Hobby or professional stones: Which is the right choice for you?

One of the key questions when choosing a sharpening stone is whether you need a hobby or professional stone. Both options have their specifics, advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your needs and frequency of use.

Hobby stones

Hobby stones are designed to enable simple knife sharpening at home. Although it is of high quality and reliable, there are certain characteristics that distinguish it from professional stones:

1. Slower steel processing:
   Hobby stones process steel somewhat more slowly compared to professional options. This means that it will take you longer to achieve the desired results. The materials used in its production are good, but not top quality, which explains the slower process.
2. Softer structure:
   As a rule, hobby stones are softer than professional stones, which requires more frequent leveling of the surface. In home conditions, where a large number of knives are not being sharpened, this is usually not a problem. However, if you were to use it extensively, straightening would become a frequent necessity.
3. Price and convenience:
   Hobby stones are more affordable and often come in the form of a double-sided slab - one side is rough and the other fine. In this way, you get two granulations for the same price , which makes it extremely attractive for home use. Given that household knives are not often sharpened, it is difficult to justify the investment in more expensive, professional stones.

Professional stones

Professional stones are intended for intensive and precise use, ideal for those who sharpen a large number of knives or work with hard steels.

1. Premium materials: Manufacturers from Japan use the highest quality raw materials such as special binders and abrasive grains of high hardness and precision. The manufacturing process involves strictly controlled conditions such as mold pressure and firing temperature, resulting in a superior product.
2. Efficiency: Professional stones quickly and easily process even the hardest steels. For example, with models like Naniwa Pro , Naniwa Diamond , Shapton , or Atoma , you can sharpen the finest blade and immediately switch to a regular knife bought at a flea market.
3. Hardness and durability:
   Professional stones are harder and often made with Splash&Go technology, which means that you don't need to immerse them in water before use - just wet them. The hardness also allows it to hold its shape longer, reducing the need for straightening and increasing durability.
4. Longevity:
   These stones can sharpen many more knives over their lifetime than hobby stones, making them cost-effective for professionals.

Why not use only professional stones?

 You must be asking yourself "then why aren't only stones like this produced when they are so good?" Although professional stones have numerous advantages, their production process is complex, requiring extensive scientific knowledge and technologically advanced equipment. These factors make it significantly more expensive, so it's not always cost-effective for occasional home use.

Who should use hobby and who should use professional stones?

• Hobby stones: Ideal for home use and occasional sharpening of a few knives. Perfect for those who want a sharp knife for meal preparation without the need for a large investment. Our recommendation for hobby stones is: King combo or Naniwa Standard.
• Professional stones: Intended for those who do intensive sharpening, such as professional chefs or service sharpeners. This tool enables quick, precise and efficient sharpening of a large number of knives. Our recommendation for professional stones is: Shapton , Naniwa Pro , Naniwa Diamond or Atoma

Ultimately, the choice depends on your needs. If you sharpen knives professionally or want the ultimate in precision, professional stones are the right choice. On the other hand, for home use hobby stones will more than satisfy your needs.

Why choose a Japanese stone instead of a European one?

When asked why to buy Japanese stone, although European ones are often more affordable, the answer is simple - quality.

Japanese stones cannot be compared to European stones in terms of performance. If you want to get the job done right, you also need the right equipment. For example, most Japanese knives, as well as those made of extremely hard steel (61+ HRC), simply cannot be sharpened well on European stones.

Japanese stone not only provides better results but also saves time. When all is said and done, one quality Japanese stone can be as effective as five European stones of the same grade. The difference in price is often negligible, especially when you consider the time savings and quality of sharpening you achieve by working on a Japanese stone.