Whetstone Holder

Introduction

The whetstone holder is used to securely fix and hold natural or synthetic abrasive bars for sharpening knives. These devices allow you to fix the whetstone and keep it in place during the process of restoring edge sharpness. These fixtures minimize the risk of blade damage and injuries during operation while preventing damage to abrasive stones. 

Manufacturers offer devices suitable for water stones with a length of 14 to 22 cm, regardless of thickness and width. They can be supplied with additional devices that help to make the best out of the sharpening process. 

Let us examine the abrasive stone holder more closely, determine which one is suitable for home use, and learn how to choose it when purchasing. 

Purpose of the stone holder

When you sharpen a kitchen, hunting, or any other knife on a water stone, you have to put a certain effort into leading the blade along the stone surface to remove blade material. This may result in the bench stone shifting on the table. 

Such casual movements lead to several issues:

• It gets more difficult for the master sharpener to maintain the desired sharpening angle. Stone movements can cause damage to the blade, which can sometimes be challenging to repair.
• Contact with the table surface could result in cracks and irregularities in the stone. This is especially dangerous for fine and extra fine stones designed for polishing. You will have to level the stone and remove the upper surface layer to restore it, which leads to severe wear of the stone. 
• Shifting of stones on the table could also cause the master to accidentally cut himself. 

The easiest way to fix a stone on the work surface is to put a rag or towel under it. But real lovers of sharp cooking tools and water stones use special holders for stones. 

Advantages of using a separate stone holder

Using a sharpening stone holding device gives you several advantages:

• Preservation of the condition and shape of the abrasive surface. The stone holder and/or backing plate prevent deformation of the stone. So you will not have to level it as often with other flattening tools before starting work. 
• Extending the service life of the sharpening tool. The use of abrasive holders reduces the wear of the stone. Thanks to this, the stone will last longer. And you will save funds instead of purchasing a new tool. 
• Collection of slurry and abrasive residue. Many holders come with special trays that allow you to conveniently collect water flowing from the surface, along with removed metal pieces. The use of such jigs allows you to keep your workplace tidy and facilitate cleaning. 
• Maintaining the sharpening angle of the blade. Some devices have additional accessories that make it easier to hold the blade while working at the desired angle.

Types of holders and design features

The support for the abrasive sharpening stone can have different shapes and sizes. The most functional is the universal holder, which can be adjusted for use with any bar. 

It consists of several parts:

• End face elements. They are made of plastic or other materials and have stops that hold the edges of the stone. When assembled, they clamp on the bar from two short sides and prevent it from falling out.
• An intermediate element. It is made of the same material as the end face pieces. It is placed in the middle of the stone and works as a backing: it is designed to avoid its breakage when strong pressure is exerted on its surface. 
• Longitudinal rods. They are round metal bars. They have stops on one side and threads and screws on the other. With their help, you can adjust the end face elements for a stronger fixation of the stone in the holder. 

These lengthwise parts can be made of steel with a chrome-plated layer for best corrosion protection. Manufacturers offer stainless steel models. 

Another option that you can find in stores is one in which both the end face and intermediate elements are mounted on a single rod. It is important to ensure that both ends of the stone are secured parallel to avoid misalignment. 

The holders may have a different shape:

• A tilted base for a water stone. The bar sits on its surface and is held in place due to its rough texture. The tilted design helps to remove metal particles and makes it easier to sharpen the blade. 

• A flat backing. The simplest option. It is a plate made of plastic or rubber that prevents the stone from sliding on the surface of the table and protects the abrasive from damage. 

• A sharpening pond. It is used together with the holder or independently to collect the slurry that flows off the water stone during sharpening. 

How to choose a holder for a sharpening bar

For convenient use of the backing or holder, it is necessary to choose the right model when purchasing. When selecting a fixture, it is important to consider the following factors:

1. Material.
   There are holders made of wood, but they are worse in withstanding prolonged and intensive use. Constant humidity leads to swelling and cracking of the wood. It is also not recommended to use fixtures made of carbon steel, which is prone to corrosion. The most suitable models are made of stainless steel, polymers, rubber, and plastic. 
2. The type and dimensions of the bar.
   Some holders are designed for only one type of sharpening stone — diamond, ceramic, natural or synthetic. However, most are designed to accommodate any stones. The only limitation is the maximum size and width. Make sure that the holder is compatible with your stone.
3. Ease of use.
   Personal preferences may vary, so it is challenging to offer universal advice on this factor. The most convenient holder is the one with screws, which firmly fixes the bar between the clamps. But some prefer ordinary rubber backings or ponds. 

How to use a sharpening stone holder

Before sharpening the blade, it is necessary to prepare the holder and the abrasive stone for use. To do this, you should follow these steps:

1. Soak the bar. It is best to immerse it in a water container before clamping it in the holder. For this, you can use a small container to prevent the negative effects of water on the metal and wooden parts of the device. 
2. Install the stone in the holder. You have to place it on the surface of the holder and fasten the screws. To keep the abrasive bar from breaking, avoid applying excessive pressure. Be sure to select the correct grit side (for two-sided models). Remember the rule: you have to start with the coarsest, gradually moving to the finest. 
3. Check the sharpening angle. It depends on the manufacturer, the purpose of the tool, and the country of origin. You can find out the angle of the edge on the website of the company that made the knife. 

After that, proceed to sharpen the knife in the usual manner. It is important to control the presence of the slurry on the surface of the water stone. You can place a pond or an additional towel under the holder to collect the excess. After completing the work, the stone and the holder should be cleaned of liquid and metal particles. 

Additional sharpening accessories

As an addition to the abrasive stone, you can buy a sink bridge. This type of holder is specifically designed to be installed in the kitchen sink. The stone is placed on it during the sharpening process. Thanks to this design, the slurry with metal particles flows down the sewer, and not onto the table or into an additional pond. This simplifies the disposal of abrasive particles. 

Using knife sharpeners

An easier way to restore the sharpness of the blade is to buy a TSPROF knife sharpener. These devices allow you to set and fix the desired sharpening angle and constantly monitor it, using stones with varying grit and made of various materials. The presence of a knife turning mechanism allows you to keep the knife in the same position after flipping it to sharpen the other side, which, in combination with the fixed angle, results in perfectly symmetrical and properly shaped bevels.

Using such knife sharpeners will speed up the work and make it safer. Even TSPROF standard kits allow you to sharpen the widest range of knives. 

Pioneer is the most lightweight and compact among the line of TSPROF sharpeners. It is a modular sharpening system that supports the usage of many different parts and accessories. Different clamps in your arsenal allow you to tailor the device to your purposes.

Conclusion

Sharpening stones and holders are essential for professional sharpeners and knife fans. Using them together offers convenience, precise processing, reduced material wear, and increased safety during sharpening. With various models of whetstone holders available, from simple rubber backings to complete tools with water ponds and stone fasteners, everyone can find the most suitable option for their needs. You should use them only after acquiring certain skills.