Throughout history, the tools used for sharpening woodworking tools have progressed. A German woodworker may use a green razor hone in the 19th century. But an English carpenter from the same era might’ve preferred to use Charney Forest stones.
With so many different types of stone material and grit grades to choose from, determining which one is best for your woodworking tools can be difficult. Fortunately, the large number of sharpening stones on the market allows you to pick one that matches your requirements.
But what is the best sharpening tool for a woodworker today? Waterstones have quickly become the preferred way to sharper woodworking tools due to their versatility, grit variety, and ease of use.
What is a Waterstone?
A Waterstone is a piece of refined stone with a rough surface made to sharpen metallic instruments. This includes chisels, knives, and all kinds of blades.
Waterstones have just recently paved their way into the Western world. However, due to their various advantages, they have rapidly garnered a large following. Waterstones can be man-made (synthetic) or natural. However, due to availability, man-made stones are far more popular in the Western world. It is also because synthetic Waterstones are smoother than Oilstones.
Woodworking Waterstones Reviewed
Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone Set
Pros
- It consists of two separate double-sided grit stones that’ll meet all your sharpening needs.
- The set is an all-in-one sharpening stone that offers sharpening/polishing for a wide range of products.
- It’s corrosion and heat resistant, and it’s designed for ultra-precise sharpening.
Cons
- The guidebook included in the set does not describe how to use the flattening black stone.
- There is a chance of the bamboo mat growing mold if not dried properly.
Even the sharpest blades lose their sharp edge over time. That is exactly why you need to invest in a set of sharpening stones that meets your needs.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use sharpening stone that is also versatile and suitable for beginners, this is the set for you.
The Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone set comes with two double-sided stones with different grits on each side. It’ll sharpen almost every woodworking tool in your house. Because it’s a Waterstone, all it takes to get the job done is a little water.
Bamboo support and two flattening stones are also included in the package, along with a Waterstone angle guide. The Waterstones come in 1000/400 and 8000/3000 grits, making it ideal for both experienced hunters and home cooks.
The coarse 400 grit stones are perfect for sharpening and repairing chipped edges. The 1000 grit makes the blade durable and gives it a sharp edge.
It smoothens down rough edges, repairs small gaps, and strengthens the blade. The grit stones (8000 and 3000 variants) can produce a fine finish. They also endow the blade with a nice polish.
If you have this sharpening set in your woodworking shop, you can spend less time honing knives and more time using them with this Waterstone Set.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about dull blades ever again!
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 3.4 x 8.4 x 9 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 5 pounds |
Norton Japanese-Style Combination Waterstone
Pros
- User-friendly and a great option for new users.
- Affordable and versatile.
- Consistent grading and quality.
Cons
- The Waterstone requires users to flatten it regularly.
- It wears out pretty quickly.
This particular Waterstone offers a grit combination of 220/1000. It belongs to the Japanese style 24335 Norton Abrasives category.
It offers an efficient option to repair the cutting edge through the 220 grit. At the same time, to consolidate the cutting edges, it makes use of the 1000 grit.
The Waterstone comes enclosed in a hinged box made of plastic which is blue in color. The box is crucial in keeping the Waterstone moist and shields it from any type of damage.
During bench use, it keeps the Waterstone in place and functions as a station for sharpening purposes. The box lid has feet made of rubber to avoid slips during sharpening.
Norton uses an abrasive material to create this synthetic Waterstone. The material’s graded to ensure consistency in the sizes of the particles. After that, it’s blended by making use of bonding agents.
The Waterstone is a perfect option for those who are trying their hand at it for the first time. Also, if you’ve got a limited budget and you’re looking for an efficient Waterstone, you can go for this product.
The setting up process of the Waterstone is easy, apart from being easy to use.
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 9.8 x 4.3 x 2.3 inches; 2.04 Pounds |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 2.04 pounds |
Chefic Sharpening Stones
Pros
- The product is affordable and has great value for money.
- The stone is clearly labeled with grit numbers.
- It’s perfect for large kitchen knives, as well as woodworking and gardening tools.
Cons
- The tool is not recommended to use on ceramic knives and serrated blades.
- It’s not suitable for beginners.
Created with high-quality corundum, you can count on the Chefic sharpening stones to give your knife back its luster. The size of its working surface is ideal for large knives and tools.
Sharpening dull blades and fixing chipped or broken edges is a breeze with the 1000 grit. In addition, it also allows for very quick metal removal.
The sharpness of the 4000 gritstone is comparable to that of a professionally sharpened knife. It’s perfect for sharpening garden and craft knives.
However, one should not use it on ceramic knives or serrated blades.
The Waterstone is corrosion and heat resistant with clearly demarcated edges. It has a silicone non-slip base.
It provides a stable platform for safer sharpening and better angling.
In case you’re unsatisfied with the set, don’t worry! You can return the product within 30-days with a full refund.
Product Details:
| Item Weight | 1.23 pounds |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 7.08 x 2.36 x 1.06 inches |
| Size | 1000/6000 |
| Color | Blue/White |
| Style | Two-sided Whetstone |
| Material | Corundum |
Whetstone Premium Waterstone Set
Pros
- The set comes with a flattening stone.
- It’s easy and safe to use.
- The Waterstone offers two surfaces, the fine side, and the coarse side, for maximum efficiency.
Cons
- The set doesn’t come with the angle guide.
The stone set by Whetstone is of extremely premium quality. It’s very efficient to sharpen double-sided knives.
The Waterstone offers two sides, namely, the fine side and the coarse side.
The former offers a grit combination of 3000/8000 and is effective for the purposes of polishing. It’s employed for edges that are already sharp and require a few finishing touches.
In contrast, the latter is of 400/1000 grit combination. It marks the beginning of the sharpening process to achieve extremely sharp edges. Well-sharpened edges are able to reflect light fairy well.
For the best results, ensure to use the Chefic Waterstone, which is a component of the premium quality set of Waterstones by Whetstone. It’s created by making use of white corundum, which is among the purest Waterstone sources.
The material makes the Waterstones resistant to heat and corrosion. It sharpens the knives efficiently and endows them with finely demarcated corners and edges.
Apart from ceramic knives and serrated blades, you can use them to efficiently sharpen porting knives, Shun chef knives, and even pocket knives. Also, kitchen shears and kitchen knives naturally fall under the ambit of the application of the Waterstone set.
The bamboo base offers a non-slip surface which is vital to avoid safety-related issues. The silicone non-slip base tightly places the Waterstone in position and holds it.
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 2.79 x 0.93 x 0.47 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 5.3 pounds |
The Norton Waterstone Starter Kit
Pros
- One can employ it to effectively consolidate or repair the knives or even polish and refine the corners and the edges.
- It includes a non-slip rubber base.
- The kit includes a flattening stone for Waterstone maintenance.
Cons
- It’s messy to clean.
- The flattening stone is not perfectly flat.
The Norton Waterstone sharpening set is great for those who use a bunch of sharpening tools. It comes with two different Waterstones to meet the needs of your woodworking tools.
One of the stones has grits of 8000 on one side and 4000 on the other, and it’s primarily used for polishing and refining.
On the other hand, 1000 and 22o grits have an abrasive texture. It’s recommended for more serious repairs.
Each grit size of the Waterstone can function as a stand-alone bench stone. These also come with non-slip packaging to keep the tools secure, even in the hands of inexperienced users.
The set also includes a flattening stone, which is useful for keeping both stones in good condition.
You won’t need to buy any additional supplies to keep your stones in decent shape.
Product Details:
| Product Dimensions | 10.4 x 5.4 x 5.6 inches; 4.49 Pounds |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 4.49 pounds |
What grid-grade Waterstones are needed for Woodworking?
Say you want a sharpening stone to sharpen chisels in a short amount of time. What do you do? A Waterstone within the 150-250 grit range is the best option in that case. It can not only repair a damaged edge but also restore the bevel of a blade.
You can count on an 800-, 1000-, or 1200-grit Waterstone for general-purpose sharpening. If you need to sharpen chipped or highly used edges on a regular basis, the 800-grit stone is an excellent all-around option.
To hone and polish a sharp edge, use a “finish stone.” A 4000 grit Waterstone is perfect due to its fine texture.
For standard tool sharpening, use a 12000, 1000, or 800 stone with an 8000 or 6000 grit Waterstone. If you regularly deal with chipped edges, consider adding an abrasive Waterstone to your collection, such as the 250 or 150 grit.
Tips when sharpening woodworking tools with a Waterstone:
Make sure Waterstone is wet before starting
When using a Waterstone it is crucial that you submerge it in water completely before starting the process. A dry Waterstone is not very useful. Do not use oils or other substances to wet the stone. Waterstones should be used with lukewarm water.
Use a sharp angle: 45 degrees or a sharper angle is adequate to get a good result
When sharpening the tip of a chisel or another woodworking tool, place the tip of the tool at an angle of 45 degrees or less. This will ensure that the finished edge is sharp enough and not just a dull tip of metal.
The sharper of an angle you use, the sharper your tool will be at the end. Play around with the angles and even move the Waterstone around to get an appropriate sharp edge.
Use a honing guide if possible
Sharpening tools with a Waterstone freehand is possible but it will require quite a bit of experience to get it right. Utilize a honing guide to make the process simpler and safer.
Slowly move from low-grit stones to high-grit stones
You want to start off with a low-grit Waterstone, such as a 150 or 300 grit, depending on how dull your woodworking tool is. After several passes with that stone, move on to a 1000 2000 grit Waterstone. For finishing, use the highest grit grade stone you have in hand.
Finish your chisel with an 8000+ grit Waterstone
For the last step of the sharpening process is it key that a very high grit grade Waterstone is used. A stone with 8000 to 10000 grit is recommended. If you don’t have a Waterstone with such grit grade, a 4000 grit will suffice and give acceptable results.
Waterstone vs. Oilstone Comparison
In comparison to Oilstones, Waterstones are way more efficient and faster. These stones are popular for the same reason.
Although Waterstones exist in natural as well as artificial varieties, the latter is the more famed one.
While both stones contain aluminum oxide, the stones are substantially different. Unlike their Oilstone brethren, Waterstones bind together with special binders. It allows the cutting particles to break off once they become dull.
So as you sharpen Waterstones, you’re constantly uncovering aluminum oxide. That allows the cutting to be much faster. Also, using water as a lubricant is a lot cleaner than oil.
Of course, the downside is they wear much more quickly than oil film. And as a result, you have to flatten the stones more often.
How to store sharpening Waterstones
When you’re storing finely graded Waterstones, ensure that it’s not wet or damp. Make sure that it’s completely dry.
Remove debris and excess material when you’re done using the Waterstone by washing it properly. It’s crucial that before you go ahead and store it, you dry it overnight.
Don’t go by the appearance; even if it looks dry, the Waterstone may still be wet.
If you store a wet Waterstone in a box, mold may develop. Make sure it’s aired out appropriately and not stored in a closed and damp location.
Also, you must not store it in locations with freezing temperatures as cracks may develop.
What is the finest grit Waterstone?
Waterstones can be found in grit grades as fine as 30000. These are very uncommon and usually, you won’t need anything above grit 10000 when sharpening woodworking tools.
Closing Thoughts
Based on detailed analysis, the best Waterstones for woodworking actually exists in a set. It’s none other than the Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone Set.
It’s an all-inclusive set that comes with an angle guide, a flattening stone, and a bamboo base that is non-slip. The set is most definitely a steal, given that it’s available at such a bargain price of $28.50-$30.50.
For sure, there are other knife sets that are cheaper and offer similar features. You can also find sets that offer knives with fancy and complicated features like triangular troughs.
But even then, it doesn’t quite measure up to what Whetstone offers through its knife set.