Gear guide
Best Diamond Sharpening Stones and Plates for Knives
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
A diamond plate is the sharpening stone for anyone who does not want to soak or flatten: it is used dry or with water and it stays flat. What differs between plates is the grit pair, whether the listing backs the grit with a micron size, the plate size, the type of diamond, and what holds the plate still. For knives, buy the sharpening grit first: about 25 down to 9 micron, which these listings label 600 to 1200. A coarse side of about 45 micron (325) is for chips and for changing the angle, so a double-sided coarse and extra-fine plate covers both jobs in one purchase. Grit numbers are not one scale: 1200 is 12 micron on one plate here and 9 micron on another, so compare microns where they are printed. An 8 x 3 inch plate gives a long kitchen knife room to travel. Monocrystalline diamond is named in four of these listings; none says polycrystalline, and the rest say only diamond. This guide compares seven diamond sharpening stones and sets. Everything comes from the listings; nothing here was tested.
Compare the picks
| Pick | Grit | Micron | Plate size | Base or case | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SHARPAL 162N diamond stone 325/1200, 8 x 3 in | 325 / 1200 grit | 45 / 12 | 8 x 3 in | Storage box, non-slip pad | - | Amazon |
 SHARPAL 168H diamond stone 325/1000, 8 x 3 in | 325 / 1000 grit | 45 / 15 | 8 x 3 in (201 x 75 mm) | not stated | - | Amazon |
 DMT Deluxe 3-stone diamond whetstone kit, wood box | 325 / 600 / 1200 mesh | 45 / 25 / 9 | not stated | Wood box | - | Amazon |
 KITANIS diamond stone 400/1200 with case, 7 x 3.5 in | 400 / 1200 grit | not stated | 7 x 3.5 in | Case, non-slip pad | - | Amazon |
 Ultra Sharp diamond stone set 300/600/1200, 8 x 3 in | 300 / 600 / 1200 grit | not stated | 8 x 3 in each | Stone holder | - | Amazon |
 S SATC diamond plate 400/1000, 8 inch | 400 / 1000 grit | not stated | 8 in long | not stated | - | Amazon |
 Grindance 3-sided stone 400/1000/8000 with base | 400 / 1000 / 8000 | not stated | not stated | Plastic non-slip base | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
If you just want one
- Closest match for the jobSHARPAL 162N diamond stone 325/1200, 8 x 3 inBoth sides carry a micron size: coarse 325 grit is 45 micron, extra fine 1200 grit is 12 micron.
- Most for the money on paperKITANIS diamond stone 400/1200 with case, 7 x 3.5 inCoarse 400 and extra fine 1200 grit on one plate, with a honeycomb surface that the listing says keeps grinding dust out of the way.
- Most complete listingDMT Deluxe 3-stone diamond whetstone kit, wood boxEach stone is color coded and sized in microns: coarse 45, fine 25 and extra-fine 9.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · SHARPAL
SHARPAL 162N diamond stone 325/1200, 8 x 3 in
See price on AmazonA double-sided 8 x 3 inch plate: coarse 325 grit (45 micron) and extra fine 1200 grit (12 micron) monocrystalline diamond on a 0.35 inch stainless steel base. The storage box doubles as a stone base.
What the listing offers
- Both sides carry a micron size: coarse 325 grit is 45 micron, extra fine 1200 grit is 12 micron.
- Monocrystalline diamond electroplated on a stainless steel base 0.35 inch thick; the listing says to sharpen dry.
- The storage box with a non-slip rubber pad works as the base, and an angle guide for 14, 17, 20 and 25 degrees is included.
Limits to know
- Nothing finer than the 1200 grit (12 micron) side: polishing beyond that needs a strop or a finer stone.
- The angle guide offers four fixed angles only, and the listing gives no weight for the plate.
Pick 2 · SHARPAL
SHARPAL 168H diamond stone 325/1000, 8 x 3 in
See price on AmazonAn 8 x 3 inch double-sided plate with coarse 325 grit (45 micron) and extra-fine 1000 grit (15 micron) monocrystalline diamond. The listing mentions no box, base or angle guide.
What the listing offers
- Micron sizes are stated for both sides: 325 grit is 45 micron and 1000 grit is 15 micron.
- 8 x 3 inch (201 x 75 mm) surface, which the listing says supports larger tools and better angle control.
- Monocrystalline diamond; the listing says the plate stays flat, needs no lapping and works dry.
Limits to know
- No storage box, base or non-slip pad is mentioned in the listing.
- The plate thickness and weight are not stated in the listing.
Pick 3 · DMT (Diamond Machining Technology)
DMT Deluxe 3-stone diamond whetstone kit, wood box
See price on AmazonThree separate DMT diamond whetstones in a wood box: blue coarse (45 micron / 325 mesh), red fine (25 micron / 600 mesh) and green extra-fine (9 micron / 1200 mesh). A three-step progression with every size printed.
What the listing offers
- Each stone is color coded and sized in microns: coarse 45, fine 25 and extra-fine 9.
- Micronized monocrystalline diamond, and the listing says the stones are made in the USA.
- Three stones housed in a wood box, covering restoring, honing and refining an edge.
Limits to know
- The listing bullets do not state the length or width of the stones.
- Three single-grit stones take more room than one double-sided plate, and no non-slip base or holder is mentioned.
Pick 4 · KITANIS
KITANIS diamond stone 400/1200 with case, 7 x 3.5 in
See price on AmazonA double-sided honeycomb diamond plate, coarse 400 and extra fine 1200 grit, sold with a storage case, dust cover, non-slip rubber pad and an angle guide. The title gives 7 x 3.5 inches.
What the listing offers
- Coarse 400 and extra fine 1200 grit on one plate, with a honeycomb surface that the listing says keeps grinding dust out of the way.
- Comes with a storage case, dust cover and non-slip rubber pad, plus a sharpening angle guide.
- The listing says it can be used dry, without oil or water, and should be kept dry after use to prevent rust.
Limits to know
- No micron sizes, and the listing does not state the type of diamond used.
- The title's 7 x 3.5 inches is not split into plate and case, so the abrasive area is unclear; the listing warns about rust.
Pick 5 · Ultrasharp
Ultra Sharp diamond stone set 300/600/1200, 8 x 3 in
See price on AmazonThree 8 x 3 inch diamond stones in 300, 600 and 1200 grit with a stone holder that takes stones 6 to 9 inches long. Each stone weighs 2.2 pounds, per the listing.
What the listing offers
- Three full-size 8 x 3 inch stones in 300, 600 and 1200 grit.
- A stone holder is included; the listing says it holds stones from 6 to 9 inches long.
- Each stone weighs 2.2 pounds, and the listing names ceramic knives among what it sharpens.
Limits to know
- No micron sizes are given, so the grit numbers cannot be checked against other makers.
- The listing does not say whether the diamond is monocrystalline or polycrystalline, and no storage case is mentioned.
Pick 6 · S SATC
S SATC diamond plate 400/1000, 8 inch
See price on AmazonA double-sided 8 inch diamond plate, 400 grit on one side and 1000 on the other, on a machined steel plate electroplated with monocrystalline diamond. A plain plate with no base in the listing.
What the listing offers
- Two grits on one plate: 400 for coarse work and 1000 for fine work.
- Steel plate machined and electroplated with monocrystalline diamond, per the listing.
- The listing notes that diamond plates do not crater and do not need to be flattened.
Limits to know
- No micron sizes, and the width and thickness of the plate are not stated.
- No base, case or non-slip pad is mentioned; the uses named are straight edged tools such as chisels and planer blades.
Pick 7 · grindance
Grindance 3-sided stone 400/1000/8000 with base
See price on AmazonA three-sided block on a plastic base: 400 and 1000 grit diamond sides plus an 8000 grit ceramic side for polishing. The kit adds a 14/17/20 degree angle guide, a leather strop and a cut-resistant glove.
What the listing offers
- Three surfaces in one tool: #400 diamond, #1000 diamond and #8000 ceramic.
- Plastic base with anti-slip pads holds the stone on a countertop or workbench.
- Kit includes a 3-in-1 angle guide (14, 17 and 20 degrees), a leather strop and a cut-resistant glove.
Limits to know
- The 8000 side is ceramic, not diamond, so only two of the three sides are diamond.
- No stone dimensions, micron sizes or diamond type are stated; the listing only calls it compact.
Read before you buy
- Whetstone vs Diamond Stone for Knife SharpeningWhetstone vs diamond stone compared on speed, soaking, flattening, finish and wear, with a first-stone pick by case. Starts at 1000 grit.
- Sharpening Stone: Oil or Water?Tell an oil stone from a water stone with a few drops of water, see which liquid each of 4 stone types takes, and what to do with a stone already oiled.
- Sharpening Stone Grit Chart: Whetstone, Diamond and Oil Stone GritsPrintable grit chart: Japanese (JIS) water stone grits 240 to 8000 in microns, beside DMT diamond mesh and colors and Arkansas oil stone grades.
- Best Sharpening Angle for a Pocket KnifePocket knives sharpen at 15 to 22 degrees per side, hunting knives at 20 to 25. Ranges by use, plus what Victorinox, Benchmade and Kershaw state.
- How to Flatten a Sharpening Stone: 3 Methods and When to Do ItFlatten a dished whetstone with a pencil grid and one of 3 tools: a flattening stone, a diamond lapping plate or 220 grit wet/dry sandpaper on glass.
More gear for the choose your stones stage
Stone and Strop chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.