Comparison: Best Sharpener For Japanese Knives (Updated | Oct 22nd)
When it comes to maintaining the precision and longevity of Japanese knives, selecting the right sharpener is crucial. This guide offers a balanced comparison of top sharpeners designed to preserve the delicate bevels and high-carbon steel characteristic of these blades. Whether you prefer manual pull-through models, water stones, or electric options, we’ll highlight key features, durability, and ease of use to help you make an informed choice. Our focus is on quality, functionality, and value, ensuring your knives stay razor-sharp with minimal effort. Explore our recommendations to find the ideal fit for your culinary tools.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
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Best for premium build:
Matsato Knife Sharpener -
Best for best overall:
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Adjustable 5-Angle Knife Sharpener -
Best for best budget:
kai Seki Magoroku Diamond and Ceramic Sharpener (AP-0308) -
Best for complete kit:
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop -
Best for safety focus:
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide -
Best for professional stone:
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone -
Best for multi-slot sharpener:
ZWILLING Razor-Sharp 4-Stage Pull Through Knife Sharpener with Shear Sharpener -
Best for value set:
Whetstone 1000 6000 Grit Kitchen Knife Sharpening Stones 2 Side Water Wet Stone Sharpener Kit Japanese Wetstone Knives Sharpeners Waterstone Whet Stone Anti-slip Base Angle Guide User Guidebook -
Best for diamond rod:
Kota Japan 12 in. Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Rod | Kitchen -
Best for bonus sharpener:
Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block imarku G14 Japanese Knife Set Stainless Steel Kitchen 14pcs
Product Comparison: Best Sharpener For Japanese Knives
Premium build
Matsato Knife Sharpener, Kitchen & Pocket Knife Sharpener, Knives Blade Sharpening, Chef Knives & Scissors Sharpening, afilador de cuchillos 7.09" x 1.97"
Matsato
- Universal Knife Sharpener for Every Blade – Whether you need a kitchen knife sharpener, pocket knife sharpener, or chef knife sharpener, Matsato handles it all – from straight-edge blades to Japanese Steel Knife sharpener precision.
- Premium Carbonated Beech Wood Design – Crafted with natural carbonated beech wood and ceramic rods, this knife sharpner adds elegance to your kitchen, doubling as a sleek decor piece.
- Stable & Safe Sharpening Experience – Features a non-slip base and ergonomic grip, ensuring a comfortable and controlled sharpening process every time.
- Portable Blade Sharpener for On-the-Go Use – Compact ( 7.09" x 1.97” ) and stylish, it’s the ideal knife sharpener for pocket knives, great for camping, travel, or toolbox essentials.
- Afilador de Cuchillos Multifuncional – Este afilador de cuchillos manual es perfecto para todo tipo de hojas, incluyendo cuchillos de cocina y navajas de bolsillo. Ideal para mantener tus cuchillos siempre afilados con facilidad y seguridad.
Best overall
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Adjustable 5-Angle Knife Sharpener, 3-Stage Kitchen Knife Sharpeners For Kitchen Scissors And Knives, Professional Sharpening Tool With Angle-Lock Technology
MITSUMOTO SAKARI
- Japanese 5-Angle Adjustable Knife Sharpener: The Kitchen Knife Sharpeners features a precision guide rail and 3-level diamond, ceramic, and steel wheels for versatile sharpening. Its angle locking technology ensures precise, error-free sharpening, maintaining your tools' sharpness effortlessly
- Professional 3-Stage Knife Sharpener: The sharpener has 3 sharpening stages – coarse grinding for quick repair of the blade, fine grinding for fine adjustment, and polishing for a sharper and longer lasting blade. Allow you to choose the appropriate grinding stage based on the degree of tool wear
- Anti Slip Handle Sharpening Tool: The kitchen knife sharpener adopts a Japanese upgraded construction. The anti slip ergonomic handle makes your use more effortless and safe. Whether you are a professional chef or a family user, you can easily master and enjoy a smooth polishing experience
- Multifunctional Knife Sharpening Kit: A one-time cutting does not require any technical skills, just slide the blade over the guide groove. Whether it's a daily kitchen knife, a peeler, or a professional chef's knife or scissors, this sharpening tool can restore sharpness
- Knife Sharpeners Use Note: MITSUMOTO SAKARI products have passed strict quality audits. If you encounter any problems when using your chef's knife, please provide us with suggestions. Our service team will give you a satisfactory solution
Best budget
kai Seki Magoroku Diamond and Ceramic Sharpener (AP-0308), Black/White, 141 * 51 * 55 mm (Length X WidthX Height)
KAI
- You can easily rejuvenate the sharpness by using 3 types of whetstones (2 types of diamonds, ceramic), without having to adjust the angle yourself
- Compact size stores easily in sink drawers or under sink
- Size: 5.6 x 2.0 x 2.2 inches (14.1 x 5.1 x 5
- Weight: 3.6 oz (96 g)
- Materials: Main body: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, Transparent cover: AS (Acrylonitrile Styrene) resin, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, Elastomer resin, whetstone / Diamond whetstone / Ceramic whetstone / Country of Origin: Japan; This product is a double-edged product
Complete kit
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide
Intelitopia
- 【Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Kit】You don't need to be a Pro to sharpen your blades, all you need is the right tools & technique. All the sharpening tools you need are here, one affordable set for you: 400/1000 & 3000/8000 grit whetstone; Coarse flattening stone; Non-Slip Bamboo base; Knife sharpening angle guide; Leather strop, a simple instruction manual about how to use and what does every component do.
- 【Dual Sided Whetstone】Our wet stone is made of highly durable and professional-grade corundum which is aluminum oxide. 400/1000 grit whetstone to sharpen dull knives, 3000/8000 grit whetstone combination is designed to make your knives razor-sharp & provide extra fine finish/polish on your blades. Coarse flattening stone to keep your whetstone flat all the time. Using the leather strop made of genuine cowhide leather to polish knife and removing burr after sharpening.
- 【Multipurpose】Our professional-grade knife sharpener kit is highly durable & long-lasting. Please choose the appropriate grit stone according to your knife blade. Our whetstone sharpens any blade out there: any kitchen knife set, chef knife, steak knife, santoku knife, paring knife, sushi knife, cleaver knife, Henckels knives, kitchen knives, Japanese knife, butcher knife, paring knife, BBQ knife, Hunting Knife, Pocket Knife, Scissor, straight razors!
Safety focus
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
Sharp Pebble
- Premium Quality: Not all sharpening stones are created equal. We only import & source premium quality material for the manufacturing of our Whetstones. Our proprietary composition of Aluminum Oxide along with sharpening compounds provides you with a superior cutting performance
- Superior Bundle: Sharp Pebble knife sharpening kit comes with double-sided (#1000/ #6000) whetstone knife sharpener, a sturdy bamboo base for holding the stone, knife sharpening angle guide, a simple instruction manual & detailed ebook with lots of Tips & Tricks which will appeal at every skill level
- Safety: We understand the importance of safety when using sharpening stones for knives, your purchase comes with a rubber base for holding the stone inside a Non-Slip Bamboo base, this setup will ensure the wetstone is Fixed In One Place while sharpening. And knife sharpening angle guide allows you to maintain the Correct Angle and safely apply consistent pressure while sharpening the blade
- Easy To Use Whetstone: Our sharpening Water stone kit is extremely User Friendly & easy to assemble. Sharp Pebble whetstone uses Water for sharpening, so no need of expensive sharpening/honing oils and No Mess while sharpening & it can be easily cleaned using water
- Multipurpose Use: This whetstone 1000/6000 sharpener kit is highly durable & long-lasting. And it can sharpen any blade out there, be it any kitchen knife set, chef knife, steak knife, sontoku knife, paring knife, sushi knife, cleaver knife, kitchen knives, Japanese knife, butcher knife, paring knife, BBQ knife, Hunting Knife, Pocket Knife, Scissor, Chisel, Blade, Straight Razor, barber clippers & more. Get this simple yet unparalleled tool for home/professional chefs or as men's gifts
Professional stone
MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone, Professional Double-Sided Whetstone 1000/3000 Grit, Kitchen Knife Sharpener Stones with Non-Slip Wooden Seat
MITSUMOTO SAKARI
- HIGH QUALITY JAPANESE SHARPENING STONE: Professional sharpening stone made of durable white corundum. It consists of a wooden base with non-slip rubber strips. Sharpen your chef's knives by simply soaking the whetstone in water for 5 minutes
- DOUBLE-SIDED SHARPENING STONES: Whetstone knife sharpener comes with a double-sided (1000/3000 grit) multi-purpose restorative Japanese sharpening stone. Double sided whetstones repair dull, sharpen and polish chef's knives
- NON-SLIP WOODEN BASE: The Japanese Sharpening Stone is fixed to a non-slip wooden base with non-slip TPR rubber on the bottom of the holder. This ensures that a 15°-20° angle is maintained when sharpening
- MULTIPURPOSE SHARPENING STONE: Japanese sharpening stone is a key tool to keep your knives sharp and ensure precise cuts. With this practical kitchen companion, everyday cooking will be easy and convenient
- SHARPENING STONES PRODUCT USE NOTE: MITSUMOTO SAKARI products have passed strict quality audits. If you encounter any problems when using your whetstone, please provide us with suggestions. Our service team will give you a satisfactory solution
Multi-slot sharpener
ZWILLING Razor-Sharp 4-Stage Pull Through Knife Sharpener with Shear Sharpener, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery
ZWILLING
- BLADES COMPATIBILITY: 5-slot sharpener, ideal for Japanese and Western blades.
- SLOT FOR SCISSORS: Additional fifth slot for sharpening scissors.
- VERSATILE CERAMIC SHAPERNER: 2 ceramic grits per side – coarse and fine.
- EASY TO USE: Pull through sharpener with labeled slots.
- STABLE BOTTOM: Non-slip rubberized bottom for stability.
- SAFE FINGER-PROTECTIVE GRIP: Unique safety grip ensures fingers stay safely away from blade.
- FLEXIBLE HAND ORIENTATION: Suitable for both right- and left-handed use.
Value set
Whetstone 1000 6000 Grit Kitchen Knife Sharpening Stones 2 Side Water Wet Stone Sharpener Kit Japanese Wetstone Knives Sharpeners Waterstone Whet Stone Anti-slip Base Angle Guide User Guidebook
KEENBEST
- Universal use whetstone with 1000 and 6000 Grit, The 1000 Medium Grit side can help you to repair small gaps and consolidate the knife edges. The 6000 Fine Grit side can be used for honing, remove the burr, this definitely creates higher sharpness of your knives. Overall, this wet stone sharpening kit is perfect as daily kitchen knife sharpener
- Angle guide and anti-slip bamboo base is included in this sharpening stone set, they can give you a happy sharpening experience whether you were a beginner or a sharpening expert. The flattening stone is also useful in many ways, cleaning towel is a bonus, you will love it
- Professional user guidebook is provided within this product, it has detailed step by step manual for your references. It shall save you some time for research and learning on your own, learn how to use every sharpening tools and get better sharpening results
- Premium white corundum made knife sharpener stone, this material leads to fast sharpening efficiency and long use of the whetstone itself, you will feel and actually see that the stone is sharpening your knives, not the opposite. It can sharp all kinds of knives, including chef knives, Japanese knife and other kitchen use knives, outdoor knives also like hunting knife and pocket knife, scissor, chisel, blade, hatchets, axes, carving tools and gardening tools
- This is water wet stone, it works with water, no oil needed during sharpening. Simply soaking the stone into water for about 15 minutes and they are ready to go. You can keep adding water on it while sharpening, with water on the surface the lubricating effect of grinding can be high
Diamond rod
Kota Japan 12 in. Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Rod | Kitchen, Home or Hunting | Master Chef, Hunter or Home Gourmet Blade Sharpening Rod or Stick
Kota Japan
- ✔️ DIAMOND ELECTOPLATING: State-of-the-art manufacturing for precision Kitchen, Home or Hunting blade sharpening. Ensures efficient and sharp sharpening of dull knives and tools.
- ✔️ OVAL SHAPE: This knife sharpener rod is designed to ensure higher sharpening efficiency.
- ✔️ LIGHTER TOUCH: Requires much less force than most sharpening steel. 'Easy-does-it" leads to long lasting results..
- ✔️ ELEGANT DESIGN: A pleasing and attractive addition to any kitchen or work area,
- ✔️ UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME GUARANTEE | 100% TESTED | BUY WITH CONFIDENCE!! Visit KotaJapan to contact our friendly Customer Service in Sunny Arizona, or contact us through your Amazon order screen.
Bonus sharpener
Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block imarku G14 Japanese Knife Set Stainless Steel Kitchen 14pcs, Built-in Sharpener, Sharp Knives with Non-slip Ergonomic Handle – Dishwasher Safe, Home Essential Gifts
imarku
- Best Sharp Knife Set: This high-quality kitchen knife set will last a long time and remain non-stick and rust-resistant. Each knife of this high-carbon stainless steel cutlery set has been adjusted for optimum sharpness and is easy to resharpen using the built-in sharpener. Enjoy exceptional cutting performance for effortless slicing, dicing, and chopping in any food preparation process
- Comfortable Non-slip Handle: A sharp knife with fully forged construction provides balance and is easy to cut without effort. Ergonomic knife handle that perfectly fits any hand shape. Even if you use it long, your hand will not feel uncomfortable. The non-slip grooves at the end of the patented handle are the aesthetic finishing touch to the knife, improving safety while increasing friction, and making it ideal for families, chefs, and cooking enthusiasts
- All in One Value Knife Set: Premium knife set for kitchen with an exquisite gift box. 14 PCS knife set with block includes 8" chef knife, 8" Serrated bread knife, 8" slicing knife, 7" Santoku knife, 3.5"paring knife, 5" utility knife, 6 pcs 4.7" serrated steak knife, kitchen shears, hardwood knife block, and exclusive built-in Sharpener
- Dishwasher Safe: This chef knife set for the kitchen with block is dishwasher safe, but hand washing is better for longer sharpness and service life! Durable knife blocks can provide long-lasting storage for knives, perfect for storage after washing and drying, not taking up space. Enjoy the pleasure of cooking and then quickly restore your kitchen to a tidy state
- Trustworthy and Perfect Gifts: Designed in California, imarku focuses on developing high-quality knives and is dedicated to enhancing your cooking experience. Any questions our professional customer support is always here for you. Imarku kitchen knife set is strictly quality controlled and beautifully packaged, it is the perfect home decor gift and is also suitable for mothers Day gifts, fathers Day gifts, housewives, birthdays, housewarming gifts, and Christmas gifts
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
Which sharpener is best for beginners?
The ZWILLING Razor-Sharp 4-Stage Pull Through Sharpener offers an easy, user-friendly design.
What sharpener supports multiple angles?
The MITSUMOTO SAKARI 5-Angle Sharpener allows adjustable sharpening for different blade types.
Which option is ideal for precision sharpening?
The kai Seki Magoroku Diamond and Ceramic Sharpener provides fine control for detailed edges.
What whetstone set offers versatile grit options?
The Intelitopia Dual Grit Whetstone Set (400/1000) suits coarse to fine sharpening needs.
Which sharpener is designed for Japanese knives specifically?
The MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Knife Sharpening Stone is tailored for traditional Japanese blades.
What tool is best for quick touch-ups?
The Kota Japan Diamond Carbon Steel Rod provides fast, portable sharpening.
Which sharpener combines ease and professional results?
The Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone (1000/6000 grit) balances simplicity with high-quality edges.
Are there sharpeners suitable for both kitchen and pocket knives?
The Matsato Knife Sharpener works effectively for multiple knife types, including kitchen and pocket blades.
