Kerye Professional Japanese Whetstone Set Review

If you are looking for a best-in-class level of sharpness for your knives, a whetstone is the way to go. The Kerye Professional Japanese Whetstone Set is a multistage whetstone kit with four levels of grit to move through as you sharpen, and this kitchen tool gives you complete control over all aspects of knife sharpening. However, it also requires the user to have some knowledge of the right technique.

Performance Comparison

Sharpening Ability

Preferred by professional chefs, whetstones are known for turning out a sharp knife. The Kerye stands up to this claim in our testing, earning one of the highest scores in the group. It is a five-tiered sharpener that includes two separate corundum stones with two grit levels each and a final strop to polish. Working through the many stages takes a bit longer, but the results are worth it. We appreciate that Kerye goes the extra mile to include a leather strop for a final stage in the sharpening process. This additional step made a surprisingly tangible difference in our cuts later on, and a look under the microscope revealed a clean, polished edge.

After dulling a new knife by rolling a metal pipe over the blade's edge, we measured a sharpness of 861 g. After using the Kerye, the knife was restored back to factory-level sharpness, measuring 264 g of force required to cut through the same material. We measured a 16° bevel on the edge, and this is completely customizable if you have a steady hand. Later, in our paper-cutting test, the sharpened knife slid through the sheet like butter, making a clean cut without any rips or tears. One of our testers remarked that the knife felt even sharper than it did fresh out of the box.

Overall, the effectiveness of the Kerye Professional whetstone is hard to compete with. The thoroughness of the process is nearly unmatched among the sharpeners we tested, and the results speak for themselves.

Ease of Use

As much as we love the results we get from the Kerye whetstone, we have to admit that it is not the easiest sharpener to use. Any whetstone will have somewhat of a learning curve, and the Kerye is no exception. It scored below average in this metric, although it still performed better than other whetstone models thanks to the rigorousness of the process.

Note that when using this type of sharpener, you must always soak the stones for 10-20 minutes, depending on the grit. Additionally, whetstones require their own cleaning and care routine after use. So be prepared to put in the time necessary to keep your tools, both knife, and sharpener, in tip-top shape if you want them to last. Finally, despite claiming a non-slip base, we still had to put a wet rag down on the table so the stone wouldn't slide. However, this was a minor nuisance and well worth it for the added security.

Versatility

The simplicity of a whetstone also makes it very versatile, and the Kerye Professional earned one of the top scores in this metric. It has unlimited bevel angles, so you have complete freedom depending on the style of knife you are working with. If you need some guidance during the first rounds of sharpening, you may want to use an inclinometer to fine-tune your hand positioning. You cannot sharpen serrated knives with the Kerye, but you can bring any other straight blade to this stone, whether it is one-sided or two, and it can even sharpen scissors. Of the whetstones we tested, the Kerye is the most comprehensive. It is comprised of two separate stones with two grit levels each, offering a lineup of 400, 1000, 3000, and 8000, and comes with a leather stop to provide a final hone and polish to your blades.

We found the Kerye's ergonomics to be just average, but not necessarily because of a brand-specific design. Again, it just comes back to the refinement of the technique necessary to use a whetstone properly. You must maintain a consistent angle throughout your stroke to get a sharp blade, and without the benefit of edge guides, all the demand is on your hands and wrists. Because it takes so much more bodily precision than more automated models, you will want to find a comfortable position and make sure your elbows are free and clear before beginning the sharpening process. We think that over time, each person can find a comfortable rhythm that works for them.

Storage

Due to the extra grit levels, this setup requires two stones. Combined with the bamboo base and other accessories, the Kerye Professional takes up more storage space than other sharpeners. It scored below average in this metric, although it wasn't the worst in the group. At 3.9 lbs, it is one of the heaviest products in the group, although this sharpener is not meant to be portable, so don't let the weight deter you.

The stones and base can be separated depending on your available storage space. You can stake everything up into a tall and narrow tower, or you can lay the pieces side by side if you need to place them in a shallow drawer. However, breaking down the set does not make it more compact, you are still dealing with the same volume no matter what.

Should You Buy the Kerye Professional Japanese Whetstone Set?

If you have invested in high-quality kitchen knives and are quite particular about the sharpness and longevity of your blades, then a whetstone may be a good option for you. That said, the Kerye whetstone set is not a quick fix for a dull knife, and you cannot whip it out for 5 minutes and then get back to cooking dinner. We picture it as an ideal option if you're the kind of person who gets really into their niche hobbies (like knife sharpening). You should consider it only if you are someone who is willing to take the time to learn and master the technique and enjoy the process each time.

What Other Knife Sharpeners Should You Consider?

We tested other whetstones, but the Kerye is truly the one we recommend. If you want whetstone-level results but would like more guidance from the sharpener, then a manual swing arm sharpener like the Work Sharp Precision Adjust would be a good one to look at. It is hard to beat the price of the Kerye, but if you are on a tight budget and don't want to be bothered with technique, the Presto EverSharp is an electric pull-through sharpener that fits the bill.