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Does the complete OD55 package include a stone and base, or is the stone sold separately?
The exact WSBCHDDS complete-system page describes the dual-grit diamond stone with an adjustable cast-aluminum base and removable magnetic guides. Work Sharp separately lists the same dual-grit stone as a replacement/accessory-only item, so check for WSBCHDDS rather than the stone-only SKU when comparing offers.
Explore this need in the finder →Which guide positions come with the OD55, and does that mean it has a continuously adjustable dial?
The included magnetic guides mark 15°, 17° and 20°. They are removable for freehand work; they are discrete guides, not a continuously adjustable dial. The site's numeric angle filter therefore does not certify one of these discrete positions for this model.
Explore this need in the finder →Can the OD55 base hold stones I already own?
Work Sharp says the sliding vise clamps stones 7.5–8.75 inches long, the vise can be removed for stones up to 4 by 12 inches, and smaller 1-by-6-inch stones sit on the silicone pad. Check your stone's exact dimensions and whether the guide positions align with its height and shape.
Explore this need in the finder →The Work Sharp OD55 Dual Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone and Base (SKU WSBCHDDS) is a manual, freehand knife-sharpening system built around an 8-by-3-inch, reversible diamond stone and an adjustable cast-aluminum platform. This is an assessment of the specific complete-system package based on the maker's product page and user guide, not hands-on use or testing.
First distinguish the complete system from its parts
The WSBCHDDS package combines the adjustable base, the dual-grit 320/1200 diamond stone and magnetic guides marked 15°, 17° and 20°. Work Sharp also sells the same 320/1200 stone by itself as an accessory (SKU SA0007288) and the base separately (SKU SA0006806). Those are useful replacement or expansion components, but neither is the complete sharpener by itself. If a listing's title says only “stone” or “base,” compare its SKU and box contents instead of assuming the full setup is included. The base is the distinctive part of the OD55 concept. It raises and supports a stone on anti-skid feet; four mounting holes allow a more permanent bench installation. The sliding vise grips stones 7.5 to 8.75 inches long. Remove that vise and Work Sharp says the platform can accept stones up to 4 by 12 inches; smaller 1-by-6-inch stones sit on the silicone pad. The maker describes most 3-by-8-inch stones as compatible. That flexibility can matter more over time than the included stone, but “most” is not “all”: verify the dimensions of your existing stone and whether its height and shape let the magnetic guides line up.A guided starting point, not an angle-controlled machine
The included magnetic guides provide reference positions at 15°, 17° and 20°. They can be removed when you want to sharpen freehand without them. This is different from a clamped guide system or a sharpener with a continuous angle dial: the guides do not hold the knife at a selected setting, and the user still controls the blade angle, pressure, stroke and edge checks. The supplied manual centers its beginner walkthrough on one non-serrated, double-bevel kitchen knife with a 3–4-inch blade. It explains technique and shows outdoor-knife anatomy too, but the basic lesson remains a skill-based freehand method, not a promise of effortless results on every geometry. The site finder asks for a numerical angle that a product must support. Because this package documents three discrete magnetic guide positions rather than a continuously adjustable range, its authored facts intentionally leave the numerical range unknown. A number in the finder therefore does not make the OD55 a match—even when the number happens to be one of its guide positions. Check the guide positions in this review instead. This conservative behavior avoids presenting an unsupported range as an exact match.Two diamond grits and a deliberate workflow
The supplied stone pairs coarse 320 grit with fine 1200 grit. The user's guide emphasizes doing the main edge work on the coarse side, confirming that a burr forms along the edge, and then using the finer side to refine the scratch pattern and reduce the burr. It advises light pressure and inspecting progress rather than making many strokes without checking the bevel. A strop may help with the final burr, but the manual explicitly says stropping equipment is not included. Work Sharp describes the coarse face as a fast-cutting surface for building an edge and the 1200 side as the refinement step. The two-stage set is easy to understand and avoids a large collection of plates, but there is no included intermediate grit or ceramic honing surface. The manual notes that users can choose to stop at the coarser finish for a toothier edge or continue to refine; that is a choice about the task and edge, not a guarantee about how a particular knife will cut. Both sides use diamond abrasive, and the maker lists a replacement stone separately.Use, cleanup and unresolved detail
The diamond-stone instructions do not describe the stone as a water stone. They call for cleaning the stone with a dry brush; the silicone pad may be cleaned with soap and water. Do not assume that the entire setup should be soaked or rinsed simply because a different sharpener uses water. Keep the cutting edge and hands clear, and follow the included safety warnings. There is a small specifications conflict worth preserving: the product page lists the complete OD55 at 4.3 lb, while its guide lists the base at 1.5 lb and the stone at 3.5 lb, which sum to 5 lb. This review does not choose one figure or make a portability claim from it. The guide also publishes stone and base measurements and a three-year consumer warranty, but says the warranty excludes abrasives and industrial/commercial use. Check those terms with the current manufacturer documentation.Where it fits among manual Work Sharp options
Compared with the Benchstone, the OD55 has a larger 3-by-8-inch freehand stone platform and accepts other stones, while the Benchstone uses a rotating 320/600-grit diamond-and-ceramic Tri-Brasive plus a base that can pivot with a curved blade or lock rigid. The Whetstone follows a water-based 1000/6000-grit routine and includes its own 15°/17° guides. These are different routines, not a simple ladder of “better” and “worse”: choose the OD55 for a stable freehand platform and stone compatibility, the Benchstone for its dry three-surface arrangement, or the Whetstone if a soaked water stone is part of the practice you want. Shortlist the WSBCHDDS if learning and maintaining a freehand angle is part of your goal, you want the included dual-diamond stone and base together, and its guide positions suit your plan. Look elsewhere if you expect a powered result, a clamp to hold the knife, an included strop, serration-specific equipment or automatic angle control. Confirm the exact WSBCHDDS system and check the dimensions of any other stones you plan to use before buying.Key specifications
Key details at a glance
| Power | Manual |
|---|---|
| Sharpening format | Freehand diamond stone with removable guides |
| Included abrasive surfaces | 320-grit coarse diamond / 1200-grit fine diamond |
| Benchtop base included | Yes |
| Strop included | No |
| Angle-guide positions | 15 / 17 / 20° |
Use the exact model’s instructions for operating limits, supplied equipment and version differences.
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Use the finder to compare documented sharpener formats and limits; an unknown capability is not treated as a match.