A whetstone gives you manual control over the blade path, while guided pull-through and electric sharpeners can use set angles; abrasive stages and compatibility vary by model. WÜSTHOF's hand-held tool uses separate coarse and fine slots, while its whetstone instructions use a water-based method. Choose by the knife maker's recommended method and the sharpener's compatibility.
Choose a sharpener that matches both your knife and the technique you are comfortable repeating. A whetstone requires manual angle control; a pull-through guides the blade through preset abrasives; an electric sharpener powers the stages. The correct choice depends on the blade geometry, the maker’s guidance and how much setup you want.
Compare the sharpening tools
| Tool | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Whetstone | Lets you guide the blade over an abrasive surface. Check whether the exact stone uses water, oil or dry operation, and whether you are comfortable maintaining a consistent angle. |
| Pull-through sharpener | Uses one or more guided slots. Check the included abrasive stages, the angle the tool is designed for and which knife geometries the maker supports. |
| Electric sharpener | Uses powered stages and a guided path. Check the manufacturer’s compatible blade list and directions for how many passes to make. |
WÜSTHOF says its hand-held and electric sharpeners use preset angles to guide the blade. Its hand-held guidance describes a coarse slot for dull edges and a fine slot for maintenance and polishing; its whetstone uses a manual water-based method. These details apply to the cited WÜSTHOF tools, not every sharpening product.
Match the tool to the knife
Before buying, identify whether the knife is double-bevel or single-bevel and check its manufacturer’s preferred edge angle and sharpening method. Shun, for example, recommends a pull-through model matched to its own knives. A sharpener sold for a different blade geometry may not be a good match.
If you choose a whetstone, read whether it must be soaked or only wetted and how the maker recommends cleaning it. If you choose a guided tool, follow its stage sequence and avoid unnecessary passes. For the difference between edge maintenance and reshaping, see how to sharpen kitchen knives. Our chef’s knife buying guide covers blade styles and care.
Official sources
Checked November 5, 2026.
- WÜSTHOF: How to sharpen WÜSTHOF knives
- WÜSTHOF: Hand-held knife sharpener
- Shun: Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Common questions
Is a whetstone better than a pull-through sharpener?
Neither is right for every knife or user. A whetstone gives you more control over the process and requires technique; a guided sharpener can simplify the path. Match the tool to the knife maker's recommendations.
Can I use any pull-through sharpener on a Japanese knife?
No. Sharpeners use model-specific angles and abrasives. Shun, for example, recommends a manual pull-through designed for its knives; check your own knife maker's instructions.
Do electric knife sharpeners remove metal?
Sharpening removes material from an edge, but the amount depends on the sharpener, stage and technique. Follow the tool maker's use instructions and avoid extra passes.
Do I still need to hone a knife after sharpening?
A honing tool and a sharpener serve different maintenance roles. See the honing section in our kitchen knife sharpening guide and follow the knife maker's care advice.