If you want an affordable yet high-quality set to start your sharpening journey, this one has all the essentials you need to cover the basics. The King #1000/#6000 combination stone is at the heart of our Beginner / Value Knife Sharpening set. Reliable, durable, and ideal for Japanese knives above 60 HRC, it delivers excellent cutting performance and long-lasting results.

Products included:

• King Sharpening Stone #1000/#6000 – Reliable combination whetstone for essential knife care. A great and affordable choice for novice and intermediate knife sharpeners.
• SharpEdge Leather Strop [1-sided] – Polishes the edge and removes burr.
• Knife Sharpening Guide Clip [large] – For standard knives like gyuto or santoku

The King #1000/#6000 combination stone is a great all-rounder for anyone getting into sharpening. The #1000 grit is the most common, general sharpening granulation (to put a new edge on a blunt knife), while #6000 grit is a finer granulation for an extremely sharp edge and the final polish of the blade.

King stones are kiln-baked, which makes them longer-lasting, though they require a bit more patience since they create less slurry than entry-level stones. It’s an affordable, reliable stone that’s easy to use and built to last.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Begin with the #1000 grit side of the King stone for general sharpening and to establish a new edge.
2. Move to the #6000 grit side for finer sharpening and final polishing of the blade.
3. Finish with the included leather strop to remove any remaining burr and achieve a smooth, razor-sharp edge.

Just got into sharpening? Don’t make these beginner mistakes: Don’t avoid using an angle guide clip. It’s not cheating, it’s practice. Once you get a feel for it and that muscle memory kicks in, you will find you can hold a consistent angle much easier on your own. Don’t start on the wrong whetstone. For damaged or extremely dull knives, start on a low grit (#800 or lower). For regular sharpening, you can’t go wrong with a #1000 or #2000. Anything higher will remove hardly any material - perfect for (already fairly) sharp knives and finishing touches! Don’t continue on the wrong whetstone. Many are quick to switch to high grit stones when their knife is not yet sharp. High grit stones can polish up the edge, but they are not going to make your knife much sharper if it has no sharpness to begin with.