garnered widespread popularity. This medium-grit 1200 grit whetstone Matsunaga's expertise shines through in this robust yet finely abrasive stone, tailored for frequent use in honing a diverse array of cutting implements to a keen working edge.

It can tackle moderately dull blades and restore a keen edge, while also allowing for precise honing and touch-ups. This Japanese knife sharpener strikes the perfect balance for daily sharpening needs, proving versatile for maintaining the edges of plane blades, sickles, chisels and kitchen knives alike. 

King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 1000

Similar to its counterpart, the King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 1000 offers a slightly coarser grit (#1000) for more aggressive sharpening. 

This stone is ideal for tackling severely dull knives or restoring the edge on heavily used blades. Its medium grit level strikes the perfect balance between material removal and edge refinement, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of everyday sharpening needs.

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Blue #1500

The Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Blue #1500 is a mid-grit stone that excels at both sharpening and honing. 

With a grit level of #1500, this slightly fine, intermediate sharpening stone can quickly restore a dull edge while also allowing for precise refinement and polishing. It’s a popular whetstone for sure, a consistent best-seller over the years – and with good reason!

King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 800

For those seeking a more aggressive sharpening option, the King Deluxe Sharpening Stone Medium Grit nº 800 is an excellent choice. This is a popular medium grit sharpening stone that works well on plane blades, sickles, chisels and kitchen knives – truly a versatile knife sharpener!

This Japanese whetstone stone features a 800 grit and is ideal for everyday sharpening, tackling severely dull or damaged blades, quickly removing material to restore a sharp edge. And in this price range, you’re unlikely to find a better rival!

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Blue Black #320

The Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Blue Black #320 is a coarse grit stone designed for aggressive sharpening and edge repair. 

With a grit level of #320, this ceramic whetstone can quickly remove significant amounts of material, making it ideal for restoring severely damaged or neglected blades. The third-coarsest stone in its series, this one’s handy for repairing a nicked or chipped edge. Despite it having a coarse grit size, it offers the user a comfortable touch, great for sharpening most kitchen knives, horticultural shears … even leisure knives.

Kyocera Diamond Knife Sharpener (Diamond Sharpening Stone) DS20S

For those seeking a quick and convenient way to touch up their knives, the Kyocera Diamond Knife Sharpener (Diamond Sharpening Stone) DS20S is an excellent choice. This compact sharpener features a diamond-coated surface that can quickly grind away metal and restore a sharp edge. 

Your writer here can testify to Its compact size and ease of use, as we’ve got one at home! It’s a darn good stone for home cooks who want a hassle-free way to maintain their knives between more thorough sharpenings. And its compact size means it’s not taking up too much room in our tiny Japanese kitchen!

Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Moss #220

The Shapton Kuromaku Sharpening Stone Ceramic Whetstone Moss #220 is a coarse grit stone designed for aggressive sharpening and edge repair. 

With a grit level of #220, this ceramic whetstone can quickly remove significant amounts of material, making it ideal for restoring severely damaged or neglected blades. Its high abrasiveness helps form a sharp edge in no time. The Moss #220 stone is the second coarse stone from the series, offering softer scratch pattern than the coarser #120 stone, while still handy with rapid steel removal in stainless & powder metals

Shimomura Handheld Diamond and Ceramic Dual Kitchen Knife Sharpener

Looking for convenience and versatility in a Japanese knife sharpener? The Shimomura Handheld Diamond and Ceramic Dual Kitchen Knife Sharpener is an excellent choice. This compact sharpener features both a diamond-coated surface for aggressive sharpening and a ceramic slot for fine-tuning and polishing. 

Its dual functionality and user-friendly design make it perfect for home cooks who want a single tool that can handle all their sharpening needs, from restoring a dull edge to achieving a razor-sharp finish. Underneath you’ll find a non-slip CBR rubber – great grip for kitchen counters and fewer worries about slippage. Plus there’s no soaking in water required beforehand!

Choosing The Right Japanese Knife Sharpener

Having a sharp knife is essential for any home cook or professional chef, making prep work easier and more efficient; and helping to ensure safer and more precise cutting. 

With the wide range of quality knife sharpeners here at Japanese Taste, there's an option for every skill level, preference and budget.

For those seeking the ultimate in sharpening precision and control, Japanese whetstones like the ones featured in this guide offer unparalleled performance. From the ultra-fine Shapton Kuromaku #8000 for a mirror-like edge to the versatile King stones for tackling various sharpening needs, these traditional sharpening stones allow you to achieve razor-sharp edges and extend the life of your knives.

If convenience is a priority, handheld sharpeners like the Kyocera Diamond Knife Sharpener or the Shimomura Dual Sharpener provide a quick and hassle-free way to touch up your blades, making them perfect for busy home cooks.

Regardless of your sharpening needs, investing in a quality knife sharpener is a wise choice for anyone who takes their culinary skills seriously. Not only will it keep your knives performing at their best, but it will also ensure a safer and more enjoyable cooking experience.

Explore our lineup of premium Japanese knife sharpeners – all backed by a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, giving you the best products to level-up your cooking game.