Japanese Beginner Sharpening Set | Naniwa 220/1000/3000

Naniwa Whetstone Set 220/1000/3000

If you want to get into sharpening properly without spending big money on a premium setup, this is where I’d start.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with sharpening is buying a single combination stone and expecting it to do everything. In reality, sharpening works best when you have:

• A coarse stone for repairs and very dull knives
• A medium stone for creating the edge
• A finer stone for refining and finishing

This set gives you all three.

Everything needed to start sharpening properly!

Why this works

• 220 grit → repairs chips and restores dull edges
• 1000 grit → the main sharpening stone
• 3000 grit → refines and finishes the edge
• Includes storage case and sharpening base
• Great beginner-friendly setup
• Better value than most combo stones

Real use

A 1000 grit stone alone is fine if your knives are already sharp.

The problem is most people start sharpening on old, blunt kitchen knives. That’s where the 220 grit stone becomes important—it saves you a huge amount of time and frustration by helping you establish an edge properly.

Once the edge is formed, the 1000 grit does the main sharpening work and the 3000 grit refines it into a much cleaner, smoother edge.

This is the kind of setup that actually teaches people how sharpening works properly.

Who it’s for

• First-time sharpeners
• Home cooks learning whetstone sharpening
• People restoring old blunt knives
• Anyone wanting a practical starter setup
• Cooks who don’t want to jump straight into a premium Shapton setup

Leigh’s 2 cents

This is the budget sharpening setup I wish existed years ago.
The main thing I wanted was a proper coarse stone included. Most beginner sets skip this completely, which makes learning sharpening far harder than it needs to be.

This gives you the bare minimum you actually need to sharpen properly without spending huge money upfront.

If you end up loving sharpening later, then step into the Shapton range. But for getting started, this is a really solid setup.

Important!

All whetstones wear unevenly over time and need flattening regularly.

I strongly recommend adding a flattening stone/lapping plate alongside this setup.
Flat stone = good.

If your new to sharpening I highly recommend getting a Tojiro Sharpening Guide.

What’s Included

• Naniwa 220 grit whetstone
• Naniwa 1000 grit whetstone
• Naniwa 3000 grit whetstone
• Storage case / sharpening stand

*The protective case only fits 2 stones and not 3!
Although all made by Naniwa and intended to be used together, it is not sold as a set.
The set is made by The Blade Runner.

Although the included stand works well, I still recommend using a proper sharpening station or sink bridge for the best experience. 

Who should buy Shapton instead?

Buy this if: 

• first sharpening setup
• learning sharpening
• restoring old knives
• want value

Step up to Shapton if:

• sharpening regularly
• professional kitchen
• want faster cutting stones

Care instructions:

Soaking Time: about 15mins
Dry after use.
Store in a cool, dry place out of the sun.
Flatten regularly to avoid the stone becoming uneven.

Specifications

Dimensions:
Length: 185mm
Height: 14mm
Width: 65mm
Weight: 1340g

Hi, my name is Leigh, and I’m a chef from Newcastle, Australia.

I’ve been cooking professionally for over 20 years in some of Australia’s top restaurants, and I’m currently cooking at The Signal Box in Newcastle.

Over the years (since 2018), I’ve put together a small collection of high-quality Japanese knives and whetstones that I personally recommend. Basically, if I wouldn’t use it in a professional kitchen, I don’t sell it. Read More