You’ve probably seen the ads or the Reddit threads. Some guy is showing off a mirror-polished edge on a kitchen knife using a tool that looks like it belongs in a high-end machine shop, yet it costs less than a fancy steak dinner. We are talking about the Sytools Beast, a Chinese-manufactured diamond stone set and sharpening system that has basically disrupted the entire sharpening world over the last couple of years.
Honestly, the name "Beast" is a bit on the nose. But after spending months messing with these stones, I can tell you that the performance is actually legit—if you know what you’re doing. Most people buy these sets on AliExpress or Amazon, get them home, and immediately ruin a knife because they treat them like a traditional whetstone. Don't do that.
The Reality of the Sytools Beast Diamond Stones
When we talk about the Sytools Beast a chinese set diamond stones, we’re usually referring to the 155mm x 20mm plates that fit into a guided sharpening system. Unlike a massive bench stone, these are narrow strips. They are designed for precision.
The "Beast" system itself is an all-metal, aluminum alloy jig. It’s heavy. It’s stable. But the secret sauce is actually in the diamond plates. Most sets come with a grit range spanning from a toothy 80 grit all the way up to a surgical 3000 grit. Some newer "honeycomb" versions even feature a copper bond which, frankly, is a game changer for heat dissipation. If you’ve ever accidentally "blued" the tip of a high-carbon steel knife by getting it too hot, you know why that matters.
Why Copper Bond Matters
Most cheap diamond stones are just industrial diamonds electroplated onto a steel plate. They work great for three knives and then they go bald. The Sytools Beast copper bond stones are different. The diamonds are embedded deeper into the matrix. As the stone wears, new diamonds are exposed. It’s the same tech used in industrial glass grinding, and seeing it at this price point is kind of wild.
The honeycomb pattern on the surface isn't just for looks, either. It creates "valleys" for the metal swarf (the tiny shavings of steel) to go. This keeps the stone from clogging up. If a stone clogs, it stops cutting and starts sliding. That's how you lose your thumb or ruin your bevel.
Breaking Down the Grit: From 80 to 3000
If you buy the full Sytools Beast a chinese set diamond stones, you’re going to get a stack of plates. Here is the reality of how you actually use them:
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- The 80 and 120 Grit: These are for surgery. If your knife has a literal chip in it or you’re trying to change the edge angle from 25 degrees down to 15, start here. They are aggressive. They sound like a gravel driveway.
- The 400 and 600 Grit: This is where the real sharpening happens. Most "dull" knives only need a few passes on the 400.
- The 1000 Grit: This is your "factory edge" finish. It leaves a bite that is perfect for tomatoes and meat.
- The 2000 and 3000 Grit: These are for the nerds. This is where you get that reflective, mirror-polish look. Just be warned: at 3000 grit, the edge is so smooth it might actually struggle to bite into a slippery tomato skin unless your technique is perfect.
The Learning Curve: It's Not a Magic Wand
The biggest mistake? Pressure.
People think because they are "diamond" stones, they need to push hard. Wrong. You want the weight of the stone to do the work. If you press down, you will strip the diamonds right off the plate, and you'll be left with a very expensive piece of scrap metal.
You also need to break them in. When you first get the Sytools Beast stones, they feel incredibly scratchy. Take an old, cheap screwdriver or a piece of scrap steel and rub it across the surface for a minute. This knocks off the "wild" diamonds that are sticking out too far. Once you do that, the stones settle into a consistent rhythm.
Maintenance and Longevity
These aren't water stones. You don't soak them. In fact, if you soak these, the adhesive holding the plate to the aluminum blank might fail. I usually use a little bit of soapy water or a dedicated honing oil just to keep the swarf suspended.
After a sharpening session, wipe them down. If you leave the metal dust on there, it will rust. Not the diamonds—obviously—but the steel substrate or the metal particles themselves will turn into a brown mess. A quick scrub with an old toothbrush and some dish soap keeps them biting like new for a long time.
Is it worth the hype?
Compared to a high-end system like a Wicked Edge or a Hapstone, the Sytools Beast is a fraction of the price. Is the fit and finish as good? No. Is there a little bit of "slop" in the 360-degree rotation mechanism? Sometimes. But for $150 vs $600, most home cooks and knife enthusiasts can't justify the extra spend.
The real value is in the results. If you spend an hour learning the "feel" of the Sytools Beast a chinese set diamond stones, you can produce an edge that is objectively sharper than anything you can buy at a retail store.
Actionable Steps for Your First Edge
If you just got your kit, don't start with your $300 Japanese Chef knife. Grab a cheap kitchen knife first.
- Mount the stone: Start with the 400 grit if the knife isn't chipped.
- Find your angle: Use a digital angle gauge (most Beast kits include a mount for one). 17 degrees is a safe bet for most kitchen work.
- Light touch: Use long, sweeping strokes. Listen to the sound. It should be a consistent "shhhhh" sound, not a "grind."
- The Burr: Sharpen one side until you feel a tiny "lip" or wire edge on the other side. This is the burr. If you don't find the burr, you aren't done.
- Flip and repeat: Do the same for the other side, then progress up through the grits.
- Strop it: Even with a 3000 grit stone, a leather strop with a tiny bit of polishing compound will take that edge from "sharp" to "scary."
Stop overthinking the "made in China" label. In the world of synthetic diamonds and aluminum extrusion, the gap between "budget" and "luxury" has never been smaller. The Sytools Beast is proof of that. Clean your stones, watch your pressure, and you'll never have a dull knife in your house again.