Bespoke Post is a monthly men’s subscription box. Unlike most subscription boxes, you get to preview the new Bespoke Post box offerings on the first of each month, and you can easily skip any month that doesn't interest you in your account section.
This is a review of the "Whet" box that is still available as of this review.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Bespoke Post
The Subscription Box: Bespoke Post
The Cost: $45.00 per month for members, $55.00 if purchased without a membership.
The Products: Monthly lifestyle items curated around a theme.
Ships to: The lower 48 U.S. states for $3.95, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada for $10.00. All orders over $75.00 qualify for free shipping.
Bespoke Post "Whet" Review
1 of 2
The box comes with a card to let you know what's in the box. On the back are a few tips on how to get the best out of your new stones.
1 of 11
The kit comes with three stones: soft, hard, and hard black. They measure 6" x 2" x 1/2". They are each genuine Arkansas stone, which, according to the Bespoke Post site, "is more durable (and sharpens more quickly) than traditional whetstones made of ceramic or aluminum oxide." Each is a natural stone and unique in its look. Included in the kit are a non-slip silicone base and four ounces of honing oil. There is also a small instructional manual. Everything fits perfectly into a nice wooden box, which is also genuinely Arkansas. It has a robust brass hinge that springs open and closed.
I, of course, have already sharpened all the knives I own. I appreciated that they mentioned in the manual that there are different rules for razors, single bevel, and Japanese knives. I chose this box because I have a Japanese knife I want to keep extra sharp and would have definitely sharpened it like the rest. (And never noticed.) However, I wish they would have just explained how to do it in this manual. So I looked up an instructional video and did my best. I will admit that I cannot tell a big difference between the stones and a typical knife sharper, but it FEELS better. Like how making your coffee in a more complicated way makes it taste better. Sharpening my knives with the stones was very therapeutic and made me feel a tiny bit more in control of my kitchen.
I have a couple complaints, but none of them are deal breakers. Firstly, I wish the base (or stone) was a bit taller. When sharpening at a lower angle, I was dragging my knuckles on the counter. Not a huge deal, and you could even argue dragging your knuckles may help steady the angle. Still, I think I'd like a little more height to work with. Secondly, and this is just the way it is, these are oil stones. So they are a little messier than stones that require just water. Lastly, there is the price, which I will get to below.
Note: Customers cannot purchase directly from the manufacture's website. It's a wholesale situation. So I provided a link to one of the sellers.
Here is a great list of frequently asked questions about Arkansas stone. If you are so inclined.
Verdict: "Whet" was a new option from Bespoke Post that immediately went to the top of my list. I've always wanted sharpening stones and this is a really solid little kit. It would be nice if the stones were a little bigger, but I think it's valuable to have something that doesn't take up a lot of space in the kitchen. I love that everything fits tightly into a quality box that can be put in a drawer or closet. I need to work on my technique, but even my first time using them yielded fantastic results. However, the main disappointment of this box was the value. RH Preyda doesn't sell directly, but similar products can be found at several places by a quick search. I easily found the same kit available here (sans the silicone holder) for $46.99. It is for sale for many different prices, but if I can find it for the cost of this subscription, what's the point of offering it? Even if I really wanted the kit, I could have just bought it for the same price and ordered something else from Bespoke. This, of course, is on me. Bespoke offers dozens of options and it is up to the consumer to do their own research as to whether or not it is a good deal. Now that I have done some research, I wish I had just bought a larger, serious stone that fits my needs. Personally, I think this is an interesting part of subscriptions that let you choose what to receive. You can't really complain. But I will say that there is an expectation that the choices they offer will have a certain value and this time I don't feel like those expectations were met. From now on, I'm going to try to do my research upfront to see how the value matches up.
Having said all this, I do like the kit. Nothing beats a quality knife with a sharp blade. This kit gives you that therapeutic option to hone your blades and also put everything away neatly. I may start sharping my Swiss Army knife next.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, the "Whet" box is still available. Or you can pick from one of several rotating boxes.
Check out all of our Bespoke Post reviews and the best men’s subscription boxes of 2021, as voted by our readers.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
What do you think of the "Whet" Bespoke Post box?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.