Best Diamond Stone Knife Sharpener
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A diamond stone knife sharpener is the tool you need to keep all your knives sharp and ready to go. Keep scrolling to find our favorites.
You probably know that sharp knives are safer than dull ones, and of course, they’re a lot nicer to use. With a great diamond sharpening stone, you can keep your favorite knives slicing and dicing effortlessly, whether you’re prepping tons of veggies, filleting fish, or slicing fresh peaches for your favorite cobbler or pie recipe.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks:
Key Considerations:
Diamond sharpening stones work quickly, often with no need for lubricant. You’ll generally pay a little more for these stones than you will for most other types, but you’ll find that they tend to last quite a bit longer.
- Grit Coarseness – Like other knife sharpeners, diamond sharpening stones are available in coarse, medium, and fine grits. It’s worth noting that coarse grits can leave deep gouges behind; if you’re fairly inexperienced with knife sharpening, you may want to take a little extra time and work with finer grits. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before getting started so you don’t inadvertently damage your favorite kitchen knives.
- Quality – All diamonds are hard, but that doesn’t mean that all diamond sharpening stones are created the same! Some manufacturers have a great reputation for producing quality products that will give you the best results with the least effort, and at a fair price. The best diamond sharpening stones are made with blocks of steel or aluminum that have been formed around diamond chips. The second-best are made with diamond-studded steel plates glued to aluminum blocks, while the third type features plastic or metal foils studded with diamond chips, attached to a firm backing block.
- Price – While the best diamond sharpening stones tend to come at prices well over $40, you can find cheap diamond sharpening stones for less than $20. In this case, the old saying that “You get what you pay for” holds true: Cheap versions tend to deliver sub-par performances and they don’t usually last long. There are a few exceptions to this rule – for example, we really like the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener, which is smaller than standard, but offers tons of features in a tidy, self-contained package.
With quality, coarseness, and of course your budget in mind, we hope that you’ll find it easier to select the best diamond sharpening stone for your knives. Here are our top five picks.
DMT W6EFC Three 6-Inch Diamond Whetstones in Hardwood Box
The DMT W6EFC diamond sharpening stone set includes a trio of whetstones in coarse, fine, and extra-fine. Designed with monocrystalline diamond surfaces, these sharpening stones transform even the dullest knives, delivering razor sharp edges quickly and easily. A hardwood storage box adds convenience. DMT offers a robust customer satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Works on straight and convex edges alike
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Feels rough during break-in period
- Box is suitable for dry use only
This Diamond Sharpening Stone Set is Ideal For:
Cooks who enjoy using a variety of kitchen knives including fillet knives, chef’s knives, cleavers, and other popular blades will find this set does quick, precise work.
If you prefer to use a little bit of water during sharpening, we recommend choosing a different set since the box is prone to damage if moistened. This caveat aside, most users enjoy these diamond sharpening stones for maintaining knives and tools of all kinds.
DMT WM8FC-WB 8-Inch DuoSharp Plus Diamond Sharpening Stones
The DMT DuoSharp Plus Bench Diamond Sharpening Stone Set features a sharpener with coarse grit on one side and fine grit on the other. A sturdy plastic base adds stability and convenience, as well as water-resistant performance. A manufacturer’s guarantee is included.
Pros
- Works for kitchen and outdoor knives as well as woodworking and garden tools
- Replacement stones are available separately, as well as bench-compatible stones in different grits
Cons
- Coarse side wears out faster than fine side
- Need a separate extra-fine sharpener to build razor-sharp edges
This Diamond Sharpening Stone is Ideal For:
If you need to sharpen a variety of knives and you’ve already got a good honing rod or extra-fine sharpener, then you’re probably going to like this sharpening stone for its ability to make old, dull knives sharp again. Most users are thrilled with the way this set performs, and happily recommend it to others.
Ultra Sharp 2-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone
The Ultra Sharp 2-Sided Diamond Sharpening Stone features a coarse 300 grit on one side and an extra-fine 1200 grit on the other. A non-skid universal stone holder is included, and will accommodate other sharpening stones – even different brands – easily thanks to an adjustable design. This set sharpens all types of steel and comes with a 100% lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Non-skid bench accommodates all sharpening stones between 6” and 9”
- Electroplated diamonds last longer
Cons
- No medium grit; must purchase separately if needed
This Diamond Sharpening Stone is Ideal For:
People who want to repair the occasional chip and maintain ultra-sharp edges on their knives will enjoy using this set, particularly since it’s easy to expand and add more stones over time. Although this set costs a little more than some others, it offers reliable long-term performance.
Ultra Sharp Diamond Sharpening Stone Set with Holder
This complete set of diamond sharpening stones from Ultra Sharp includes one coarse 300-grit stone, one medium 600-grit stone, and one extra-fine 1200-grit stone, plus a universal stone holder with non-skid feet. Designed to sharpen all knives and tools, including ceramic knives, this set is made in the USA, and comes with a 100% lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Good, solid feel; stays flat
- Efficient, effective performance
Cons
- No storage system; arrive with heavy cardboard holders
- A few reports of manufacturing defects and mis-shipped products, company is quick to respond and make things right
This Diamond Sharpening Stone is Ideal For:
If you’re a serious knife user who wants an all-in-one solution, then you’re probably going to join the ranks of the satisfied users who mention that they love these stones so much that they go looking for more things to sharpen!
It would be nice if this set came with a leather strop for polishing, but overall, it’s our top pick for best diamond sharpening stone set overall.
Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener
With built-in blade edge angles, the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener features five abrasive steps including coarse and fine diamond sharpening plates, coarse and fine ceramic honing rod, and a leather strop for polishing. a serration sharpener and a fish hook sharpener are built in for added convenience. This diamond sharpening stone is completely self-contained. It is made in America, and is suitable for a variety of tools, hunting knives, and kitchen knives.
Pros
- Portable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Some reports of hard leather strops
- Multiple steps required to go from dull to sharp knives
This Diamond Sharpening Stone is Ideal For:
Adventurers, anglers, hunters, and everyday cooks appreciate this versatile knife sharpening system for its ability to handle a vast variety of tasks with ease. The angle guides help beginners get good edges without risking their knives. Thanks to its affordability and ingenuity, this is our top budget pick for best diamond sharpening stone.
Using and Caring for Your Diamond Sharpening Stone
Now that you’ve chosen the best diamond sharpening stone for your knives, take advantage of these quick tips.
- Watch knife sharpening tutorials: If you’re new to the process of sharpening your own knives, consider spending a little time watching knife sharpening tutorials to see how it’s done. Practice on inexpensive knives that aren’t important to you, and once you’re confident in your knife sharpening technique, get to work on your good knives.
- Consider using water: While it’s true that diamond sharpening stones work dry, water carries debris away from the stone so you get better, cleaner results.
- A little goes a long way: Diamond sharpening stones are best for grinding out chips and getting clean edges that are ready for further sharpening or polishing. Just 5 or 6 strokes can make quite a difference – one stroke on a diamond sharpening stone is equal to at least five strokes on an Arkansas stone or a Japanese water stone. After using coarse, medium, and fine diamond sharpening stones, you may want to follow up by honing and polishing your knife’s edges with an ultra-fine sharpener. If you don’t have an ultra-fine diamond sharpening stone, you can use a different type such as a ceramic honing rod, an Arkansas stone, or a Japanese water stone.
- Use your diamond sharpening stone to maintain other sharpeners: If your water stone starts to develop a concave shape (a common issue that’s perfectly normal) you can use a diamond sharpening stone to remove the excess and flatten it back out. Manufacturers recommend using a 400-grit diamond sharpening stone for this task.
- Test your knife periodically during sharpening: If you’re new to the art of sharpening knives, you’ll want to test the blade periodically to see whether it’s sharp enough. Use a tomato or some lettuce, or try slicing through a sheet of paper. Once you like the way the knife works, you know it’s time to move on to sharpening the next one!
- Clean up and store: When you’re finished, rinse your sharpening stone with water and use a stiff brush to remove any built-up slurry. Be sure to let your stone dry completely before putting it away, and store it in a dry place out of the reach of curious children.
With a great set of knives and the best diamond sharpening stone available, you’ll reap the benefits that come with using ultra-sharp blades. Foods will be easier to cut, and they’ll be evenly sliced for an attractive appearance and even cooking. More importantly, cutting jobs will be safer and you’ll be far less frustrated. We’re confident that once you’ve become accustomed to sharp knives, you’ll never go back to dull blades again. We wish you success in your next culinary adventure!
