Sharpening a knife regularly ensures that you make the best of your expensive knives and they last longer! Check out these best Japanese knife sharpener to always keep things sharp in your kitchen!
When a knife stops working smoothly, our immediate response is to get another one. But, that is not the only option. If you are unhappy with the sharpness of your knife, then it may be time to invest in a knife sharpener as it’s a super important gadget to have in your kitchen!
Best Japanese Knife Sharpener: Quick Summary
Knife sharpeners are different from honing steels and stones, which are primarily used to maintain already-sharp knives. Knife sharpeners, on the other hand, are meant for blades that have become dull and need more attention.
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Types Of Japanese Knife Sharpener
When choosing between Japanese knife sharpeners, there are 4 main types of Japanese sharpeners that you can check out:
Manual Japanese Knife Sharpener
Handheld or manual Japanese sharpeners are pretty easy to use and are effective as well. Manual Japanese knife sharpeners comes with a slot where you have to place the knife and pull it. There are also manual Japanese knife sharpeners where you pull the sharpener over the knife as well.
Compared to electric Japanese knife sharpener, more effort is required but the precision is better with manual Japanese knife sharpeners. Also, manual Japanese knife sharpeners are compact when compared to electric Japanese knife sharpener so you can simply store it in your kitchen drawer.
Electric Japanese Knife Sharpener
An electric Japanese knife sharpener is pretty simple to use as well and requires very little effort, unlike the manual knife sharpeners. Electric knife sharpeners will have 2 or more slots through which you pul the knife and the spinning stones inside the machine sharpen the knife.
However, electric knife sharpeners may reduce the life of the knife as they grind more metal than required. If you’re not really passionate about your blades and don’t use premium knives but want a slick blade for every time you use it then electric Japanese knife sharpeners is good option for you!
Japanese Knife Honing Steel
Also known as Japanese knife honer or Japanese knife honing steel,
Japanese knife honing steel doesn’t exactly sharpen the knife but realigns the blade if it’s out of shape, as it happens with knives that have been used too long. Even though the honing steel doesn’t sharpen the edge but rather brings the edge back to it original position, the knife will cut like any other sharpened knife.
A knife honing steel is a long steel rod with a handle in the end and usually comes with a Japanese knife set. Using a honing steel is good to maintain your blades between a sharpening session. Honing it will improve the lifespan of the blades because you will sharpen it less often.
It’s important for you to understand how to use a knife sharpening rod or honing steel before you get to it.
Japanese Whetstones
Japanese whetstones give you the ultimate control when it comes to sharpening knives in terms of angle and pressure. Some whetstones require to be wet, some require to be dry and some require to have oil when used to sharpen knives.
You attach the stone on a surface using the holder or stand and then run the knife across it until it’s sharpened. Some stones have a fine and coarse side to refine the edge otherwise you’ll have to get a stone set that has different grit levels to properly sharpen your blade.
However, it’s not easy to learn and will require some practice. For practice, I suggest you use a cheap knife because you could do more harm than good if you don’t use it correctly.
How to use a Japanese knife sharpener?
How to use an Electric Japanese Knife Sharpener?
Step 1: Turn the knife sharpener on
Step 2: Hold the handle of the knife and insert the cutting edge inside. Make sure that the entire side of the knife goes in.
Step 3: Pull the knife back and forth slowly and the electric sharpener will do the job.
How to use a Japanese Honing Rod?
Step 1: Hold the honing rod vertical with the tip facing down with the tip on a flat surface
Step 2: Position heel of the knife against the rod while keeping the knife flat and pull the blade backwards
Step 3: find the right angle (about 22 degrees) when you’re sharpening the knife. Maintain your angle and pull the heel down the rod, simultaneously pulling the knife towards you. Make sure you cover the entire length of the knife till the tip
Step 4: Do the same on the other side as well
How to use a Japanese Whetstone to sharpen a knife?
Step 1: Depending on the whetstone you have you need to prepare it accordingly. Fine grit whetstone just needs to be wet so hand wash it under the tap. But if you have a coarse grit stone then soak it in water for 15 minutes before you begin
Step 2: Some whetstones come with a stand or holder so it doesn’t move when sharpening the knife. If yours doesn’t have a stand or a holder then you can place the whetstone on a wet cloth or rubber liner with the coarse side up.
Step 3: hold the knife with your index finger on the spine and thumb on the flat side of the knife. Apply pressure on the tip of the knife using your left hand fingers and push the edge along the whetstone. Apply pressure on the blade as you move down the blade. Don’t apply pressure as you bring the knife back to the original position. Do the same process on the othe side.
Benefits Of Using Japanese Knife Sharpeners
- Ease of Use
The first thing is that the best knife sharpener should be easy and comfortable to use
- Fulfills the Actual Purpose
The sharpener you pick should do the job correctly, i.e., sharpen the dull blades to razor sharpness
- Ability to Sharpen Different Types of Knives
Another important thing is that the knife should have the ability to sharpen different types of knives, not just Japanese knives
Best Japanese Knife Sharpeners: Quick Glance
| Best Japanese Knife Sharpener | Type of Sharpener |
| Kyocera Advanced Ceramics Diamond Wheel Knife Sharpener | Slots |
| Brieto Water Sharpener | Wheel |
| Minosharp Knife Sharpener | Wheel |
| Shinkansen Water Sharpener | Wheel |
| Miyabi 2-Stage Handheld Knife Sharpener | Wheel |
| Zwilling Knife Sharpener | Slots |
| King Knife Sharpener Whetstone Grit 6000 | Whetstone Grit |
| Fuji Merchandise K-45 Whetstone Knife Sharpener | Whetstone Grit |
| Tatara Double Sided Whetstone Knife Sharpener | Whetstone Grit |
| Minosharp Wheel Water Sharpener | Wheel |
| Kota Japan 12-inch Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener | Rod |
| Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Whetstone Knife Sharpener | Whetstone Grit |
Which is the best Japanese knife sharpener?
My team and I tested 20+ Japanese knife sharpeners and rated them on the basis of sharpening ability, ease of use, and how many different kinds of knives it can sharpen. We found Minosharp Knife Sharpener to be the best in the list.
Minosharp Knife Sharpener is a user-friendly and hand-held sharpener that is an excellent product to help you return your dull knives to their original sharpness. It comes with a water reservoir that needs to be filled with water before using it. The water helps with the heat that arises due to friction. The sharpening wheels are color-coded to denote rough, medium, and super-fine. The sharpener works well on almost all knives. It’s available on Amazon for sale.
Kyocera Advanced Ceramics Diamond Wheel Knife Sharpener
This is probably one of the best Japanese ceramic knife sharpeners out there. It is an easy-to-use manual sharpener that is so handy, you will not have an excuse to put off the sharpening task. Only a couple passes over this industrial diamond whetstone will give the knives a super-sharp blade.
It is safe to use; the blade does not slip out while you are sharpening it. Like many other sharpeners out there, this one does not have an arched design. The handle is also carefully designed to provide maximum comfort and ease. The sharpener lets you work on a variety of blades: steel, stainless steel, titanium, and even ceramic.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use manual sharpener
- Handy device
- Only a couple of passes can make the blades super sharp
- Made of industrial diamond whetstone
- Blade does not slip out while you are sharpening it
- Firm and carefully designed handle that makes it easy to grip it
- Works on a variety of blades such as steel, titanium, and ceramic
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Brieto Water Sharpener
If you’re looking for a Japanese knife sharpener with water then this is the best choice for you!
If you need a knife sharpener that will last you a long time, this is the one to consider. The sharpener features a water reservoir that you need to fill before using it. The reason for this innovative design is that the water reduces heat generated from friction. Thanks to this feature, both the knives and the whetstones last for a considerably longer time.
The sharpener is stable and easy to hold. It contains three types of grindstones, which can sharpen even the most common kitchen knives. With this product, you can sit back and relax for years.
Key Features:
- A long-lasting sharpener that will last for years
- Features a water reservoir that needs to be filled up before using it
- The water reduces heat generated from friction, which keeps the blades safe for a long time
- Stable and easy to hold
- Can sharpen even the most common kitchen knives
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Minosharp Knife Sharpener
This is a user-friendly, handheld Japanese knife sharpener with water that is an excellent product to help you return your dull knives to their original sharpness. It comes with a water reservoir that needs to be filled with water before using it. The water helps with the heat that arises due to friction.
It also features innovative ceramic wheels that ensure that the blades are sharpened at the correct angle. The sharpening wheels are color-coded to denote rough, medium, and super-fine. The sharpener works well on almost all knives.
Key Features:
- User-friendly and hand-held sharpener
- Helps to return your dull knives to their original sharpness
- Comes with a water reservoir that needs to be filled with water
- Reduces heat that arises due to friction
- Features innovative ceramic wheels that sharpen the blades at the correct angle
- Color-coded sharpening wheels
- Works on almost all knives
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Shinkansen Water Sharpener
It is an excellent knife sharpener that does its job pretty well. With a sturdy handle that lets you get a good grip, this sharpener is your knife’s ultimate savior. No matter how dull the blades are, this sharpener brings them back to life.
It works wonderfully on global knives, thanks to the sharpening wheels. The sharpening also happens at the right angle. This is again a sharpener with the innovative water reservoir system that reduces the heat caused by friction. The whetstone gives the knives an incredibly sharp edge. If your knife is slightly dull, moving it on the pink wheel works well. However, if you are dealing with a particularly dull knife, sharpen it on the white coarse wheel.
Key Features:
- Sturdy handle that makes it easy to grip
- Works on Global knives
- Sharpens the knives at the right angle
- Features a water reservoir that needs to be filled
- Reduces heat caused due to friction
- Two sharpening wheels for the perfect job
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Miyabi 2-Stage Handheld Knife Sharpener
This is an excellent Japanese handheld knife sharpener that contains abrasives. This leaves a very smooth edge on the knives and makes them super-sharp. The sharpness and smoothness left on the knives are equivalent to the ones we get from electric sharpeners.
This knife sharpener is compact, small in size, and lightweight; it comes with two sharpening modules. The first one is a diamond-coated wheel that is coarse and great to use as a pre-sharpening module. The second one is a ceramic wheel that is used for fine sharpening and finishing. It has an ergonomic, non-slip handle that makes it easy to grip it while sharpening.
Key Features:
- Leaves knives smooth and sharp
- Small in size and lightweight
- Comes with two sharpening modules/wheels
- The diamond-coated wheel works great as a pre-sharpener
- The ceramic wheel is used for fine sharpening and finishing
- Ergonomic, non-slip handle that is easy to grip
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Zwilling J.A Henckels Knife Sharpener
The Zwilling Knife Sharpener comes with four distinct sharpening slots instead of the typical two or three. And it is these slots that make this sharpener so unique and different from the rest. Two of the slots are specifically meant for Asian knives whereas the other two are meant for standard western knives. The handle has been ergonomically designed to keep your hand comfortable while sharpening the knives. The bottom of the sharpener is made of rubber to prevent it from slipping.
Key Features:
- Wonderful sharpener that comes with four distinct sharpening slots
- These slots make this sharpener more unique than the others
- Two of the slots are meant for Asian knives whereas the other two are meant for standard western knives
- Ergonomically designed handles that make the grip comfortable and non-slippery
- Rubberized bottom to keep the sharpener from slipping
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Japanese King Knife Sharpener Whetstone Grit
The whetstone grit knife sharpener has a high grit that makes it ideal for honing a mirror-like edge to the knives. It has a plastic base, which leads to minimal slipping while you are sharpening the knives. It is an affordable and good-quality whetstone that is ideal for creating that razor-sharp finish.
Before using, you need to soak the whetstone for about 15 minutes in the water, after which, it is ready and convenient to use. The high-quality grit really works your knives and gives them that sharp edge.
Key Features:
- High grit that is ideal for honing a mirror-like edge to the knives
- Comes with a plastic base that leads to minimal slipping
- Affordable and good-quality sharpening whetstone
- Creates razor-sharp finish
- Soak the whetstone in water for 15 minutes before using
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Fuji Merchandise K-45 Whetstone Knife Sharpener
This is yet another wonderful whetstone grit that helps sharpen your blade and give it that razor-blade sharpness. It is inexpensive, but that does not reduce its efficiency. The whetstone is glued to the base, which is made of plastic. The base is sturdy and prevents the grit from slipping. The strong grit can change even the dullest of the knives into an almost new-like state. Before using it, you need to soak it for about 20 minutes. After doing so, the whetstone is ready to bring a new life to your knives.
Key Features:
- Inexpensive option that helps bring a razor-blade sharpness to your knives
- Glued to the plastic base, which prevents the grit from slipping while you are working at it
- Sturdy base that provides a good grip
- Works even on the dullest of knives
- Soak for about 20 minutes in water before using it
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Tatara Double-sided Whetstone Knife Sharpener
This is a straight razor sharpening stone that has been designed specifically to bring life to your dull knives. It works wonderfully on all types of knives and chisels them to bring out a razor sharpness in them. The whetstone is made of professional-grade Aluminum Oxide, so there is no need to use any oil on it. All you need to do is soak it in water and it is ready to be used.
The dual grit sharpening block is designed in such a way that it keeps your blades sharp and well-maintained. It comes with a non-slip bamboo base, which is great for maintaining firmness and steadiness when you are sharpening the knives.
Key Features:
- Dual grit sharpening block that helps keep the blades sharp and well-maintained
- Works on all types of knives, including chef’s knife
- Made of professional-grade Aluminum Oxide
- Does not need any oil; it just needs water
- Comes with a non-slip bamboo base that prevents the block from slipping while you are working on it
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Minosharp Wheel Water Sharpener
The Minosharp wheel water sharpener is an excellent universal ceramic water sharpener that works magically in restoring the razor sharpness of your knives. Works for all types of knives, this sharpener features two sharpening wheels. The white wheel is rough and the pink wheel is medium coarse. You can use either of the wheels depending on the dullness of your knives.
Like many other Japanese knife sharpeners, this one comes with a water reservoir too. You need to fill it up with water before using it; it helps in smoothly sharpening your knives and bringing down the heat caused due to friction. The handle has been ergonomically designed and is great for gripping. It does not slip while being used.
Key Features:
- Ceramic water sharpener that restores the razor sharpness of the knives
- Features two color-coded sharpening wheels
- White sharpening wheel is rough and pink is medium coarse
- Comes with a water reservoir that needs to be filled before using
- Ergonomic and non-slip handle
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Kota Japan 12-inch Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener
This steel professional knife sharpener rod has been manufactured with state-of-the-art precision. It is an efficient sharpener that adds another life to the dull blades of your knife. The rod is intended to guarantee higher honing effectiveness. The ergonomic handle is designed for aesthetics and practicality. It also gives you a good grip while you are sharpening the knives.
Key Features:
- Manufactured with state-of-the-art precision
- Provides higher honing effectiveness
- Ergonomic handle for aesthetics and practicality
- Gives you a good grip while sharpening
Check out this best Japanese knife sharpener below!
Yoshihiro Professional Grade Toishi Whetstone Knife Sharpener
This is a whetstone coarseness honing stone with a 2.9-inch width to give you a more extensive surface territory to assist you with honing your blade all the more precisely. The 1000-grit functions admirably on dull and harmed blades. The stone is abrasive, which takes off a lot of material for refashioning a dull edge.
Key Features:
- Comes with a 2.9-inch width to give an extensive surface area
- Works admirably on dull and harmed blades
- Abrasive stone
Tips to using a Japanese knife sharpener
- Keep a steady movement. Do not work too fast as this can knock the sharpener over. Moving too slow can cause wounds.
- Avoid using too much force, which can make the sharp edge skip and chip the tool.
- Follow the instructions and practice on an old knife to understand how it works.
- Do not push or pull when sharpening a knife. Always follow the instructions when using a knife sharpener. It is essential to understand how the sharpener works. Generally, you push the cutting edge through the grating stones for the best outcomes.
Best Japnese Knife Sharpener: FAQs
Why do you need a Knife Sharpener?
Here are a few reasons why you may need to invest in a knife sharpener –
– Cutting with a dull blade is never fun. It also takes a lot of time and energy
– Sharpening knives yourself is much cheaper than getting it done professionally
– A razor-sharp knife will ensure highest productivity. You work faster in the kitchen with the least amount of wastage.
How often should I sharpen my knife?
Stainless steel blades require less sharpening and honing when contrasted with carbon steel blades. In the event that you routinely sharpen your cutting edges, you would just need to hone them 2-3 times in a year. Likewise, in the event that you keep your blades without rust, honing them once in a half year ought to be sufficient.
What degree do you need to sharpen a Japanese knife?
It’s always advisable to sharpen your knives in the Aisan style at 15 degrees unless it’s a heavy duty thick knife. Also, follow the instructions mentioned in the knife sharpener for the best results.
Do you sharpen both sides of a Japanese knife?
Japanese styled knives are sharpened on both sides, edges and the burr on the other side unlike western knives.
Do you push or pull when sharpening a knife?
You have to push the knife away from you from the top while sharpening the knife. Apply pressure from your fingers and pull it towards you and release the pressure to sharpen your knife.
The best knife sharpeners to bring back your dull knives to life!
These were some of the best knife sharpeners that work so well your knives will be enjoying a new razor-sharp blade. Get one of these Japanese knife sharpeners today and give a new sharpness to the dull blades.
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Erika is the main author of the website. She is obsessed with Japanese products and always looks for an opportunity to share her love for Japanese products with everybody around her! She combined her love for writing, research and testing products to create Best Japanese Products. When she’s not reviewing latest Japanese products, you’ll find her pampering her cats. Erika is the definition of ‘The Crazy Cat Lady’.