No - these are water stones, not oil stones. Simply soak them in clean water for 5 minutes before use and keep the surface wet while sharpening. No oils, no chemicals, no mess. Clean with water after each use.

The angle guide helps you maintain a consistent 15-20° angle, which is ideal for most kitchen knives, including Japanese and Western styles. You can adjust within this range by changing how you hold the knife against the guide.
How to Use A Whetstone Angle Guide

Yes! These whetstones work on any blade - chef knives, santoku, pocket knives, scissors, chisels, woodworking tools, and even axes. The versatile grit range handles everything from heavy repair to fine polishing.

With proper care, decades. Unlike cheap whetstones that wear unevenly, our premium corundum stones maintain their surface integrity through hundreds of sharpening sessions.

Yes - they serve different purposes. The 400/1000 handles repair and general sharpening, while the 3000/8000 creates the polished, professional edge. Think of it as the difference between sanding wood with coarse then fine sandpaper.

Home cooks: every 2-3 months with regular honing.
Professional use: monthly. If your knife won't slice a tomato skin cleanly, it's time to sharpen it.

Absolutely. The included angle guide and instruction manual make it straightforward. Most customers achieve excellent results on their first attempt.