Shun Sharpening System

The bamboo stand is designed to hold the whetstone at a fixed, optimal angle. This removes the need to manually maintain a consistent angle while sharpening, making it much easier for beginners to achieve professional results without guesswork.

The 1000-grit side is for sharpening, which removes metal to repair dull edges or nicks. The 6000-grit side is for polishing, which refines the edge to a razor-sharp finish.

No, the honing steel is for regular maintenance between major sharpening sessions. It helps realign the edge of your blade to keep it cutting smoothly, while the whetstone is reserved for when the knife actually becomes dull.

Yes, this system is compatible with most standard kitchen knives. However, it is specifically optimized for the edge geometry of Japanese-style cutlery, which typically requires a shallower sharpening angle than Western-style blades.

Yes, like most whetstones, this stone needs to be submerged in water for about 10 to 15 minutes before you begin. This ensures the stone is properly lubricated, which prevents the blade from overheating and helps clear away metal filings during the sharpening process.