Ditch Metal Files: This Amazon Find Has Everything You Need To Sharpen Your Knives

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Many people sharpen their knives using metal files. The problem, however, with metal files is that they sharpen the knives by grinding away the metal very quickly and do not produce a refined, polished edge. That is where grit whetstones come in. Instead of removing the metal quickly, they gradually restore the blade's edge in stages, which helps you achieve a cleaner and sharper edge on your knife. Grit whetstones are easily available, too, and if you are looking for one, the Intelitopia grit whetstone kit available on Amazon is definitely worth a look.

The kit includes two double-sided aluminum-oxide sharpening stones. One has 400- and 1,000-grit surfaces for shaping and sharpening the knife, while the other has 3,000- and 8,000-grit surfaces that can help hone the edge and give it a polished finish once it is sharp. Buyers also get a 150-grit and 320-grit flattening stone in the kit along with a bamboo holder, three nonslip rubber bases, an angle guide, a leather strop, and an instruction manual. It is not a massive kit, though! The whole thing measures only 9 inches by 8 inches by 3 inches, and you can easily store it in your home.

Buyers seem to like it as well. The reviews on Amazon consistently mention that the stones sharpen the knives properly and are good value for money, too. Just keep in mind that there is a learning curve to using grit whetstones. Now, this can be a problem, especially for beginners, and it might be helpful to look into whetstone alternatives you can use to sharpen knives before you purchase this kit. Also, note that whetstones are not ideal if you want to sharpen a serrated knife. 

If you want to sharpen dull kitchen knives perfectly, you must know how to use the Intelitopia grit whetstone kit properly. For instance, you need to start with the lowest grit level. In this case, that is the 400-grit side of the first stone. It is the most aggressive surface in the kit, and it is designed to deal with badly dulled blades as well as chips and small nicks. If, however, you have a knife that has only lost its working edge, it is probably best to start with the 1000-grit side of the first stone, which will help sharpen the knife without removing much metal.

Nevertheless, once the knife is sharp, you can use the 3,000- and 8,000-grit surfaces to refine and polish the blade. Use the 3,000-grit surface first to smooth out the micro-scratches left by the lower grits and then use the 8,000-grit surface to achieve a nearly mirror-like finish. You are not done yet, though! Once you have used all the grit surfaces, you should also use the leather strop included in the kit to remove any fine metal burrs still clinging to the edge of the knife.

Also, use the angle guide included in the Intelitopia grit whetstone kit. This is especially important if you are a beginner because otherwise you might not be able to maintain the sharpening angle, which will result in an uneven bevel that will not be as durable and sharp. Lastly, don't ignore the flattening stone. The grit whetstones change shape as they are used, which reduces their effectiveness, and the flattening stone is there to help keep their working surface level and maintained.