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DMT 8 in Dia-Sharp Double-Sided Bench Stone (D8E/F) vs SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone 8 x 3 in
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Whetstones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The DMT gives you a fine and an extra-fine diamond surface on one plate that will not dish, which removes the single biggest failure point in home sharpening. The SHARPAL 162N covers the same ground with a coarser grit pair and throws in a base and an angle guide, which makes it the better first stone if you are starting from dull.
DMT 8 in Dia-Sharp Double-Sided Bench Stone (D8E/F)
Buy itA double-sided diamond plate that sharpens wet or dry, needs no flattening, and is labelled in microns so you can actually compare it to something.
- DMT labels each side in microns as well as mesh: fine is 25 micron (600 mesh), extra-fine is 9 micron (1200 mesh).
- Continuous monocrystalline diamond surface that DMT guarantees not to hollow or groove, so there is no lapping plate to buy.
- Works dry or with water, with no oil and no soaking wait before you start.
- It is the most expensive stone here by a wide margin.
- 9 micron extra-fine is a working edge, not a mirror polish, so it will not match a fine waterstone for finish.
- Neither side is coarse enough to reset a badly chipped edge quickly.
SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone 8 x 3 in
Buy itA wide 8 by 3 inch diamond plate with a coarse and an extra-fine side, a storage box that works as a non-slip base, and an angle guide included.
- Both grits are published with micron sizes: coarse 325 grit is 45 micron, extra fine 1200 grit is 12 micron.
- Full 8 by 3 inch (203 by 76 mm) face, wide enough to keep a broad chef's knife on the stone through the whole stroke.
- SHARPAL specifies flatness of plus or minus 0.002 in (0.05 mm) and says water or oil is not required.
- The coarse side at 45 micron is aggressive for a kitchen knife and will leave a toothy edge if you stop there.
- 12 micron is the finest grit on the plate, so a mirror finish means buying a separate finishing stone.
- SHARPAL recommends dry sharpening and warns that metal filings left on the surface can oxidise and look like rust.
Side by side
| DMT 8 in Dia-Sharp Double-Sided Bench Stone (D8E/F) | SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone 8 x 3 in | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Someone who wants to buy one plate, keep it in a drawer for a decade, and never think about stone maintenance. | A first serious sharpener for someone with a drawer of genuinely dull knives who wants the base and angle guide in the box. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the DMT 8 in Dia-Sharp Double-Sided Bench Stone (D8E/F) - A double-sided diamond plate that sharpens wet or dry, needs no flattening, and is labelled in microns so you can actually compare it to something. Choose the SHARPAL 162N Dual-Grit Diamond Whetstone 8 x 3 in instead if a first serious sharpener for someone with a drawer of genuinely dull knives who wants the base and angle guide in the box.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Whetstones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).