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SHARPAL 162N Double-sided Diamond Sharpening Stone

SHARPAL 162N Double-sided Diamond Sharpening Stone

By SHARPAL · Knife Sharpening · Kitchen & Cooking · More from SHARPAL

  • 8 x 3 in (203 x 76 mm) dual-sided stone
  • Coarse 325 grit (45 micron) / Extra fine 1200 grit (12 micron)
  • Monocrystalline diamond electroplated on stainless steel
  • MirrorFlat flatness +/- 0.002 in (0.05 mm)
  • Angle guide 14/17/20/25 degrees

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Summary

A dual-grit diamond sharpening stone for anyone who wants a no-soak, never-dishes first stone. Use light pressure: heavy pressure wears the electroplated diamond coating.

Strengths

  • Cuts fast on the 325 side and leaves a refined edge on the 1200 side.
  • Never dishes, so it needs no flattening or periodic lapping.
  • Sharpens dry with no soaking, water or oil.
  • Large 8 × 3 in surface handles bigger blades.
  • Included storage case doubles as a non-slip base, and the Angle Pyramid guide covers 14, 17, 20 and 25 degrees.
  • Owners recommend it as a first stone for learning freehand sharpening.

Weaknesses

  • Heavy pressure wears the electroplated diamond coating; one owner wore the coarse side dull after about 20 knives.
  • The jump from 325 to 1200 grit is large, so refining an edge takes time.
  • Freehand sharpening still takes skill; the angle guide helps but does not remove practice.
  • Diamond can be too aggressive on very hard, brittle Japanese steels below 60 HRC if used carelessly.
  • The finish is less refined than a dedicated ceramic finishing stone.

Verified specifications

Model162N.
Stone dimensions8 × 3 in (203 × 76 mm).
Gritscoarse 325 grit (45 micron) and extra fine 1200 grit (12 micron).
Abrasivemonocrystalline diamond electroplated in nickel onto a stainless-steel base.
Flatness+/-0.002 in (0.05 mm), SHARPAL’s MirrorFlat process.
Angle guideAngle Pyramid with four fixed reference angles — 14, 17, 20 and 25 degrees.
Storagebox with a non-slip rubber pad that doubles as the sharpening base.
Lubricantsharpen dry; no water or oil required.
Overall product8.46 × 3.82 × 1.93 in (21.5 × 9.7 × 4.9 cm); 3.04 lb (1.38 kg).
In the boxstone, storage box/base, Angle Pyramid guide, instruction manual.
Warranty3 years.
Full research notes and sources

How it sharpens

The 162N uses industrial monocrystalline diamond electroplated in nickel onto a stainless-steel base. The coarse 325 grit side (45 micron) sets the edge and removes damage quickly; the extra fine 1200 grit side (12 micron) refines the finish. SHARPAL rates flatness at +/-0.002 in (0.05 mm) with its MirrorFlat process, and the plate is built to stay flat without lapping.

TheSharpKitchen’s 2026 whetstone guide picks it as its best diamond plate with no soaking, noting instant readiness, flat retention and durability, while warning that the finish is less refined than a dedicated ceramic finishing stone.

Coating wear and pressure

The main caution is the coating. A BladeForums owner wore the coarse side completely dull after about 20 knives and the fine side was almost gone; SHARPAL customer support sent a replacement free of charge. Forum guidance is that heavy pressure strips the diamond plating, while light pressure plus lubrication — even soapy water — prolongs life. These are owner reports, not a measured failure rate.

A Reddit owner had trouble getting a clean paper-cutting edge, but responders put that down to technique rather than a stone defect.

Maintenance and running costs

Maintenance is a wipe-down and dry storage. The stone consumes no electricity and needs no lubricant for dry use. A strop and compound are the common edge-finishing add-on. There are no user-serviceable parts; wear is handled through the 3-year warranty rather than repair.

The manufacturer says to sharpen dry, and its FAQ permits water or oil if the surface is cleaned and dried promptly. The Outdoor Life review says never to use water. Leftover metal filings can oxidize and show as rust or yellow discoloration on the stainless-steel base. Small pits on the short sides are normal, from clamps used during electroplating, not defects.

SHARPAL’s own store lists it at $69.99, Chef Knives To Go at $70.00 and Woodcraft at $69.99, all in 2026. Reddit community references place it at around $60–70. Below $55 it is compelling on sale; $55–75 is the normal band; above $85 value is weak. Running costs are zero beyond the stone itself.

Which model this is

This page covers the SHARPAL 162N dual-grit diamond whetstone, 8 × 3 in (203 × 76 mm), coarse 325 / extra fine 1200 grit. The Amazon listing is ASIN B07GRWN1PV. Don’t confuse it with the smaller 156N (6 × 2.5 in), the 163N, the 169H (220/600 grit) or the 168H (325/1000 grit without a storage case).

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Retailers:

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