Staff Picks
We found ourselves making the same recommendations over and over again. So we put them all in one place.
As an Amazon Associate Astoria Cutlery earns from qualifying purchases.
Beginner Stone Set
King Combination Whetstone
The gold standard beginner stone. the red side is used for cutting and refining the edge while the tan side polishes and finishes your work.
Sharp Pebble Leather Strop
We recommend Dialux Vert as the preferred replacement when you run out of the provided polishing compound.
Sharp Pebble Flattening Stone
Make sure to level your stone after each knife to prevent dishing!
Stone Holder
Works great for securing the dual grit stone, the leveling stone, and the strop.
Naniwa Nagura Stone
Use to prepare the stone. Stirring up the abrasive into a slurry before sharpening helps increase cutting power and prevents knife chatter/skipping.
Diamond Sharpening Rod
Not required but a great addition. Used for serrated knives to work the beveled side of the teeth. Also a great travel companion, to sharpen any knife in a pinch.
Cutlery
Victorinox 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
Found on every magent strip in professonal kitchens. This thin stamped blade is incredibly serviceable and our go-to for gifts, since it will survive anything you throw at it.
Tojiro 210 MM Chef’s Knife
No fuss Japanese knife with Western features. Our favorite recommendation for an introductory Japanese knife.
Misono UX10 210 MM Chef’s Knife
Top pick from fine dining kitchens. Asymmetric creates the sharpest profile possible for this durable stainless blade. Note that the linked knife is right-handed.
Tojiro DP Damascus 6 Inch Utility Knife
Seamlessly blending aesthetics and functionality with a stunning Damascus pattern and an expertly honed, versatile blade.
Dexter 8 Inch Chinese Cleaver
This US-made vegetable cleaver features a high-carbon blade, wood handle. and our preferred combination of acute geometry and heft for a Chinese cleaver
Mac 10 inch Ceramic Hone
The perfect companion to your Japanese knives, a 2000-grit ceramic hone that excels at realigning harder steel.
Sabatier Freres 8 inch Chef’s Knife
If you have to choose a Western knife, reach for precision, durability, and comfort with historic French craftsmanship.
Sabatier Freres 4 inch Paring Knife
Durability, comfort and craftsmanship in a small package.
Misono Molybdenum 5.5 inch Honesuki
Throw out your boning knife this is the must-have Honesuki; sharp, durable, and agile Japanese boning knife
The Site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking Amazon.com and affiliated websites.