For a beginner, a single 1000-grit medium whetstone is the perfect starting point. It removes enough steel to restore a dull blade without being too aggressive, leaving a keen, toothy edge perfect for everyday cutting. Consider a 1000/6000 combo stone to get a finer polish.
If your knives are very dull or have nicks and chips, start with a coarse grit, such as 200 to 400, to remove the imperfections and reshape the edge. Once you have achieved the desired shape, move on to a medium grit, around 1000 to 3000, to refine the edge and remove any remaining scratches.
Medium stones number range: #1000 to #3000
The #1000 grit stone is considered your basic, go to, sharpening stone. If your knives have lost their edge and need a good sharpen, then this is the grit you should start with.
Finer Stones (3000 – 6000 Grit)
These stones help clean up the edge after sharpening. They smooth out any roughness left behind by lower grits and prepare the blade for polishing. 3000 Grit: Good for refining after a 1000 grit sharpening. 6000 Grit: Often used for routine maintenance and polishing for kitchen knives.
Always use the 1000 grit first.
600 grit is finer than 400 grit.
In the sharpening phase, we do not recommend any current WD-40® Brand Products although some may be used later for storage & protection. For sharpening stones the lubrication can come from water or oil.
Here are the most common mistakes and proven ways to avoid them:
Rule #1: It is important to use a knife adapted to what you want to do / food you want to prepare. For example, you shouldn't use a bread knife to slice a roast or use the blade of a paring knife and use it as a screwdriver (don't laugh, we've all done it!) Rule #2: Don't drop your knife on the floor.
Yes, a whetstone needs to be wet, but the way you wet it depends on the type of stone. Water or oil acts as a lubricant to prevent friction, keep the blade cool, and float away metal shavings (swarf) so the stone doesn't clog.
Cutting boards made of glass, granite, ceramic, or your dinner plate may look stylish or convenient, but they are the fastest way to destroy a knife's edge. These surfaces are harder than your knife's steel. So every time your blade contacts them, it suffers microscopic edge deformation, chipping, or even rolling.
Gordon Ramsay primarily uses a traditional honing steel (or sharpening rod) to maintain knife edges before use, emphasizing safety and consistent 45° angles. While he often uses professional whetstones for deep sharpening, modern demonstrations (and fan-used products) have shown the Tumbler Rolling Sharpener to be highly effective for achieving a razor-sharp edge on his knives.
Use a 400-grit whetstone for heavy-duty knife repairs and reprofiling. It is your go-to grit for fixing chipped or deeply gouged blades, establishing a new bevel angle, or sharpening a knife that is so completely dull it would take far too long on a traditional 1000-grit medium stone.
When using a whetstone, you should use both pushing and pulling strokes for the most effective sharpening session.
What Is Sandpaper Grit? Sandpaper grit is sized by a gauge number, with lower numbers signifying larger, coarser grits. For example, #24- or #40-grit sandpaper is a very coarse, rough sandpaper, while the #1,000-grit paper is extremely fine with very small abrasive particles.
Pull-through sharpeners are not universally "bad," but they are generally discouraged for high-quality or expensive knives. They offer quick, convenient edge maintenance but are highly aggressive, removing excess metal and often leaving a fragile, jagged edge.
3-Finger Test
Lightly place the knife edge on your fingers (sideways, not pointing down) and gently pull. A sharp blade will feel very "grabby" and not slip easily over your skin.
If your knife isn't sharp after using a whetstone, the issue is almost always a folded edge (a burr) or an unstable sharpening angle.
The best knife lubricant depends on your application: for food prep, use food-safe mineral or coconut oil; for folding knife pivots, use high-performance synthetics like KPL Knife Pivot Lube; and for low-mess storage, choose dry lubricants or waxes.
Butterfly knives (or balisongs) are illegal in many areas because they are categorized as dangerous, easily concealed weapons that can be deployed rapidly with one hand. Lawmakers often associate their flashy nature with gang activity, intimidation tactics, and pop-culture violence.
400 to 600 grit: Finer, offers a slower sharpening rate, the edge of the knife will look frosted or clouded after using a sharpening stone of this grit. 600 to 1000 grit: Between 600 and 1000 grit will leave a finer edge; at 1000 grit, an edge that is nearly razor sharp can be left on the blade.
Super Fine: 600-Grit
When it comes to correcting errors in soft layers of paint, 600-grit sandpaper makes the task relatively easy. Likewise, if paint runs out before a panel has been fully covered, the edges of the paint can be sanded smooth with a wet 600.
The "P" on sandpaper stands for P-Grade, a grading standard established by the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives (FEPA).