People think of whetstones as something that was only used in the old days, but the truth is that, even in modern times, a classic whetstone is one of the best and most effective methods of sharpening your knives and tools.
Anyone can benefit from having a whetstone, but you may not know what to look for in one, or how to choose the right one for you. Luckily, this post is here to help with that by walking you through a few things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a whetstone.
4 Necessary Things to Look for in a Whetstone
Quality
Of course, you need to get a whetstone that’s good quality. A good whetstone will last you multiple years, so since you won’t be spending a lot of money on this all the time, it’s worth investing in a decent whetstone.
While there are many whetstones on the market, not all of them are good quality, and whetstones that are sub-par could end up either damaging your tools or only lasting a few uses. If you want to make the most of your whetstone sharpening experience, we suggest opting for a whetstone from a reputable company.
Size
Next, you need to consider what size whetstone you will want. This doesn’t really make that much of a difference – after all, if a whetstone is of good quality, it will do its job regardless of its size.
That being said, you may have specific size requirements when it comes to your whetstone, and if that’s the case, you need to keep them in mind when shopping around. For example, if you have lots of big knives, a bigger whetstone may be best. And if you want to keep your whetstone in your toolbox along with your other tools for easy access, a smaller whetstone may be more suitable.
Price
Of course, whenever you are investing in a purchase, you need to consider the price. Whetstones range in price from very cheap to very expensive. While the biggest, fanciest whetstone likely won’t be necessary, you should also steer away from whetstones that seem impossibly cheap, as these likely won’t be the best quality.
We’d suggest sticking to a whetstone in the middle of the range – not too cheap nor too expensive, and not too fancy but also not poor quality. If you do find yourself longing for a more advanced whetstone, you can always add that to your gift registry.
Type
Finally, you need to think about what type of whetstone you may need. As mentioned, there are multiple types of whetstones, from basic ones to more complex ones that have a host of added features. Some people also like to have a fine whetstone to use after their normal whetstone.
Final Words
If you are just starting out, a basic whetstone is a good option. But if you are a professional, such as a chef who works with multiple knives, having multiple types of whetstones could come in handy. There are a few things every chef should have in their kitchen, and this includes a variety of whetstones.
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