Many people would argue that knives are the most important tools we have in our kitchens.
And, indeed, we don’t know if they’re the most important, but they certainly play a key role in almost any food prep.
Knowing its importance, it’s crucial to keep the blades as sharp as possible. In fact, dull knives aren’t just frustrating, but dangerous too.
But, no matter how sharp the blade was when you first bought the knife, it will eventually need sharpening. So, what if you’re lacking the experience?
Don’t worry-here at Knife Verge; we help every level of users, including beginners.
Below, check out the 10 knife sharpeners for beginners and why they’re an awesome way to learn the tricks of the trade!
Table of Contents
Why do I need a Knife Sharpener for Beginners?
There are many advantages to sharpening your blades at home.
You can always play it safe and take it to a professional; however, with a bit of extra time and effort, you can learn this awesome skill yourself.
Although it all depends on personal preference, we believe sharpening stones (whetstones) are an amazing way to start. They have a lot of advantages, including how easy they’re to use and the great results they enable.
And, here’s how you’ll also benefit from doing your sharpening at home:
More Control
When you sharpen your knives on your own, you’ll be able to control the edge’s bevel to suit how you’re using the knife.
That is, you may sharpen your chef’s knife at a 45-degree angle to get a sharp and strong blade for optimal chopping.
Or, you hone the edge to 15 degrees on both sides for a fine slicing blade-this makes it more fragile, but it will make it glide effortlessly through foods.
It’s Easy & Fast
Though you may think otherwise if you’ve never tried it out, sharpening blades isn’t time-consuming or demanding.
With a few tips and knife sharpeners for beginners, you can easily restore your dull blades.
And, when you needn’t take them to the shop and wait for a couple of days to get them back, you can sharpen them fast and resume work ASAP.
You Save Money In The Long Run
If you were to take your knives to a professional every time they need to be sharpened, you will easily spend a lot of money in the long run.
However, by doing it on your own, you’ll save money.
The only investments would be paying for the sharpening tool and maybe on some manual about sharpening for beginners.
And, considering these sharpening tools can last for a lifetime, you’re making an economical choice.
Sharper Means Safer
Working with a sharp knife means predictability because it won’t slip when you pull it or strike it through the food.
So, being able to control the blade’s moves through the food gives you more control over the chopping, slicing, or dicing.
On the other hand, with a dull blade, predictability is low and the movements are impeded while your control diminishes.
Plus, there’s a higher risk of the blade slipping into the hands rather than into the food. And, it’s only a matter of time until you seriously injure yourself!
Which Factors to Consider Before Buying?
When choosing a sharpening stone, it’s essential to consider the most important factors.
This ensures you can easily use the sharpener and that it lasts for a long period of time.
Here are the things you should pay attention to before choosing the best knife sharpener for beginners:
The Grit
When choosing a sharpening whetstone, it’s essential to choose the appropriate grit for your blades.
Namely, different grit levels will address different issues with the blade.
The #1000 grit is great for resolving blade chips and dullness while the upper ones are perfect for maintaining the sharpness and polishing blades.
The good news about whetstones is that they’re usually designed with two grits-one for restoring the sharpness and the other for maintenance.
The Material
As a rule of thumb, a whetstone is either natural or artificial.
The latter is a form of bonded abrasive consisting of ceramic-like silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.
The bonded abrasives are praised for their faster cutting action than the natural ones. They’re usually made as blocks with two sides, one coarser and the other finer.
On the other hand, the natural ones are made of quartz like novaculite.
The Size
Did you know that the size and type of blade you’re going to sharpen determines the stone size you’ll need?
Generally, a 6-inch stone is considered a small one while an 8-inch one is a common, larger option.
The ones larger than this are considered generously sized.
Those smaller than 6 inches, also known as pocket stones, are a great choice for on-the-go sharpening.
For regular sharpening, longer stones do better. Also, the length is more important than the stone’s width.
Longer stones allow you to make longer strokes and sharpen fast. And, this means fewer strokes and easier angle maintenance.
Take into account the size of the most blades in your possession and pick accordingly. And, remember, you can sharpen a smaller knife on a larger stone, but you cannot tackle a large blade on a smaller stone.
The Versatility
When choosing a whetstone, you want it to be useful for most of your blades and even better, for some other tools with blades you may have.
Having duplicate stones or ones that aren’t versatile enough may end up being a waste of your money.
So, always choose something that will keep up with you as your needs and skills increase.
The Ease Of Use
If you’re a beginner, you want a sharpening tool that’s easy to use and it’s not overly demanding.
In our list, we’ve presented 10 models that only need to be soaked in water 5 to 10 minutes before use and be occasionally flattened, nothing else.
This seems like a real bargain considering there are stones that need to be oiled, used with only certain blades, etc.
Thanks to these whetstones, you’ll begin to learn that sharpening can be easy and fun. With the non-demanding stones, you can put all your efforts into learning the trade, rather than worrying about the stone itself.
Price
If you wanted to spend money, you would take your knives to a professional, without doing it yourself.
If you’ve decided to save money and sharpen your blades, choose a quality whetstone without spending a small fortune.
We all have a different budget and luckily, there are whetstones to fit every budget. Although there’s certainly some truth to the ‘you get what you pay for, this doesn’t mean that only the expensive models do their job.
Sometimes, higher-priced models may end up disappointing you.
You can still find stones with a ‘normal’ price and great features. In our review, we presented affordable models that are highly praised by customers!
How to Properly Use My Knife Sharpener?
Learning to use a whetstone is a very worthy skill-it will help you keep your blades in top shapes at all times, without having to spend additional budget on professional services.
Since most of the models we recommended are whetstones, it’s essential to soak them for 5 to 10 minutes in water before use.
Same as other stones, one side is for sharpening, the other for polishing. Always use the correct side for the task you have in mind.
If you only want to refresh a blade that is already pretty sharp, make several strokes on the finer side.
Or, if you want to bring back a dull blade to life, make sure you use the coarser side first. Always secure it onto the holder or even better, place a cloth underneath it so it doesn’t move around.
Face the knife away from you and place the handle end on the surface at the proper blade angle. Put the other hand in the middle of the blade’s flat side, while maintaining the fingers flat and farther from the sharp edge.
Begin to draw the blade down the stone in a wide and circular manner while maintaining the same angle. Do it several times, depending on its dullness level.
How to know if your blade is sharp enough?-Carefully run the thumb perpendicular to the blade’s edge. If you feel the burr, it’s sharp, if not, do several more strokes.
When Should I Clean It and How?
If you’ve noticed your stone is getting clogged and isn’t working as it did in the beginning, you’re probably not cleaning it enough or not adequately.
But, don’t worry, this is resolvable.
If you have an aging stone, you can restore its glory with WD-40 and steel wool to remove excess dirt.
And, remember to flatten it after every 10 uses or so. This is essential to prevent the collection of stubborn metal fillings.
We warmly recommend keeping your whetstone in an optimal shape-do by wiping off metal remains with a paper towel or a damp cloth after use.
You can also rinse it with water to ensure debris is removed and then finish the cleaning with a damp or dry cloth.
The Knife Sharpener for Beginners
1. Culinary Obsession Whetstone 2-Side Sharpener
Highlighted Features
- Beginner-friendly set
- 2 sides
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Premium quality
This 2-sided sharpener comes in a set alongside a handmade bamboo base, a non-slip silicone holder, an angle guide for beginners, as well as video instructions, and a PDF user guide.
This is definitely an amazing set for beginners in sharpening.
The 2-sided whetstone can sharpen any type of blade-including that of kitchen knives, pocket knives, chisels, scissors, axes, swords, and more.
The quality is premium and there’s no need for oiling-the whetstone is made using professional-grade aluminum oxide-the best on the market. Before use, just soak it in water, and it’s ready to sharpen.
It will help you restore the sharpness of your knives with ease. We love that it comes with a 1-year money-back guarantee for worry-free shopping.
2. Grocery Art Whetstone Sharpener
Highlighted Features
- Perfect for beginners
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Good value for money
- Easy to use
Even if you’re a beginner in sharpening your knives, this set will help you do it the right way. It has everything you need: a 2-sided whetstone, a bamboo base, and an angle guide.
The #1000 grit of the sharpener will make any type of blade razor-sharp while the other #6000 grit side is amazing for polishing your blades.
Being so simple to use, it’s perfect for beginners-you needn’t apply any oils; just soak it in water and begin sharpening.
The bamboo base will keep the whetstone in place- put the whetstone on top of it and start working effortlessly. Its base stays firm on the bottom and keeps you safe.
And, the money-back guarantee is also an amazing feature of this product!
3. Cuisine Beats 2-Sided Sharpening Stone
Highlighted Features
- Versatile
- Great set for beginners
- Delivers consistent results
- Made from long-lasting materials
Made using premium quality aluminum oxide and additionally strengthened during the process, this is a whetstone that lasts.
With two different grits, one for sharpening and the other for polishing, it’s great for a variety of knife blades you have at home.
In addition to the whetstone, you’ll also get an angle guide, a flattening stone, a spray bottle, an anti-slip bamboo base, and a silicone pad.
Since it needn’t be oiled, but only sprayed with water, it’s a very easy-to-use and mess-free sharpener.
This sharpener isn’t just beginner-friendly, but it’s also a great product for fast and consistent results.
4. Yimiay Premium Sharpening Set
Highlighted Features
- Great for beginners
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting
- Versatile
In this wonderful sharpening set, you get a high-quality 400/1000 and 3000/8000 whetstone, an elegant and sturdy bamboo base, an angle guider, and a stone for flattening.
The whetstone is made using professional-grade white corundum. It’s resistant to heat and corrosion.
It’s the best whetstone out there for any type of blade.
And, it’s ideal for you if you’re a beginner in sharpening since it’s so easy to use. The angle guide will hold the blade at the right angle and help you finish the process easily and with enjoyment.
And, thanks to the flattening stone, any uneven surfaces are easily fixed.
Before use, soak the stone in water and start the sharpening. Customers who bought it loved it the most for being easy to use, offering good value for money, and its thickness.
5. Whetstone Cutlery Whetstone
Highlighted Features
- Good value for money
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting
This dual-sided whetstone is constructed using durable silicon carbide.
One side is 400-grit and ideal for sharpening while the other 1000-grit side is exceptional for polishing the blades.
Before use, just soak it in water for 5 to 10 minutes or spray it additionally if necessary.
It’s a very versatile sharpener-you can use it with a long list of blades, including knives, hatchets, scissors, gardening tools, and more.
Since it’s very easy to use, it’s the ideal choice for the less experienced in sharpening.
The customers who bought it gave it the most kudos for offering good value for money, its ease of use, and its suitability for beginners.
6. Bright Living Sharpening Set
Highlighted Features
- Suitable for beginners
- Made from durable materials
- Versatile
- Easy to use
Top quality and beginner-friendly, this sharpening set is awesome for beginners. The whetstone is made using long-lasting corundum aluminum oxide.
Moreover, the bamboo base is made non-slippery while the angle guide tool ensures you sharpen at the right angle.
Before use, just soak it in water, 5 to 10 minutes, and it’s ready. Feel free to use it with a long list of blades, including pocket, tactical, kitchen, scissors, swords, etc.
One side, the #1000 grit, is perfect for restoring the sharpness while the #6000 fine grit side is ideal for final polishing. The bamboo base doesn’t just look pretty, but it serves its purpose.
It remains firm on the table and prevents unwanted movement and injuries.
7. Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Set
Highlighted Features
- Awesome packaging
- Great value for money
- Easy to use
- Made to last
This set has everything you need to sharpen optimally no matter your experience level. It comes with a 2-sided whetstone, a nonslip base, a flattening stone, and a sharpening guidebook.
It will help you tackle damaged blades fast and easily with low fatigue and pressure in the wrists. Whether it’s a kitchen knife, a razor, or scissors, this whetstone can help you restore its glory.
One side is the coarser grit for the sharpening and the other finer one helps you polish it easily. Since it requires 5 to 10-minute water soaking, you needn’t spend additional funds on expensive oils.
The non-slip rubber base helps you work safely, without worrying about accidents.
8. Wendom Beginners’ Sharpening Set
Highlighted Features
- Sturdy
- Perfect for beginners
- 4 different grits
- Versatile
This set is ideal for the less experienced in sharpening- it’s easy to use and comes with all-important additional tools.
The double whetstone (1000 vs. 400 and 8000 vs. 3000) can help you sharpen and polish any type of blade. The former helps you sharpen the blade and the latter helps you polish it.
It’s made using professional-grade aluminum oxide and it will last for a long period of time.
Besides the whetstone, you also get a bamboo non-slippery base, an angle guider, protective gloves, and a flatting stone.
We love the company’s care for its customers; there’s a 100% money-back guarantee option in case of dissatisfaction.
9. Lanbaoshi Whetstone with Non-Slip Base
Highlighted Features
- Great for beginners
- Easy to use
- Made from sturdy materials
- Sharpens and polishes various blades
Hand-crafted with premium white corundum and heat-treated for additional strength and longevity, this whetstone is perfect for any type of user.
It features both grits-one is the coarser side that rejuvenates dull or damaged blades and the other, a finer grit, helps polish the blade and sharpen the edges.
We love how easy to use it is you just soak it in water for 5 to 10 minutes and it’s ready to do its magic.
The silicone, non-slippery stone makes sure the stone stays firm in place while working. The two tools come in a nice packing case, making them easy for storage, but also a great gift idea.
10. Chefic 2-in-1 Whetstone
Highlighted Features
- Perfect for beginners
- Sharpens & polishes
- Versatile
- Full-refund option
Thick, solid, and large, this whetstone is constructed using professional quality white corundum and is best for larger blades.
It provides a comfy working surface and it doesn’t corrode and it’s also resistant to heat.
It features two types of grits-one is for sharpening and the other for polishing. It’s quite versatile and can be used for a long list of knives, scissors, working tools, etc.
In addition to the whetstone, you also get a flattening stone, a non-slippery bamboo holder, and an angle guider.
Plus, you can return the product for a full refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied with it.
Customers who bought it loved it the most for offering good value for money, being easy to use, and its durability.
Final Thoughts
Working with an arsenal of dull blades is a recipe for failure. No matter our experience in the kitchen, our blades have to stay in top form, i.e. to be razor-sharp at all times.
Otherwise, using them won’t just destroy the meals we’re prepping, but it’s also dangerous for us. But, many people think it can be quite expensive and time-consuming to take their blades to a professional.
However, even beginners can learn to sharpen their blades using the knife sharpeners for beginners, in this case, our favorites: whetstones.
The models we presented are easy to use, come with extra tools for a perfect job, and last for a long period of time.
If you want to spend less, yet have a quality whetstone, you’ll love our budget pick. For those who want the best possible equipment for beginner sharpening, our best pick is precisely that!
