King #800 Japanese Sharpening Stone

Here’s your intuitive guide to knowing when it’s time to sharpen your knives. While we recommend monthly maintenance sessions with the King HT-65 PRO for home cooks and weekly touch-ups for professionals, your knife will tell you when it needs attention through these simple tests:

The Tomato Test (The Ultimate Challenge): A sharp knife should effortlessly slice through a tomato’s skin with minimal pressure. If your knife requires a sawing motion or squishes the tomato instead of creating clean cuts, it’s time for a sharpening session. Think of how a sharp knife should part a tomato’s skin like silk beneath scissors.

The Paper Test (The Classic Check): Hold a sheet of paper vertically and try to slice through it. A properly sharpened knife should cut cleanly without tearing or catching. This test reveals both sharpness and any inconsistencies along the blade’s edge – it’s like reading your knife’s story through paper.

The Fingernail Test (The Professional’s Method): Gently rest the edge of your blade against your fingernail (no pressure or sliding). A sharp knife should “stick” slightly instead of sliding off. If it skates across without catching, your edge needs attention. (Always exercise extreme caution with this test.)

The Plate Test (The Sound Method): Carefully drag the blade’s edge across a ceramic plate at a 45-degree angle. Listen for a clean, continuous “singing” sound. If you hear a scratchy or inconsistent noise, your edge might have micro-damages needing attention on the King HT-65 PRO’s 1000 grit side before finishing on the 6000.

Regular Maintenance Schedule:

• Daily use (home cook): Monthly sharpening
• Professional use: Weekly touch-ups
• Light use: Every 2-3 months
• After cutting hard ingredients (squash, frozen foods): Check edge condition

Remember, maintaining your knife is like tending to a valued relationship – regular attention prevents problems and keeps things running smoothly. A quick 5-10 minute session with your King HT-65 PRO’s 1000 grit side, followed by refined polishing on the 6000 grit surface, keeps your blade in perfect condition for creating those memorable cooking experiences.

Pro tip: Mark your calendar for regular “sharpening dates” with your knives. Like any meaningful ritual, consistent knife care becomes a meditative practice that enhances your overall cooking experience and preserves your knife’s legacy for years to come.

Yes, your sharpening stone needs proper preparation to perform at its best. With our King HT-65 PRO, we recommend a 10-15 minute soak in clean water before use. You’ll know it’s ready when no more air bubbles rise to the surface – similar to how a good recipe requires proper preparation of ingredients.

During use, keep a spray bottle of water handy to maintain proper lubrication. Think of it as maintaining the perfect consistency in your favorite sauce – too dry and it won’t flow smoothly, too wet and you lose control. The stone should feel slick but not swimming in water.

After use, let your stone dry naturally in a well-ventilated area. Never store it soaking wet, as this can affect its performance over time.

Japanese whetstones, like our King HT-65 PRO, are crafted from carefully selected abrasive particles bonded together to create a surface that gradually wears away, continuously exposing fresh cutting particles. This makes them incredibly effective at creating and maintaining razor-sharp edges.

Ceramic stones, while durable, don’t offer the same level of precision or feedback. The King HT-65 PRO’s whetstone composition allows you to feel the blade’s interaction with the stone, helping you maintain the correct angle and pressure – it’s like having a conversation with your tools.

Our exclusive stone offers the best of traditional Japanese craftsmanship combined with modern innovation. It’s dense enough to maintain its flatness longer than standard stones, yet soft enough to release fresh abrasive particles when needed, ensuring consistent performance over time.

Maintaining your stone’s flatness is crucial for achieving consistent results. Our stones are designed to resist dishing (developing a curved surface) better than standard stones, but regular maintenance is still important.

After every few sharpening sessions, check your stone’s surface with a straightedge. If you notice any dips or valleys, it’s time for flattening. We recommend using a dedicated diamond flattening plate or nagura stone to restore the surface.

Think of it as maintaining your cutting board – regular care ensures years of reliable service. Clean your stone after each use, allow it to dry completely, and store it in a dry place. With proper care, your stone will be your trusted sharpening companion for years to come, helping you maintain the edge on your favourite Oishya knives.