ShaptonHa No Kuromaku Ceramic Whetstone (A-Set) Medium Grit (#1000) + Fine Grit (#5000)

Are you tired of using blunt knives all the time? These are exactly what you need. I’ve been using what you see chefs use on TV - the stick with a protective/protruding part to protect your thumbs and they scrape it up and down diagonally to sharpen. Those are for straightening the blade but don’t necessarily sharpen it. After looking up loads of reviews, these Shaptons came up tops.The 1000 grit is a coarse enough ceramic plate to take just the right amount of material that other “sharpeners” will take too much material off and the 5000 grit is to do the finishing which is really fine.Unlike a lot of cheaper options like the King ones, these have a great mini suction base for keeping them steady and a great storage case. Additionally, these are splash and go. Few splashes of water and you’re ready - no having to soak the block for 10-15minutes in water waiting for bubbles to appear like cheaper alternatives.Instructions come in Japanese so a quick load of YouTube shows you how to use these. You essentially glide the knife on the 1000 grit first (orange block) at 10-15 degrees scraping across the blade on one side then work on the other. You put pressure on the burr - not too much but enough to keep it steady. A minimum of 5-10 minutes is recommended with 15 minutes being the sweet spot depending on how dull and/or whether there are any chipped parts. Then you repeat on the finer grit (higher the number, the finer the grit so to speak). I would have gone for 8000 but honestly don’t think it’s needed.45 minutes later spent on 3 knives and I have 3 amazingly sharp knives. They’ve never felt so sharp since the day I bought them! The quick test is to peg a piece of paper in place and swipe down a bit like fruit ninja. If the blade slices through them with ease, you’re done!Absolutely fantastic review and came earlier than expected despite being shipped from Amazon in US and clearing customs (modest customs fee to be paid initially upfront via Amazon).Don’t regret buying these, fantastic purchase and should last a lifetime with proper case. Ensure the blocks are dry before storing in the case which also allows you to store the blocks on top for sharpening.

Great tool for sharpening, easy to use. Just few drops of water are needed. Very quick to remove material.The 1000grit stone is great. Its very quick to sharpen straight blades, sharpening curved blades require skill.The 5000grit stone requires great skill and steady hand to use effectively. If used properly gives you close to mirror finish on the blade.Still needs stropping to remove the burr and reach ultimate sharpness.