Wicked Edge Diamond Stones Break-In Period and Lifespan

Break-In Period and Lifespan of Wicked Edge Diamond Sharpening Stones

Wicked Edge Diamond Stones have a break-in period. These abrasives are made from a process called electro-plating. During this process some diamond particles become stuck to each other and form a second layer of diamonds above the base coating. When you first start to use Wicked Edge Diamond Stones, you will notice that the stones feel very rough/aggressive on your knives, and your results won’t be optimal. As you continue to sharpen your knives the second layer of diamonds will break off and you will notice the stones become smoother and produce better results. The break-in period usually lasts approximately 20 knives. We recommend starting with inexpensive knives to break in your stones and develop your technique with the sharpener, and then move on to your higher quality cutlery after your stones have broken in. 

If you have already been using your sharpener, and you later purchase finer stones like 2200 and 3000 grit stones, you will notice the fine grits feel coarser than your coarse grits, which is because the fine stones have not broken in yet. Break in the fine grit stones just like your other diamond stones for optimal results. 


How To Break in Your Stones

Sharpen some inexpensive knives or a piece of scrap steel to break in your stones. Do not rub your stones together to break them in.


How to Tell When Your Stones are Broken In

When your stones are properly broken in, you will notice they will feel smoother than they previously felt before they were broken in. You will also see much less dust gather when you sharpen, and you will notice they make a much softer, less crunchy sound as you sharpen. 


How Long Diamond Stones Last

This depends on the types of steel you sharpen, the amount of strokes you do with each stone on each knife, and the amount of pressure you use. If you would like to learn from other Wicked Edge users about how long their stones last, the Wicked Edge Forum is a great resource where you can reach out to other Wicked Edge users and ask questions about their experiences with the stones. On average, we estimate that the stones will last approximately 400 to 600 knives. You can extend the lifespan of your stones by using less pressure and not doing more strokes with the stones than necessary. If your goal is to achieve great sharpness, you shouldn’t need to do more than 20 strokes with each stone on each side of the knife. If your goal is to polish your edge, you should do as many strokes as necessary to achieve the level of polish you desire. 


Cleaning your diamond stones periodically will also help you get the most out of your stones. When you clean your stones, they will cut more efficiently so you won't have to make more strokes or apply more pressure to get the job done. You can find information about how to clean your diamond stones in this article: Cleaning and Caring for Wicked Edge Stones and Strops

How to Tell When Your Diamond Stones Have Worn Out 

When your Wicked Edge diamond stones wear out, you will notice bald spots where you can see the bare aluminum plate underneath the surface of the stones. When you see this, it’s time to replace your stones because they will no longer work effectively to refine your edges. 




Normal wear on diamond stones is not covered under warranty.