When we asked customers, “How do you usually sharpen your knives?”, we received the following responses.

- Sharpener: 60%

- Whetstone: 30%

- Never sharpened: 10%

Most people seem to use sharpeners.  

Sharpeners are convenient because they can temporarily improve sharpness quickly and easily.  

However, the sharpness is only temporary and cannot compare to whetstones.  

The sharpness also does not last long, so the knife quickly returns to its dull state.  

On the other hand, whetstones may seem a bit more troublesome to prepare, sharpen, and clean up.

However, the sharpness achieved with a whetstone is far superior to that of a sharpener, and it also has better durability.  

If we summarize the differences between a whetstone and a sharpener in a table, it would look something like this:  

By the way, a sharpener cannot restore the blade to its original sharpness.  

With a whetstone, it is relatively possible to restore the blade to its original sharpness.  

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is best to use them appropriately depending on the situation.