What Is the Right Abrasive Progression for Me?

Choosing the right grit progression is one of the most common questions we get at Wicked Edge. Whether you're sharpening for utility or for polish, knowing where to stop—or when to go further—can make all the difference. Below, we break down two popular edge types and the ideal abrasive progressions for each.

Working Edge vs. Polished Edge

What Is a Working Edge?

A working edge is all about function. It’s the kind of edge you want on an everyday carry or work knife—something tough and ready to handle rope, cardboard, plastic, zip ties, and other hard-use tasks.

These edges are typically finished with mid-grit diamond stones such as the 600, 800, or 1000 grit. These levels leave behind micro-serrations, which help the blade bite into tougher materials more effectively. At Wicked Edge, this is our go-to finish for utility blades in the warehouse.

Recommended Working Edge Progression:

100 Grit Diamond Stone
200 Grit Diamond Stone
400 Grit Diamond Stone
600 Grit Diamond Stone
800 Grit Diamond Stone
1000 Grit Diamond Stone

Optional: Add a light stropping step to improve durability. Leather strops gently round the bevels, resulting in a more long-lasting edge. Learn more about when and why to strop here.

What Is a Polished Edge?

A polished edge is visually striking and highly refined—ideal for showpieces, razors, chisels, and blades meant for push-cutting tasks like shaving or carving. These edges may not perform as well on tough materials, but they excel in clean, controlled cuts.

For more on polished edges and when to use them, visit our guide on how to achieve a polished edge.

Fastest Polished Edge Progressions

If your highest grit is 1000 Grit:

1000 Grit Diamond Stone
9-Micron Diamond Lapping Film
6-Micron Diamond Lapping Film
4-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop
2-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop

If your highest grit is 1500 Grit:

1500 Grit Diamond Stone
6-Micron Diamond Lapping Film
4-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop
2-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop

If your highest grit is 2200 Grit:

2200 Grit Diamond Stone
6-Micron Diamond Lapping Film
4-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop
2-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop

If your highest grit is 3000 Grit:

3000 Grit Diamond Stone
3-Micron Diamond Lapping Film
1-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop
0.5-Micron Emulsion on Leather Strop

Tips for Building Your Progression

Smaller grit jumps = smoother, more refined finish
More steps generally mean a more consistent and polished edge
Use stropping to clean up and refine the apex without removing too much material

Still unsure? Check out our other sharpening articles or browse the full Wicked Edge Knowledge Base here.

Learn more about our Wicked Edge precision sharpeners here.

Good stones

I use these to get a mirror-finish edge.

These are part of my progression to get a mirror-finish edge. Very sharp.

Work great and make a fantastic Edge if you're looking to refine it

A whole new edge on knife sharpening!

Bought this to maintain my knives and perhaps a few friends. Took about 25 minutes on each of kitchen knives and now they are consistantly sharp and will just take a few minutes every week to maintain the edge. I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because the clamp does not hold my 12 inch chef knife as well as it could. I clamped the unit to a wooden table and sat as I went through the different grits. Unfortunately, the knife began to tilt and even though I retightened the clamp and used the included pads, the knife still moved slightly. I think I will try a thin rubber gasket between the clamp and blade next to see if that helps. I'm still satisfied with the edge and hope they will develop something to hold the blade even better. Perhaps 5 stars sometime later.......Bob

What Is the Right Progression for Me