You will need rough stones if the knife is too dull or rusty. This short video will walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of various sharpening stones so you can find the best stone … One thing to keep in mind with all sharpening stones is that the Japanese grit system is different from the American grit system. Water stones, oil stones, and diamond stones… So here’s how to choose a sharpening stone, Part 1 of 4: It may be confusing when trying to choose which sharpening stone system to use. So let’s try to clarify some of the confusion and simplify the process. Selecting the Right Sharpening Stone for Your Needs Selecting a sharpening stone can be difficult unless you understand the differences in stone materials. Similar to the other types of stones, diamond stones come in different grits. If yours don’t have a base, place the stone on a kitchen towel to hold it in place. It depends on the condition and quality of your knife. So when I talk about an 8,000-grit water stone, it’s different from a 1,200-grit diamond stone. If you’ve purchased a sharpening stone that comes with a base, you can use that to hold the stone in place. Choosing the right sharpening stone is very important. Holding the knife at the correct angle (20 degrees for Western knives), draw the knife across the stone …