Sharpening Steels

Maintaining the edge of a professional blade is an art, but the Shun Classic 9-inch Combination Honing Rod makes it a science. Designed specifically to complement the elite geometry of the Shun Classic series, this tool is the bridge between a dull blade and a factory-sharp edge. Learn More

The Wüsthof 9-Inch Honing Steel is an essential maintenance tool designed to preserve the cutting edge of your knives between sharpening sessions. During normal use, even high-quality blades experience microscopic edge deformation, causing the edge to roll slightly out of alignment. This honing steel is designed to straighten that edge, restoring cutting performance without removing significant amounts of material. Forged in Solingen, Germany, the rod is constructed from high-carbon, chromium-plated steel for durability and corrosion resistance. It is hardened to approximately 65 HRC, making it well-suited for maintaining knives in the 58 HRC range, such as standard Wüsthof blades. The 9-inch rod length provides an effective stroke for maintaining common kitchen knives, including 8-inch chef’s knives. A triple-riveted POM handle offers a secure, traditional grip, while the integrated finger guard enhances safety during use.  Learn More

Precision Alignment for the World’s Finest Edges Restore the surgical geometry of your SG2 steel blades with a professional-grade tungsten carbide rod and authentic Masur Birchwood craftsmanship. A world-class knife is only as good as its edge maintenance. The Miyabi Birchwood 9-inch Honing Rod is not a sharpener; it is a vital alignment tool designed specifically for the high-performance alloys found in the Miyabi Birchwood series. While standard stainless steel rods often fail to affect harder Japanese steels, this rod utilizes ultra-durable tungsten carbide. This material provides the necessary tensile strength to realign a folded edge and remove microscopic burrs without removing significant amounts of blade material. Handcrafted in Seki, Japan, this tool mirrors the aesthetic and functional standards of the Birchwood line. The handle is carved from Masur Birch—a rare wood prized for its unique grain and ergonomic warmth—ensuring that your maintenance routine feels as balanced as your prep work. Whether you are a professional finishing a long shift or a home enthusiast preparing a multi-course meal, this rod ensures your knives glide through proteins and vegetables with zero resistance. Regular use prevents the edge from rounding over, extending the time between professional stone sharpenings and preserving the life of your cutlery. Learn More

The F. Dick 3 in. Pocket Steel is perfect for anglers, hunters, campers on the go. Easily accessible for quick touch ups. Made of durable high quality German materials the steel is corrosion resistant so it can be stored for periods of time. This is a great tool to ensure that your blades pocket or kitchen are honed wherever you are. The Handle and steel are screwed on together to store the blade simple unscrew the steel from the handle and insert the steel into the handle and tighten. Made in Germany Learn More

Keep your critical blades in peak condition with the Victorinox 7-inch "Continental Cut" Honing Rod. This compact and effective sharpening steel is specifically tailored for maintaining the keen edges of smaller knives, making it the perfect companion for boning knives, hunting knives, and utility blades. Favored by poultry processors and hunters for its efficiency, this honing rod quickly restores cutting power by realigning the blade's edge. Its 7-inch size offers superior maneuverability and portability, ideal for on-the-go maintenance or in fast-paced professional environments. Ensure your specialized knives are always sharp, safe, and ready for precision work. Learn More

As you use your knife, the razor-sharp edge naturally bends over just a tiny bit as the edge contacts the cutting board. Eventually, this means the sharp edge is no longer making direct contact with the food. The knife feels dull. The Shun Combination Honing Steel is the solution. It gently realigns the edge of your blade, bringing the “sharp” back. It offers two honing surfaces: a smooth one for weekly honing and a micro-ribbed one for monthly honing—depending on your usage, of course. A built-in angle guide makes it easy to hone your Shuns with ease and precision. The steel-grey handle looks beautiful with the rest of your knives.

Hone regularly to maintain the sharpness of your knife Built-in angle guide makes precision honing easy Stainless steel with smooth and micro ribbed sides Handle: Polished Stainless Steel Rod length: 9 in. (22.9 cm) Learn More

This smaller length sharpening steel is marketed by the manufacturer as a "household" steel. It is a hard chromed rod that works extremely well for renewing the edge on standard German and American steel blades. It is also used extensively by our poultry processors who use 5 and 6 inch boning knives. This is also a good choice for a hunter's field kit as they are small, lightweight and easier to pack than a standard 10 or 12 inch rod. Learn More

Precision Blade Maintenance, Every Time You Cook
Elevate your knife care routine with the Victorinox Classic 8-inch Medium-Fine Honing Rod — the professional-grade tool trusted by home cooks and culinary experts alike. Engineered to keep your blades performing at their peak, this honing steel is the effortless solution to maintaining a razor-sharp edge between sharpenings. Effortless Edge Alignment
Over time, even the finest knife blades develop a microscopic bend — known as a burr — that dulls cutting performance. The Victorinox Classic Honing Rod's medium-fine chrome-plated surface gently realigns your blade's edge, restoring its sharpness without removing excess metal. Suitable for blades with a hardness of up to 65 HRC, it's compatible with a wide range of premium kitchen knives. Sleek, Professional Design
True to the iconic Victorinox Classic aesthetic, this honing rod pairs a polished chrome-plated steel shaft with a sleek, durable synthetic handle that offers a confident, non-slip grip. Whether displayed on a knife block or stored in a drawer, its refined look complements any kitchen setup. Learn More

The Master Grade ST-3700 receives our top recommendation for a ceramic honing rod.

Please note that a steel honing rod is used to straighten the edge of a knife that has "burred" or rolled over. Ceramic rods are used to remove metal and restore an edge. Knives with a Rockwell hardness of 61 or greater tend to not roll the edges, but will abrade and dull. Ceramic may be the best choice for these knives.

Not all ceramics are equal: At 9 mohs of hardness, the Master Grade ST-3700 is significantly better than others. (Diamonds are 10 mohs). The vast majority of ceramic rods on the market are 8 mohs.

Impact Resistant. Handle is square, so it is less likely to roll off the table. Rubber tip and metal core also help to make this rod more likely to survive a fall. The level of abrasiveness on a ceramic rod is anecdotal as they are textured ceramics that lack a grit that has been sieved to a particular grain size. These are roughly equivalent to a 2000 grit stone. Learn More