King #800 Japanese Sharpening Stone

The 800 grit King whetstone is a sharpening stone that offers a medium level of abrasiveness. It is commonly used in the process of sharpening blades, knives, and other cutting tools. The term “800 grit” refers to the size of the abrasive particles embedded in the stone’s surface.

Key features:

  • Restore a dull edge to a sharp one and put a mirror polish on the back and bevel
  • An excellent way of owning two stones with different grits
  • Made up of abrasive particles held together in a soft bonding compound
  • Consists of aluminium oxide, carbide and nitride particles fused together
  • Soft bonding clay releases the abrasives very easily when the stone is soaked
  • #800 grit measures (L) 8″ x (W) 2 5/8″ x (H) 1 1/4″
  • Made in Japan
$55

In stock. Shipping within the next 24h.

Lifetime warranty

Made properly, and covered for life.

Free UK delivery

Included on every order over £90.

100-day returns

Live with it for three months. Send it back if it isn’t right.

Made by hand

In small workshops, by people we know.

Why this stone

The stone, and what it is for.

The King HT-65 PRO 1000/6000

The 800 grit King whetstone is a sharpening stone that offers a medium level of abrasiveness. It is commonly used in the process of sharpening blades, knives, and other cutting tools. The term “800 grit” refers to the size of the abrasive particles embedded in the stone’s surface.

With its medium grit, the 800 grit King whetstone is versatile and suitable for various sharpening tasks. It effectively removes moderate levels of material from the blade, helping to restore the cutting edge to its optimal sharpness. This grit level is often used after initial coarse sharpening to refine the edge further or as a starting point for moderately dull blades.

Using the 800 grit King whetstone involves wetting the stone with water and then running the blade across its surface at an appropriate angle, applying consistent pressure. The sharpening process gradually removes small amounts of metal from the blade, creating a new, sharper edge. It is important to maintain a steady and controlled motion while sharpening to ensure consistent results.

The 800 grit King whetstone provides a balance between material removal and edge refinement. It is an essential tool for individuals who regularly maintain their cutting tools and desire a sharp and efficient cutting edge. By regularly sharpening with this whetstone, you can extend the lifespan and performance of your blades, allowing for cleaner cuts and enhanced cutting precision.

Note that the 800 grit King whetstone is just one option among various grit levels available. Depending on the condition of the blade and the desired sharpness, you may need to use additional finer grit stones to achieve a polished and razor-sharp edge.

Japanese Whetstones

Unlike other synthetic sharpening stones which consist of a single abrading agent, these Japanese water stones consist of aluminium oxide, carbide and nitride particles fused together. This blend is then mixed with a clay like bonder and baked at high temperatures to form the sharpening stone. The resultant stone is soft but sharpens very quickly. The soft bonding clay allows the abrasive particles to release very easily when the stone is soaked in water. This gives the user a constant supply of fresh cutting surfaces with which to grind, sharpen and hone their tools.

Now favoured by many professionals and sporadic users over the natural stones, when you purchase a synthetic Japanese sharpening stone you are guaranteed a stone with a uniform grit size that will produce consistent, high quality results when sharpening and will not vary in quality from stone to stone.

Made in Japan

The stone

Specifications.

Weight0.4 kg
Dimensions5 × 8 × 20 cm
Maker

Matsunaga King

Who makes it

King. The stones Japanese chefs trust.

King has been making Japanese water stones since the 1940s. Their combination stones are what serious cooks and sushi chefs reach for when they want one stone that does everything — the grit is denser and faster-cutting than consumer-line stones, and it lasts noticeably longer.

This isn't a small-workshop relationship. King is a proper company with a long track record. We stock them because they are what a knife like ours actually needs.

A King water stone, in use — photo to come

Care, briefly

Stones don't need much. Three rules.

01.

Soak for fifteen minutes.

Before each sharpening, submerge the stone in water for fifteen minutes. Bubbles rise as it absorbs water — take it out when they stop.

02.

Use the base.

Always seat the stone in its base before sharpening. A slipping stone is the most common way home cooks cut themselves.

03.

Flatten it when it dishes.

After a year or two the surface dishes slightly. Flatten it with a flattening stone, or wet-and-dry paper on glass. Or send it back to us and we’ll do it — you cover shipping both ways.

What you receive

In the box.

  • The stone you chose, in its grit, ready to soak and use.
  • A non-slip base where the stone ships with one.
  • A care card with the soak, the base and the flattening note, and a link to Knife School.

Frequently asked.

Which grit do I actually need?
For a home cook, a 1000/6000 combination stone covers almost everything: 1000 to set the edge, 6000 to polish it. A coarse 800 is for repairing a chipped or very dull edge.
Do I really need to soak it for fifteen minutes?
Yes, for these stones. They're soaking stones — used dry they'll cut slowly and wear unevenly. Fifteen minutes, until the bubbles stop, every time.
How often should I flatten it?
Only when the surface visibly dishes — usually after a year or two of regular use. A dished stone sharpens unevenly, so it's worth doing when it happens.
Can I sharpen my Western knives on it too?
Yes. The same stone works on any kitchen knife. Western steel is softer, so it sharpens faster and you'll feel the difference quickly.
What if I can't learn the stone?
Send your knife back to us and we'll sharpen it for free, for life — you only cover shipping both ways. The stone is for those who'd rather do it themselves.

From the people who use it

Reviews.

Good quality sharpening stone that does what it promises. I use it to maintain my Japanese knives every few weeks. The grit is consistent and it doesn’t dish out too quickly. Solid purchase for the price.

Catherine P.
Verified

Excellent starter stone. The #800 grit is perfect for regular maintenance sharpening. Creates a nice slurry quickly and gives a consistent edge. Soaks in about 10 minutes and stays wet throughout the session.

Henrik V.
Verified

Goes with

What else completes the kit.