What are the Best Whetstone Grit Combination? [Guide 2023]

Whetstones with their amazing qualification can sharpen a blade with precision. But not all whetstones can provide the precise sharpness that some particular knife requires. There are some branded whetstones in the market that come with different ranges of grit combinations. It is to offer services for knives that need sharpening of different range of different whetstone grit. Regarding this, the most often question is what are the best whetstone grit combination. 

The right whetstone grit is capable of sharpening knives no matter what material-based the blade is. Also, as there are whetstones of different grits, you can get a huge scope to choose the perfect one that your knife needs. But, there are some significant things about whetstone grit as you need to select the right one for your desired knife. Therefore, we selected this topic to provide you with some enlightening ideas. So, let’s get started. 

What is whetstone Grit Range?

As we have already mentioned that all whetstones are not the same, there are many differences from one whetstone to another regarding their grit ranges. It is because not all knives require a hard kind of sharpening. Some just want a slight sharpening and some want a rough kind of sharpening while some knives require sharpening in between the two. Let’s discuss in-depth.

For Mild Sharpening 

We recommend different whetstone grits for knives that require different ranges of sharpening. For example, if your knife is almost okay and yet it has some blurry scratches on it, then to polish the knife and to remove the scratches and blurriness, you must use a whetstone with 2000 grit or more. It sharpens the edges and gives a smooth effect evening the scratches to your knife. 

For Normal Sharpening

However, there is also reasonable grit in whetstone for knives that need normal sharpening. And whetstones between 700 to 2000 grits offer the exact sharpness to your knife. But, it is said by the experts that 700 to 1200 whetstone grits are enough to sharpen the normal dullness of an edge.

For Tough Sharpening

Some lesser grains are used for rough sharpening. Whetstone grits that are from 120 to 400 are best to tackle the immense dullness and chipped edge of your knife. If you want to remain in between #120 to #240 grains of stones, then it will also be acceptable. Choosing beyond #240 grains of whetstone doesn’t give that much of an effective result. So, you can choose less than 240 whetstone grits. 

For Less Effective Sharpening

There are whetstones that have grits more than 10000. But the fact is they are not as fruitful as the whetstone grits less than 10000. For mild or less effect you can try them out. But if you really want some significant and practical improvement, then choose stone less than #8000 grains. However, if you still find any difficulties to find a suitable one, then follow the instructions from the manufacturers.

How to Choose More Than One Whetstone for a Best Result ?

Checking the Sharpening requirements:

You cannot just buy a whetstone to sharpen your knife without checking the grits. Besides, one stone is going to cover and give a fine finishing to your knife. Your dull knife not only requires sharpening but also requires grinding and honing. Therefore, you need to bring three whetstones to fulfill the job. Here, you can skip the grinding stone, if you bring a combination stone. 

Checking Whetstone Grit Size according Sharpening needs:

This combination stone can work for the grinding stage. If you are not a professional and your knife does not require sharpening now and then, you can buy the combination one. Another thing, that you should consider about a whetstone is, bigger whetstones provide full coverage sharpening. Also, they quicken your job. But the little ones are fine as well despite their time-consuming result. 

Decide Your  required Whetstone:

However, a whetstone of 8000 grits works for all categories of sharpening knives, only if you are a professional. For beginners, we recommend whetstone grits from 3000 to 6000. This will help you to be skillful at sharpening and producing a satisfying result. Let’s talk about some whetstones of particular grits.

What is Coarse Stones?

#1000 or Less:

Seriously damaged knives require a rough sharpening to get into fitness. Therefore, coarse stones are used to tackle the nicks and chips of the edges. Coarse stones come with grits 1000 or less than that. With these coarse stones, you can reliably sharpen your knives. This type of whetstone can bring the right shape to the edge of your knife.

Besides, many expensive knives can be saved with these coarse stones. Even a completely damaged edge can be brought back in razor-sharpness just by using this whetstone. They come with great abrasive quality. Therefore, a less damaged knife should not be sharpened by coarse stones, as they may put a reverse effect on your knife. 

3 Best 1000 Grit Whetstone Knife sharpener:

What is Medium Stones?

#1000 to less than #3000 

Medium stones don’t have rough grains like coarse ones. These stones are for mild sharpening. These types of stones come with grits in between 1000 to 3000. A medium stone is the most common one that is used by professionals to beginners. For a little sharpening of the edges, adopt this whetstone. 

A professional chef in a restaurant often seeks for sharpening different types of knives at different times. This sharpening is not a kind of rough one rather a regular one. Therefore, for a regular sharpening process, whetstones from #2000 to #3000 grains are acceptable.

3 Best 3000 Grit Whetstone:

What is Best polishing whetstone or Finishing Stones?

#Starts with #4000 

Finishing stones start from 4000 grits. To get finer finishing you need to increase the whetstone grit range only. However, as knives are made of different countries following different methods and different materials, the ranges of grit may differ regarding those facts. 

For instance, a western knife mostly comes with a “U” shaped edge whereas a Japanese knife comes with a “V” shaped edge. This difference does matter while you are up to choose a whetstone for sharpening. In a situation like this, use whetstone that has 5000 grits. You can also use more than #5000 and go up to 8000 whetstone grits. It will give a super fine finishing to your stone. 

If you have a particular knife for cutting meat and flesh of poultry, then 4000 to 6000 whetstone grits are just fine to use. Then again, knives that cut vegetables and fruits require sharpening stones with 6000 to 8000 grits. It provides the ultimate polishing and honing of the edges and bevels that your used knife requires to slay again. 

3 Best 6000 Grit Whetstone:

More FAQs on Choosing Best Whetstone grit

1. Is 1000 grit whetstone works suffice? 

A 1000 grit whetstone works in between rough sharpening and mild sharpening but all you need to know is how to conduct it. If you are a pro at sharpening knives, then you know how much time and skill you need to provide to sharpen a knife that requires mild sharpening and how much that requires tough sharpening. So, it can be said that whetstones of 1000 grits are just fine and suffice enough.

2. How should you take care of a whetstone? 

You can take the best care of your whetstone only when you are following the manual of it. Whetstones of heavy grits should not be soaked in water. They only require splashing of water in cases. Besides, you need to make sure that the whetstone has dried after using it and before preserving it. Otherwise, mold and mildew can make its inhabitant soon.

Wrap Up 

To find the ideal and exact whetstone grit might not seem that easy, but if you have read the articles thoroughly, you can have at least an idea of what range of whetstone grit you should pick. You’ll also find a knife manufacturer producing whetstone for the particular knife to provide the utmost benefit to its customers. 

Then you don’t have to ask, what are the best whetstone grit combination. And also, among this vast collection of whetstones, our guide will help you at least to select one and try without getting any reversed result.