What Is a Water Stone?

A Water Stone is a sharpening stone that uses water as a cutting fluid to facilitate the sharpening process. These sharpening stones are made from a variety of abrasive materials such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide held together in a binder. Water Stones are designed to quickly remove metal efficiently while maintaining a consistent sharpening surface.

How Do Water Stones Work?

As you sharpen on a water stone, the surface wears, constantly exposing fresh abrasives. This allows the water stone to cut quickly and makes sharpening on a water stone a very consistent experience. Water makes sure the surface of the stone does not get clogged with swarf, the very fine metal shavings removed from the knife or tool being sharpened.

Some water stones benefit from creating slurry, a mixture of water and material worn away from the stone. A slurry can be created by just sharpening on the stone or by rubbing the surface of the water stone with a nagura stone. 

Why Choose a Water Stone?

Fast Cutting Action

Water Stones wear slightly as they are used, exposing fresh abrasive material that keeps the sharpening process efficient.

Superior Edge Finish

Water Stones are available in ultrafine grits that refine and polish edges to razor sharpness, making them ideal for everyone, from chefs to fine woodworkers.

Variety of Grits

Water Stones come in a huge range of grits, from very coarse for repairing damage to ultrafine for honing a mirror polish. You can check out our Sharpening Stone Grit Chart for the full range of grits available. 

Easy Maintenance

Water Stones can be easily cleaned with water and quickly resurfaced when they need flattening. If you want to learn more, you can read our article How To Flatten a Water Stone.

Long Lasting

Since Water Stones have abrasives embedded evenly throughout them, they will last for as long as the stone remains. With stones up to 2" thick available, that could represent over a lifetime's worth of sharpening! 

Types of Water Stones

Soaking vs. Splash-&-Go Stones

Soaking Stones: These work best when submerged in water until they are fully saturated.

Examples:

• Sharpening Supplies Water Stones
• Naniwa Standard Traditional Water Stones
• Suehiro Cerax Double-Sided Stones

Splash-&-Go Stones: Ready for use with just a splash of water on the stone surface.

Examples: 

• Naniwa Advanced Super Stones
• Shapton RockStar Stones
• Nano Hone Super Bite Stones
  

Best Water Stones to Buy

To get the best sharpening results, choosing a high quality Water Stone is crucial. Here are some top recommendations:

• Shapton Glass Stones – Splash and go stones with minimal wear.
• Naniwa Professional Stones – Known for fast cutting and smooth finish.
• Sharpening Supplies Water Stones – Affordable and available in a range of sizes.

Each of these stones are available in different grits, allowing you to create a sharpening progression tailored to your needs.

Ready to upgrade your sharpening setup? Browse our wide selection of Water Stones here and find the perfect one for your needs. If you need more help selecting the right Water Stone for your needs, you can contact our Sharpening Specialists who have experience sharpening with all the Water Stones we sell.