Best Manual Sharpening Stones of 2025

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

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Manual sharpening stones are a popular choice for those who want to sharpen their knives, scissors and other cutting tools without using electric or mechanical devices. These stones are made of different materials, including natural and synthetic options, and come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different blade types. They are a reliable and effective way to keep your tools sharp and in good condition, and can also be a cost-effective alternative to more advanced sharpening methods. With proper use and maintenance, manual sharpening stones can help you achieve a sharp edge on your blades that will last longer.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SHAN ZU Professional Sharpening Stone Set Cover #TOP 1
SHAN ZU Professional Sharpening Stone Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener Cover #TOP 2
SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Blue Spot Tools Diamond Sharpening Whetstone Set Cover #TOP 3
Blue Spot Tools Diamond Sharpening Whetstone Set
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Manual Sharpening Stones

SHAN ZU Professional Sharpening Stone Set

SZ-2017-001
Whetstone
SHAN ZU Professional Sharpening Stone Set Cover
SHAN ZU Sharpening Stone, Whetstone with Angle Guide Non-Slip Bamboo Base grit 1000/6000 Knife Sharpeners, Professional 2-in-1 Wetstone

The SHAN ZU Whetstone is a high-quality sharpening tool, perfect for both novice and professional chefs. Made from durable white corundum, it provides long-lasting performance and is user-friendly, requiring only water for sharpening. With two grits, #1000 for coarse sharpening and #6000 for fine honing, it allows you to achieve a razor-sharp edge on your knives. The included non-slip bamboo base and angle guide ensure safe and effective sharpening, helping you maintain the ideal grinding angle throughout the process.

What We Like
Durable white corundum material
Dual grit for versatile sharpening
Non-slip bamboo base included
Easy to use with water
Suitable for various cutting tools
#TOP 2

SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener

156N
Silver and Black
SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener Cover
SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener with Storage Base, 2 Side Grit Coarse 325 / Extra Fine 1200, Diamond Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Base and Angle Guide (152 x 63mm / 6 x 2.5 Inch)

Features
Sharpen And Hone ALL Hard Material Including High Speed Steel, Carbide, Ceramic & Cubic Boron Nitride. Sharpen Dry. No Messy Oil Or Water Needed
FAST, Durable And Heavy-Duty: Industrial Monocrystalline Diamonds Are Electroplated Onto A Steel Base Of 0.9 Cm Thickness. Up To 5 Times Faster Sharpening Than Oil Stone, Water Stone
Superior Bonus Pack: Includes Storage Box With Non-Slip Rubber Pad That Can Be Used As A Stone Base While Sharpening; With Sharpening Angle Guide Integrated With 4 Universal Angles-14°, 17°, 20°, 25° And Instruction Manual Inside Of Packaging
Super Flat Surface: SHARPAL Exclusive MirrorFlat Technology Guarantees Long-Lasting Even Contact With Knives Or Tools, While Oil Stone And Water Stone Easily Wear Down With Uneven Surface
Dual Grit: Coarse 325 Grit (45 Micron) For Quick Edge Setting; Extra Fine 1200 Grit (12 Micron) For Honing
#TOP 3

Blue Spot Tools Diamond Sharpening Whetstone Set

19275
Blue
Blue Spot Tools Diamond Sharpening Whetstone Set Cover
Blue Spot Tools Diamond Sharpening Whetstone Set, 3-Piece (Extra Fine, Fine, Coarse Grit, 6 x 2-Inch, Blue)

Features
Quick, Easy And Effortless Sharpening With No Oil Lubrication Needed (water Only).
3 Piece Professional Diameter Mind Stone Set, Extremely Durable.
Includes Extra Fine, Fine And Coarse Stones.
#TOP 4

Faithfull FAIDWQUAD Four-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone

FAIDWQUAD
Multi-coloured
50 x 50 x 150mm
Faithfull FAIDWQUAD Four-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone Cover
Faithfull FAIDWQUAD Diamond Sharpening Stone WIth Base. 4 Sides: Extra Coarse to Fine Grade.

The Faithfull Diamond Sharpening Stone is a versatile tool designed to make blade sharpening quick and effortless. With its four-sided design, you can choose the right grit for your needs, from extra coarse to fine, making it suitable for various materials. The surface gripping base ensures stability, allowing you to sharpen with confidence. Whether you're working with steel, HSS, or Tungsten Carbide tools, this sharpening stone provides a reliable solution for maintaining sharp edges.

What We Like
Four-sided for versatile sharpening
Includes stable gripping base
Suitable for various materials
Easy and effortless to use
#TOP 5

BGS Diy 8062 Sharpening Stone K 120/K 240

8062
Colour
Size
BGS Diy 8062 Sharpening Stone K 120/K 240 Cover
BGS Diy 8062 | Sharpening Stone | K 120/K 240

The BGS Diy 8062 Sharpening Stone offers versatility with its dual grain sizes of 120 and 240, allowing you to choose the right level of coarseness for your sharpening needs. Measuring 150 mm in length, 50 mm in width, and 25 mm in height, it is compact enough to fit comfortably in your hand, making it easy to use. Made from durable aluminium oxide, this sharpening stone ensures long-lasting performance. By using both sides, you can achieve a fine edge on your tools or blades, enhancing their efficiency and longevity.

What We Like
Dual grain sizes for versatility
Compact and easy to handle
Durable aluminium oxide material
Enhances tool efficiency

Silverline CB14 Silicon Carbide Sharpening Stone

CB14
Orange
1 - Pack
Silverline CB14 Silicon Carbide Sharpening Stone Cover
Silverline CB14 Silicon Carbide Combination Sharpening Stone Fine / Medium Grade

The Silverline CB14 Sharpening Stone is a versatile tool designed for sharpening all types of knives and tools effectively. Made from silicon carbide, it features a double-sided design with fine and medium grades, allowing you to choose the right level of sharpness. You can use it wet or dry, providing flexibility based on your preference. Ideal for bench-mounted sharpening, this stone offers convenience and precision, ensuring your tools maintain their cutting edge with ease.

What We Like
Double-sided for versatile sharpening
Suitable for all tool types
Can be used wet or dry
Ideal for bench-mounted use
#TOP 7

SHARPAL 121N Dual-Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone

121N
Black
Sturdy Handle
SHARPAL 121N Dual-Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone Cover
SHARPAL 121N Dual-Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone, Tool Sharpener for Sharpening Knife, Garden Shears, Axe and All Blade Edge

The SHARPAL 121N Sharpening Stone is designed for fast and effective sharpening of various blades. With its industrial monocrystalline diamonds electroplated onto a stainless steel base, you can sharpen up to five times quicker than traditional oil or water stones. The dual grit feature offers a coarse 325 grit for quickly restoring dull edges and an extra fine 1200 grit for honing. You can sharpen all hard materials, including high-speed steel and ceramic, without the mess of oil or water, making it a convenient choice for any user.

What We Like
Fast sharpening process
Dual grit for versatility
No mess from oil or water
Comfortable ergonomic grip
#TOP 8

Rolson 24129 5 pc Sharpening Stone Set

24129
Grey
1 - Pack
Rolson 24129 5 pc Sharpening Stone Set Cover
Rolson 24129 5 pc Sharpening Stone Set

Features
150mm X 50mm X 25mm With Combination Fine And Medium Sharpening Surfaces
Triangle Flat And Half Round 150 X 10mm Stone And 75 X 25mm
Used For Sharpening Multiple Items
Perfect For DIYers And Professionals
High Quality Rolson Tools Product
#TOP 9

Stanley 0-16-050 Sharpening System Kit

16-050
Multi-colour
EA US
Stanley 0-16-050 Sharpening System Kit Cover
Stanley 0-16-050 Sharpening System Kit

Features
Angle Setting Gauge With Preset Markings - 25 Deg, 30 Deg Or 35 Deg
Guides The User To Achieve A Precise Sharp Edge That Is Square To The Blade
Comes With: Honing Guide, Oilstone, White Oil
#TOP 10

Amtech E2300 300mm Cigar Sharpening Stone

AM-E2300
12″ (300mm)
Amtech E2300 300mm Cigar Sharpening Stone Cover
Amtech E2300 300mm (12") Cigar Sharpening Stone

Features
120 GRIT: This 300mm (12") Aluminium Oxide Cigar Sharpening Stone Has A Coarse 120 Grit Surface
VERSATILE: It Ideal For Sharpening All Types Of Garden Tools Such As Hand Shears, Bill Hooks, Lawnmower Blades, Etc
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What type of sharpening stone is best?

Levels of 120 to 400 grit are good at sharpening exceptionally dull knives or those that have chips or burrs. For standard blade sharpening, a stone between 700 and 2,000 grit works best. A high grit level of 3,000 or more creates an ultrasmooth edge that leaves little to no serration on the blade.

2. What is the difference between a sharpening stone and a honing stone?

So what's the difference between honing and sharpening? Sharpening removes material from the blade to produce a new, sharp edge, while honing keeps the blade sharp by pushing the edge of the knife back to the center.

3. Do you need to put water on a sharpening stone?

Natural sharpening stones can be used dry or wet, but wet is recommended. Water, water-based honing oil or petroleum- based honing oil keeps the pores of the stone clean, dissipates frictional heat and ensures smooth sharpening action.

Editor's Notes

During our manual sharpening stone research, we found 118 manual sharpening stone products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 93,883 customer reviews through our big data system to write the manual sharpening stones list. We found that most customers choose manual sharpening stones with an average price of £12.21.

The manual sharpening stones are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of manual sharpening stones, including SHAN ZU, SHARPAL, Blue Spot Tools, Faithfull, BGS Do it yourself.

Written by
Jennifer Fraser Avatar

Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.