Sharpening Steels

The WÜSTHOF 10" Ceramic Sharpening Rod J800 is best for dull to moderately sharp knives. The ceramic surface ensures exceptional sharpening of the blade: with just a few steps you can achieve the desired result. As this sharpener removes a tiny amount of metal from the knife, we recommend using a WÜSTHOF Honing Steel for daily or weekly edge maintenance. JIS800 (Japanese Industrial Standards) Grit 800 this Ceramic Sharpening Rod is intended to put a small bevel on either side of the kitchen knife. (NOT Honing) This rod will put a good ruff edge on your knife with just a few passes, an edge that is ideal for cutting through vegetable skin (tomato, bell pepper) and making thin more even slices. This ceramic rod works very well with Japanese knives that are hard with high rockwell hardness scores but also works very well on German knives that have lost their edge.    Learn More

Superior Edge Realignment Through Hexagonal Contact Geometry Traditional round honing rods offer a microscopic contact point with the knife edge, requiring multiple passes and perfect steady-handedness to achieve results. The Glestain 10.8 in. (275mm) Ceramic Honing Rod disrupts this standard with a specialized hexagonal profile. By providing six flat faces, this rod allows for a significantly larger contact area between the ceramic material and the knife's secondary bevel. For the professional chef processing 40+ lbs of protein per shift, this means achieving a razor-sharp realignment in fewer strokes with far less margin for error. Constructed in Japan, this rod is specifically designed to handle the harder steels found in Japanese cutlery (58-63 HRC). While traditional stainless steels may struggle to 'move' the edge of a high-carbon blade, this ceramic composite offers the necessary abrasive qualities to realign and slightly refine the edge without the aggressive metal removal of a coarse whetstone. The 10.8-inch length is the professional's choice, providing enough runway to maintain everything from a 150mm petty knife to a 270mm gyuto or sujihiki slicer. The handle is weighted for balance, ensuring that the tip of the rod doesn't feel 'heavy' during rapid vertical honing sessions in a high-pressure kitchen environment. Learn More

A ceramic sharpening rod differs from a steel honing rod in that it is intented to remove a bit of metal. A steel honing rod is intended to straighten the edge of a softer (German/American) steel knife that has rolled with use. A ceramic rod will remove the burr from an edge and may be used in conjunction with a fine steel honing rod. Ceramics are often preferred for hard Japanese steels that tend to dull without the edge rolling. As a rule of thumb, we use ceramic on steels greater than 60 Rockwell hardness.  Learn More

The Idahone 10-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod is for home cooks who want a simple, daily way to keep their knives sharp. A honing steel only pushes a rolled edge back into line. This high-alumina ceramic rod removes a small amount of steel, so it sharpens and polishes the edge at the same time. Its finish is comparable to a fine Japanese whetstone, which makes it a maintenance tool between full sharpenings rather than a substitute for them.
What It Does for Your Knives Fine ceramic abrasive: Refreshes a working edge in a few light strokes and leaves a smooth, polished finish. Suited to Japanese and Western knives: Because the rod abrades the edge rather than bending it, it maintains softer German steels and the harder steels of many Japanese knives, which tend to wear or chip rather than roll. Compact length: Handles paring knives, utility knives and shorter chef’s knives, and fits a kitchen drawer. Natural maple handle with hanging ring: Provides a secure grip for steady strokes and keeps the rod within reach near the cutting board.
Other Sizes and Grits For longer blades, the Idahone 12-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod, Hard Rock Maple Handle allows a full stroke from heel to tip. The same 10-inch rod is also available as the Idahone 10-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod, Black Wood Handle. When a knife no longer responds to the fine rod, the Idahone 10-inch Coarse Ceramic Sharpening Rod removes steel faster to restore the edge, and the fine rod then refines it. Learn More

F. Dick 10 in. Dickoron "Dick Duo" Diamond/Ceramic Combination Steel is a great tool to use for quick sharpening when your knife needs a little more attention than normal. This ceramic sides are oval and there are round diamond rods on the opposite sides. 1000 grit Ceramic for finishing and/or basic touch up sharpening, diamond for cutting a new edge. This is a very unique sharpening product to allow you to put either a rough diamond finish or a smoother ceramic finish on your knife. If you have lost your edge through heavy use this tool will allow you to put a new beveled edge to your knife and you can skip the stones or the draw sharpeners. Ceramic is delicate so be sure to care for this tool and store it where it will not be dropped. Made in Germany. Learn More

The Idahone 10-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod is for cooks who want to keep a sharp knife sharp with a few strokes before each use. A honing steel only pushes a rolled edge back into line. This high-alumina ceramic rod removes a small amount of steel, so it sharpens and polishes the edge at the same time. Its finish is comparable to a fine Japanese whetstone, which makes it a maintenance tool between full sharpenings rather than a substitute for them.
What It Does for Your Knives Fine ceramic abrasive: Refreshes a working edge in a few light strokes and leaves a smooth, polished finish. Suited to harder steels: Because the rod abrades the edge rather than bending it, it suits the harder steels of many Japanese knives, which tend to wear or chip rather than roll. Fewer whetstone sessions: Regular use keeps an edge in service longer, so full sharpenings are needed less often. Compact length: Handles paring knives, utility knives and shorter chef’s knives. For longer blades, the Idahone 12-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod, Black Wood Handle allows a full stroke from heel to tip.
Choosing a Fine or Coarse Rod The fine rod is the right tool for routine maintenance of a knife that is still sharp. When a knife no longer responds to it, the Idahone 10-inch Coarse Ceramic Sharpening Rod removes steel faster to restore the edge, and the fine rod then refines it. The same fine rod is also available with a natural maple handle as the Idahone 10-inch Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod, Hard Rock Maple Handle. Learn More

Ultra-fine ceramic rod for daily use - maintain your edge without wearing down your knives. The Kikuichi 10.5-inch Ceramic Honing Rod is designed specifically for maintaining high-carbon and high-hardness Japanese knives. At 8000 grit, this rod behaves very differently from typical ceramic or steel honing rods. While it does remove material, it does so in extremely small amounts - effectively burnishing and refining the edge rather than aggressively grinding it. The result is a rod you can use every day without concern, keeping your knives aligned, polished, and performing at their best. Learn More