Quick Summary: When looking for the best honing steel that is both safe and effective, we selected the Wusthof Classic Diamond Sharpening steel. The diamond honing kitchen tool is tough enough to get the job done in just a few strokes while standing the test of time, saving you from having to repurchase honing rods often. The length is perfect for honing most regularly sized kitchen knives and the slip-resistant handle helps prevent painful and possibly life-threatening injuries. Finally, this diamond honing rod can be very easily cleaned by simply wiping it down with a damp wash cloth.
Blunt blades are one of the most frustrating and annoying utensils to have in the kitchen. It tests your patience and sometimes leads to impatience while cooking, ultimately ruining your whole meal.
Dull, blunt blades also increase the chances of an injury as they are more prone to slipping. A honing steel is an important tool to have in the kitchen if you want your cooking experience to go without a hitch.
It sharpens your knife which results in smooth cuts and a smooth cooking experience. Due to the reasons, we’ve made your selection process much easier by giving you the list of the Best Honing Steels available on the market.
We’ve provided their descriptions and their reviews. Aside from that, we’ll fill you in on the tips on what to look for in honing steel.
A common misconception of honing steels is that they’re only used to sharpen knives. That’s not true, as you can use them to align and straighten your blade too.
When purchasing one of these honing steels, look out for ones that have the most comfortable handles and sturdy steel. Usually honing steels that are sold as one-pieces are much more effective, as the handle would never fall off.
Comparison of 10 Best Honing Steels
 | 1. Wusthof 10-Inch Diamond Sharpening Steel (Best overall)This 10-inch sharpening steel comes with a lifetime warranty and a comfortable handle which is slip-proof. The steel shaft is diamond-coated. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Fibrox Honing Steel (Best Budget)Durable and sharp, this swiss army honing steel maintains the sharpness of your knife for months. It is made of stainless steel and has a comfortable grip. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. Chefast Honing Steel Knife Sharpening SetThe blades on this steel rod are made of chromium-steel and the handle is made of polypropylene, which fits comfortably on your hand. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. Kota Japan Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife SharpenerThis honing steel has gone through the diamond electroplating treatment and comes in an oval shape. It ensures a sharp blade and comes with a lifetime guarantee. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. F. Dick 11-inch Multicut Steel Flat Fine CutMade of flat steel of seven different kinds, this honing steel offers a comfortable handle, and can also be used for grinding. | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Victorinox Black Steels - Packer/Trimmer/Processor4 inches in height and 5 inches in length, this honing steel comes with a hanging guard to protect your hand while sharpening. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. Green Elephant Ceramic Sharpening RodDurable, shock-absorbent, and lightweight, this honing steel has all the features that make for a good sharpening rod. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. Utopia Kitchen 12 Inch Honing SteelThis 12-inch sharpening steel can sharpen any kind of knives. The carbon steel rod is plated with nickel-chrome and is easily washable. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Professional Knife Steel Magnetized Honing RodRustproof, dishwasher safe, and durable, this knife sharpener is a chef’s dream. This specific model is dishwasher safe and comes with a separator to prevent injuries. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. Messermeister Ceramic Rod Knife SharpenerThe combination of alignment steel and industrial strength is what makes this honing steel so durable and strong. It is of 100% Meissmester quality. | Read Our Review |
Top 10 Honing Steels Review
To find the best honing steel, we studied tons of reviews and ratings from experts and buyers. In all of those we looked at, we chose the following ten honing steel tools based on their materials, ease of use, price, and durability.
1. Wusthof 4483-7 CLASSIC Diamond Sharpening Rod, One Size Black : Overall Best
Wusthof is a well known and highly trusted brand in the knife industry. When considering a product from this German company, you can feel confident that you will get a good one.
This Wusthof Classic Diamond Sharpening and Honing Tool
This sharpening steel is coated with fine diamond dust that can take most of the work out of honing and sharpening your knives.
It is sharpening steel covered in fine diamond dust to help get the sharpening and honing done quickly, easily, and well. It’s easy to clean by wiping it down with a damp washcloth after use.
The handle is comfortable to hold and use, and covered with
The only downside that I could find is that it is a bit pricey. However, after reading many reviews from buyers, I feel that it is worth the investment.
Not only will it save you lots of time and energy by maintaining your knives quickly so you can cook more easily, but it will also prevent the need to buy new knives too often.
Pros:
- Steel coated with fine diamond dust that cuts through the job easily
- Well known and trusted
brand - Good size for standard kitchen knives
- Simple to clean
- Comfortable and slip-resistant handle for safety
- Hanging loop for easy storage
- Worth the investment when weighed against the benefits
Cons:
- May be a bit pricey for some budgets
2. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Swiss Classic Fibrox Honing Steel, 10-Inch: Best for Budget
This honing steel tool is made from high quality steel that can keep your knives in great shape for a great price.
The Victorinox Swiss Army Honing Steel is a 10″ kitchen tool, which hones and sharpens your knives at the same time saving you time and energy.
It is very durable with ergonomic Fibrox patented handles that are slip resistant, textured, and comfortable in your hand.
It is a lightweight tool that is easy to use and easy to maintain by simply wiping it clean. The weight of the tool has been well balanced and the length makes it good for almost any size blade. The price of this honing tool is very budget friendly.
The only downside I could find is the fact that it is made from steel and steel will eventually wear down. However, for the price and the durability, it is definitely worth trying it out before purchasing a more expensive one.
Pros:
- Made from
high quality steel - Easy to clean and maintain
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic slip-resistant handles for comfort and safety
- Good length for most blades
- Lightweight and balanced
- Hones and sharpens simultaneously saving you time
- Very good price
Cons:
- Steel wears down over time
3. Chefast Honing Steel Knife Sharpening Set: Best Knife Sharpening Set Combo
Customers who’ve purchased the product love the 90-day money-back guarantee. A new product will be provided to you should anything go wrong with the one you purchase.
Perfect Size
10 inches in length, this knife sharpener gets the job done on both large knives and small ones. Instead of sharpening the blade directly, this honing steel gives the knife the perfect slice without removing a considerable amount of surface area from the knife.
Quality Materials
The steel rod is made with a chromium-plated carbon steel rod, and the handle is comfortable in the hand. It also comes with a loop to hang in your kitchen. The product also comes with a luxury carry bag, an instruction manual, and a combo kit.
Well Designed
The honing steel is designed in a way to make the maneuverability as versatile as possible and to make the product feel good in your hand. It is specially designed so it maintains its shape over time. Works well for both left and right-handers.
Pros:
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- An instruction manual is provided, giving you further tips to make the most of the product
- Fits perfectly in the hands of both right and left-handers
Cons:
- Might be heavier than most knife sharpeners on the market
4. Kota Japan 12 in. Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Honing Rod: Best for Diamond Electroplating
The Kota Japan Diamond honing steel is a 12″ diamond electroplated tool made in an oval shape for maximum honing efficiency.
It comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty so you can buy with confidence and
The ergonomically designed handle is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, and it is squared off taking away the worry of it rolling off of your counter.
The entire look of this honing tool can add to the beauty of your kitchen as it is designed in such a way that you can display it.
The diamond covered steel blade is 1000 grit making it a great tool for any blade. Due to the fine grit, it can be used to sharpen as well meaning you only need one tool instead of two.
Sometimes pros are also cons, which is the case here. The fact that it can sharpen your knives means that it can also wear them down if you are not careful.
By only doing one to two strokes per side to hone it, you will keep your knives longer. When it is time to sharpen, you can use it for longer.
Pros:
- Beautifully designed means it can be a display item as well as a functional one
Budget friendly - Unconditional lifetime warranty
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Squared handle to prevent rolling
- Oval shape diamond electroplated steel
- Can be used for honing and sharpening eliminating the need for separate tools
Cons:
- Doing too many strokes at once can wear your knives down more quickly
5. F.Dick 11-inch Multicut Steel Flat Fine Cut 7650428: Best Flat Honing Steel
This one tool includes seven types of steel and it is multifunctional.
This flat honing tool is 11 inches making it a great kitchen gadget for small and large knives.
The seven types of steels make it a tough tool that is good for both grinding and honing, depending on the amount of pressure you apply.
The ergonomic handle is aesthetically pleasing and provides a safe and secure, grip. There is a loop at the end for hanging convenience.
This product gets recommended by many chefs, teachers at cooking institutes, and has many repeat buyers.
Like other multifunctional honing steel tools, the fact that it can do more than just hone your kitchen knife can be both useful and risky.
With this tool, if you apply too much pressure, you will be grinding your knife down, aka wearing them down quickly.
To keep your knives lasting and up to par, only apply light pressure to hone. It will likely take some trial and error to find the sweet spot for honing, but to be safe start with the lightest amount of pressure you can and work up from there.
Also, this particular tool is high priced compared to many others. According to the reviews, most users have had them for years and many
Pros:
- 11″ tool great for short and long knives
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Safe and ergonomic handle
- Loop for hanging convenience
- Multifunctional
- Repeat customers
- Recommended by many professionals
- Made from seven different types of tough steel for strength and durability
Cons:
- Multifunctional means extra rise- users must be diligent and use the correct amount of pressure to not wear down knives too quickly
- The price is quite high for most budgets
6. Victorinox Honing Steel Black Plastic Handle: Best Smooth Honing Steel
This honing tool has a hand guard to help protect you while using it.
The Victorinox Smooth Honing Steel is a 10″ kitchen tool made with safety in mind. The thin handle has flat sides to prevent the tool from rolling off of the counter.
There is an included hand guard to protect you while you are working. While everyone can benefit from safety features, the hand guard would be especially useful for those new to sharpening and honing knives.
It is smooth enough that you will not be shaving your knives down yet strong enough to straighten out and re-align your blade edges.
Using it after each knife use will help minimize your need to sharpen your knives, keeping them in good shape for longer. This honing tool is also available in other sizes and finishes. The price is very budget friendly.
There are not many negative things to say about this product. It is a bit of a downside that you will need a separate tool for sharpening but that also keeps you from wearing your knives down too quickly.
]It is also not necessarily the best looking honing steel tool, but it fulfills its purpose well.
Pros:
- 10 inch tool great for most knife sizes
- Thin handle with flat sides so no rolling will occur
- Hand guard for added safety
- Smooth so will not wear knives down
- Tough enough to realign blade edges
- The price is very good
- Available in other sizes and finishes for versatility
Cons:
- Users will have to buy a separate tool for sharpening, not aesthetically pleasing
7. Green Elephant Knife Sharpening Rod: Best for Durabilty
This extremely durable knife sharpening rod has shock absorbing abilities to prevent shattering.
The Green Elephant Sharpening Rod is made from the highest quality ceramic available. It is created with a unique vibration absorbing design that will protect your ceramic honing tool from breaking if it falls onto the floor.
Green Elephant Ceramic Honing Rod is both lightweight and designed with a comfortable handle that is easy to hold onto when in use.
It is gentle enough for light honing but tough enough with 1500 ceramic grit for sharpening your knife blades-even German and Japanese knives-meaning you will only need the one tool.
The price is great and it comes with a
In fact, the only one I could find is that it would be better with some sort of protective covering for when it is not in use.
It is also important to remember that with multi functional tools comes extra risk. Be sure to read the instructions to make sure you use the correct amount of pressure on your knives.
Pros
- Shock absorbing feature helps prevent breaks
- Made from the highest quality ceramic
- 1500 ceramic grit great for all knives including German and Japanese Knives
- Great price
30 day money back guarantee- Multifunctional
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Could use protective covering
- Must be careful to not apply too much pressure
8. Utopia Kitchen 12 Inch Honing Steel: Best for Ergonomic Handle
Customers love how this 12 inch honing steel is safe to use, due to the plastic guard, which separates the steel with the handle and prevents injuries while sharpening.
High-Quality Material
This 12 inch honing steel is made of carbon steel, which is then plated with nickel-chrome. The steel rod is designed with a fine surface to prevent the knife edge from getting damaged while sharpening
Comfortable Grip
Easy to use and handle for both left and right-handers. The honing steel comes with a comfortable handle that fits easily on all hand sizes and is easy to maneuver.
Easy Cleaning
A piece of cloth and water are all you need to clean the steel completely. The only extra step would be to hang the honing steel to air it out and dry it completely.
Pros:
- Safe to use, with a separator between handle and steel
- Weighing only 14.5 ounces it is considerably lightweight
- Equipped with slip-resistant rubber on the handle
Cons:
- Has a curved surface, compared to most flat steel honers
9. Professional Knife Steel Magnetized Honing Rod: Best Magnetized Honing Rod
This product is dishwasher safe, a feature many customers look out for, to ease them the trouble of always having to wash on the regular. Forget wiping the product with a cloth and waiting for it to dry out.
Magnetized
While sharpening, some particles from the knifes edge tend to become airborne, but due to the magnetic component on the sharpener, the particles stick to the honing rod.
Rust-Proof
After the hardening process, the it goes through an additional chromium plating process, which ultimately makes the steel rust-proof
Durable
Made of high quality hardened carbon steel, the honing steel will last you a long time. The materials used in the production of the product were carefully chosen, with no cheap plastic used.
Pros:
- Rust-proof material gives you a long-lasting product
- Dishwasher safe, removing the hassle of washing and drying the honing steel
- Lightweight, being only 6.4 ounces
Cons:
- The product might take more metal off your knife than you’d like. Use lightly.
10. Messermeister Ceramic Rod Knife Sharpener, 12-Inch: Best Ceramic Honing Steel
This honing rod is made from industrial strength ceramic steel.
The Messermeister Ceramic Rod Knife Sharpener is available in both 10 inch and 12 inch making it a great choice for most knife sizes. The industrial strength ceramic steel sharpens while it aligns your knives.
The soft, secure handle is ergonomically designed to fit safely and comfortably in your hand.
The ceramic is a 1200 grit rod so it can work well on any knife, including Japanese knives if you have those in your collection.
It is lightweight yet durable and strong enough for tough sharpening and honing jobs. It also comes with a plastic sleeve for storage and protection as well as a hanging loop you can hang it from.
There are a couple of downsides to this honing steel tool. First is the price. The 10″ tool is a fair price, but adding a couple more inches seems to hike the price up and is a pretty big leap.
The prices I found during this research put the 12″ tool at almost double the cost of the 10″ tool, which seems a bit steep to me.
However, this tool has great reviews so you may find that you do not care about having to pay the price.
Another problem seems to be with the shape of the handle. Though the handle itself is excellent for holding while using the tool, the fact that it is round can cause other issues.
Quite a few people have had their tool roll off the counter and onto their floor where this ceramic tool breaks very easily. Lastly, the fact that it sharpens while it aligns can be a bit of a problem.
As discussed previously, you should be honing your knives regularly but only sharpening them a couple of times a year.
Since this tool sharpens as well, it is taking off some of the metal each time you use it. You may find that your knives are shredding down too much too quickly.
Pros:
- Available in 2 sizes
- Industrial strength ceramic
- Sharpens and aligns saving you time
- Ergonomic and safe handle
- Can hone even Japanese knives
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Plastic protective sleeve
- Hanging loop for storage
- 10″ tool is budget friendly
Cons:
- Price of 12″ tool is a bit pricey
- The round handle can cause falls and breakage
- Sharpening feature may wear down your knives too quickly
How to Choose the Best Honing Steel
Purchasing honing steel can provide a few benefits. One of those is the fact that it can save you a lot of money.
Some people just throw out old, dull, ineffective knives and get new ones while others pay high-cost services to do the honing for them.
All of this can be saved simply by purchasing your own. They are also easy to use and can make you more productive at dinner time since you will not have to see through the meat you are about to cook.
Before jumping on Amazon to buy one, there are things you should know and consider so that you can choose the right one for you.
Honing Material
Honing steels come in a few different options.
Stainless Steel
This is a great option for regular honing, however, the steel can wear away fast. You can choose between smooth, ridged, round or square stainless steel rods.
Stainless steel is great for fast sharpening and superior honing, but you may find yourself replacing them more often than other types.
Also, it is not strong enough to sharpen Japanese knives, so if you have those, use a honing steel that is coated with diamond or a ceramic honing rod.
Ceramic
Ceramic is another great material for regular honing and sharpening, but you do have to be very careful with it because, just like a ceramic vase, it is easily breakable.
If you do not have the time to be vigilant and gentle, ceramic is not the right choice for you.
Diamond
Diamond is definitely tougher than ceramic, but that is also a downfall. It can both sharpen and align your knife in just a few strokes, but it is way too rough and abrasive to use regularly.
It would be best to have either ceramic or stainless steel for regular honing and the diamond one for occasional honing.
Related: Best Sharpening Stones
Handle Design
It is important to remember two very important things when it comes to
Second, a proper handle can help protect your honing steel from breaking. A good handle will be ergonomically designed, fit in your hand comfortably, be slip resistant, and be proportionate to the size of your hand. There should also be a safety guard.
Sharpening Rod Length
Your sharpening rod length should match the length of your knives and vice versa. If you use 10″ knives, the sharpening rod should be as close to 10″ as you can find but not smaller. Large is okay, but getting
Ease of Use
There are many different types of cooks out there from complete amateurs to home cooks to gourmet chefs, and there is more than one skill level when it comes to honing and sharpening knives.
As tempting as it can be to want to show off with the most professional looking one, please remember safety. If you are an amateur at sharpening and honing, use a honing steel that matches that level.
Many have different guards that not only keep you safe while you are learning but also help you learn the proper technique so one day you can sharpen and hone your knives like a pro.
Related: Best Electric Knife Sharpener
Maintenance
A honing tool is meant to maintain your knives, but the tool needs maintenance as well. That is because when it is used, metal particles will get on the tool. Steel and diamond rods tend to be easier to maintain than ceramic.
Budget
With any purchase, you should factor in your budget. How much can you afford to pay?
You do not want to miss out on paying an important bill just to buy the best product. Instead, after determining a good budget for your honing tool, try to find one within that price.
If you cannot, wait a little longer until you can afford it without sacrificing anything else.
Warranty
It is very important to understand your warranty. They should always specify what is and is not covered.
Some honing tools may not cover damage caused by sharpening certain types of knives. You should know this so that you do not make any wrong moves with your tool.
