Top 15 Best Honing Steels
When you buy through our links, The Breslin may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
If you usually enjoy your cooking every day, you have to use many kinds of knives such as fruit knife, carving knife, etc. so the sharpness is the most necessary.
Do you have some dull knives and need to sharpen it? Do you want to reshape your bent blades? Maybe you need a honing steel to solve this solution.
How can I choose fitting honing steel for my kitchen? In my topic, I will present Top 15 Best Honing Steel Review to give you some experience before buying.
What Is Honing Steel?
A Honing Steel is a cooktop tool for maintenance of knives.
It usually comes with a long rod with a handle at the top. Depending on your purpose, you can use it to renew dull or bent knives or maintain your sharp knives.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Honing Steel
Each product was born often has some advantages and disadvantages, and honing steel is no exception.
There Are Some Advantages of Honing Steel
Easy to Use
Unlike other sharpening tools, honing steel is easy to use with minimal effort. You can restore and renew your dull knives with a few strokes and then enjoy your cooking time.
Save Money – Save Time
Investing a honing steel will help you to save your money. Instead of buying a new knife as an alternative or purchasing for honing service, now you can sharpen your knife at your kitchen.
Useful
Instead of buying a new knife set that takes a lot of space for storage, owning a honing steel will help you maintain your knives more effectively and faster. Moreover, when you sharpen your blades, it will upgrade your cutlery for many years of ultimate cooking.
There Are Some Disadvantages of Honing Steel
- Need to maintain every year
- Cause the tiny metal girts from your blade
- Some ceramic honing steel need to be careful when using
What is The Best Honing Steel to Buy?
If you want to purchase the best honing steel for your kitchen, checking the qualities and referring to some highlight features before buying is very necessary. There are some leading models that you can refer to below here.
- Best Overall: Utopia Kitchen 12 Inch Honing Steel
“Easy and safe to use, Made of carbon steel and coated with nickel-chrome, Comes with an anti-slip rubber handle for honing knife easily, Suitable for all types of knives, Easy to maintain” - Best Budget: Allwin Houseware Honing Steel
“The steel rod was made of durable carbon steel and plated with nickel-chrome, The handle was made of polypropylene that is ergonomic and anti-slip when holding, Easy to use and clean with a wet cloth, Require less effort for honing” - Best for Japanese Knife: Satori Ceramic Sharpening Honing Steel
“The rod was made of high-quality black ceramic, The handle was made of craftsman wood, The flush end cap for full use of the rod without butting up against the tip, Safely hone and sharpen your steel knives” - Best Ceramic: Mercer Culinary Ceramic Rod Knife Honing Steel
“Easy to hone dull blades, The rod was made of ceramic that allows you to hone, The handle was made of black polypropylene handle with a ring for easy hanging” - Best Stainless Steel: Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Honing Steel
“Helps roll the knife’s edge into the original position and maintain its sharp edges, The rod was made of chrome-plated stainless steel, Handle design reduces wrist and hand fatigue, Increases strength & stain-resistance, Lifetime warranty” - Best for Home Use: Messermeister Ceramic Rod Honing Steel
“Easy to use, The rod was made of 1200 grit ceramic, Sharpens and reshape your blade, The soft-grip, ergonomic handle, Strong enough to withstand rigors sharpening, Durable and lightweight, Can be in any kinds of knives”
Honing Steel Comparison Chart
A honing steel is affordable, so there are a lot of options for you to choose. Before we look at some detail of each product, you can refer to a comparison chart with Dimension, Weight, Rod’s Length, Rod’s Material.
Top 15 Best Honing Steel Reviews
If you need a honing steel or knife honer to help you solve these problems, my synthesis review will help you to choose which ones you need for your kitchen.
A honing steel may not be all you need, but it is very necessary when you want to cook without any mistake. So that is the reason that I have to write about it in my topic today.
1. Utopia Kitchen 12 Inch Honing Steel
(Best Overall)
Instead of buying a new knife when your knife is blunt, you can buy honing steel to sharpen your knife. Utopia Kitchen 12 Inch Honing Steel is the one of the most reasonable options that you can decide to buy.
This honing steel is for all types of knives, including kitchen, sporting, household, and pocket knives. It sharpens standard and serrated edge knives.
The knife honing steel was made of carbon steel and coated with nickel-chrome. The smooth surface of steel rod can prevent the cutting edge from damage when sharpening.
Whether you are a right-handed hand or left-handed hand, this honing steel will help sharpen and maintain your knife to work effectively. The slip-resistant rubber handle fits in the hand perfectly helps you hone your knife with ease.
Highlighted Features
- Easy and safe to use
- Made of carbon steel and coated with nickel-chrome
- Comes with an anti-slip rubber handle for honing knife easily
- Suitable for all types of knives
- Easy to maintain
- Durable
Pros
- Quick, safe, and easy to use
- Slip-resistant grip design
- Ambidextrous design for right or left handed
- Affordable
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- The rubber handle will wear out over time
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17.9 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches |
| Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Rubber |
| Rod’s Material | carbon steel and coated with nickel-chrome |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
2. Allwin Houseware Honing Steel
(Best Budget)
Allwin Houseware Honing Steel is a great product that can help you to catch a high-quality life. The knife honing steel was made of carbon steel and plated with nickel-chrome.
The steel rod has 12 inches in length and will help you to maintain the edge on almost all knives and extend the life of your cutlery with frequent use.
The rod is magnetized to prevent metal particles from being inhaled or landing on nearby food. In addition, the handle was made of polypropylene that is ergonomic and anti-slip when held.
Highlighted Features
- The steel rod was made of durable carbon steel and plated with nickel-chrome
- The handle was made of polypropylene that is ergonomic and anti-slip when holding
- Easy to use and clean with a wet cloth
- Require less effort for honing
Pros
- Safe and easy to use
- The handle is designed for right and left handed
- Best for dull knives
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Require to wipe dry completely after washing
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 16.9 x 2.3 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 12 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | carbon steel and coated with nickel-chrome |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
3. Satori Ceramic Sharpening Honing Steel
(Best for Japanese Knife)
Japanese knives are very hard and sharp, so they are hard to hone. Satori Ceramic Sharpening Honing Steel is the one that can hone and sharp all types of knives, even Japanese knives.
The rod was made with the highest quality black ceramic restoring your knife’s edge in just a few strokes. With 10.5 inches in length, it is easy to use and never shatter or break if you drop it from heights between 1.5ft and 3 ft.
The handle was made of craftsman wood for easy-to-grip. It also comes with a stainless steel hook for hanging after using.
Highlighted Features
- The rod was made of high-quality black ceramic
- The handle was made of craftsman wood
- The flush end cap for full use of the rod without butting up against the tip
- Safely hone and sharpen your steel knives
Pros
- Ergonomic grip
- Ceramic rod will help to sharp easier
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Be careful from falling over 3 feet
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 16 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 12.8 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Wood |
| Rod’s Material | Black Ceramic |
| Rod’s Length | 10.5 inches |
4. Mercer Culinary Ceramic Rod Knife Honing Steel
(Best Ceramic)
Mercer Culinary Ceramic Rod Knife Honing Steel is one of the great cooktop-accessories when it comes to helping your knives sharper. If you could look at a dull blade close-up, you would see the cutting edge is thick instead of thin.
The Mercer Culinary will restore the cutting edge to razor sharpness with high performance. The rod was made of ceramic that allows you to hone with less grit.
The handle was made of black polypropylene handle with a ring for easy hanging.
Highlighted Features
- Easy to hone dull blades
- The rod was made of ceramic that allows you to hone
- The handle was made of black polypropylene handle with a ring for easy hanging
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Ceramic rod will help to sharp easier
- The handle is designed for right and left handed
Cons
- None
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 19.1 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | Ceramic |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
5. Victorinox Swiss Army Cutlery Honing Steel
(Best Stainless Steel)
Victorinox Swiss Army Honing Steel is a useful product that can extend the life of your cutlery by honing way. This honing was made of chrome-plated stainless steel with 10 inches in length.
From the small knife to a large butchering knife, this honing steel has all that it takes to give your blade stain resistance and extra hardness.
The handle of this honing steel has a comfortable texture for grip. In addition, it comes with a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and material.
Highlighted Features
- Helps roll the knife’s edge into the original position and maintain its sharp edges
- The rod was made of chrome-plated stainless steel
- Handle design reduces wrist and hand fatigue
- Increases strength & stain-resistance
- Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Textured handle for a comfortable and secure grip no matter the hand size
- Easily wipes clean
- Easy to hone the knife’s edge
Cons
- Cannot hang
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15.2 x 2.3 x 1.8 inches |
| Weight | 8 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | chrome-plated stainless steel |
| Rod’s Length | 10 inches |
6. J.A Henckels International 32547-232 Honing Steel
If you have some knives that are dull or with bent blades, then J.A Henckels International 32547-232 Honing Steel will help you enjoy a great cooking time.
This honing steel was made from the highest quality stainless steel, and this incredible kitchen tool can restore the maximum sharpness to your knife in a matter of seconds.
The handle was made from Smooth polypropylene that ensures a comfortable grip.
Highlighted Features
- Maintains sharp knives between professional sharpenings
- Suitable for all types of knives
- Smooth polypropylene handle
- Easy to use and maintain
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic grip
- Best for dull knives
Cons
- Require to wipe dry completely after washing
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15.6 x 3.2 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | stainless steel |
| Rod’s Length | 9 inches |
7. Zwilling J.A. Henckels 32555-310 Honing Steel
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 32555-310 Honing Steel is one of the best options for home use. This honing steel was made from high-quality aluminum that is sturdy and can not easily break.
The tough synthetic handle was designed for an ergonomic grip and protects the user’s finger. The handle also has a hanging loop for easy storage.
Overall, this is a great honing steel for superior blades and even Japanese knives, which are the hardest knives to hone in the market.
Highlighted Features
- Easy to use and maintain
- Durable because it was made from aluminum alloy.
- The rod is 12 inches in length
- Ergonomic handle with finger guard
- Sharpens and aligns blades
- Easy to store because of the hanging loop
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Can be used with plenty of knives
- Lightweight
- Durable and sturdy
- Easy to clean and use
Cons
- Not a good idea for dull knives
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 18.8 x 4.5 x 1.8 inches |
| Weight | 14.4 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | Aluminum |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
8. Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Honing Steel
Comes with ergonomic design, Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel is an awesome choice for dull blades. It is 12 inches in length and was made from sturdy stainless steel.
Moreover, the handle was made of quality plastic with 5 inches in length, so it is easy and comfortable to grip. With this product, you will sharpen and hone your knives easily with minimal effort.
Besides, this brand honing steel is versatile and easy to maintain.
Highlighted Features
- The stainless steel rod is 12 inches in length
- The plastic handle is 5 inches in length
- Easy to maintain and handy
- Lightweight
Pros
- Spend a minimal effort to hone and sharpen knives
- Easy to use and clean
- Comfortable grip
Cons
- Require to wipe dry completely after washing
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17.5 x 0.5 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 13.6 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic |
| Rod’s Material | Stainless steel |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
9. Green Elephant Ceramic Honing Steel
If you are looking for honing steel that stays with you for long, Green Elephant Ceramic Honing Steel may be the right choice. The hardness of this honing steel is 9 Mohs and offers 1500 grit that makes it more professional.
The rod was made of ceramic for honing effectively and easy, but it must be done correctly for the desired results to occur. The handle was made of durable plastic with silicone seal between the handle and ceramic together for optimum safety and shock absorbent.
This honing steel is also easy to use and maintain. The work you have to do is wash it with light detergent and wipe dry, or air dry completely.
Highlighted Features
- Easy to use and maintain
- Lightweight and comfy
- The rod was made of ceramic with 9 Mohs hardness
- The handle was made of durable plastic
- Increased durability of blades
Pros
- This ceramic sharpener will last for years
- The anti-slip handle
- Can sharpen and hone many types of knives
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Be careful from falling
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 3 x 0.2 x 16.6 inches |
| Weight | 7.2 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic |
| Rod’s Material | Ceramic |
| Rod’s Length | 10.75 inches |
10. Messermeister Ceramic Rod Honing Steel
(Best for Home Use)
Messermeister Ceramic Rod Honing Steel is a high-end quality ceramic honing steel for home use. The rod was made of a combination of industrial strength ceramic on honing steel.
It is 12 inches in length and can help to sharpen and reshape any types of knives. The ergonomic handle provides a very secure grip.
The ergonomic handle comes with a hook ring for easy to hang after use.
Highlighted Features
- Easy to use
- The rod was made of 1200 grit ceramic
- Sharpens and reshape your blade
- The soft-grip, ergonomic handle
- Strong enough to withstand rigors sharpening
- Durable and lightweight
- Can be in any kinds of knives
Pros
- Durable and easy to use
- The anti-slip handle
- Increased durability of blades
Cons
- Be careful with ceramic
- Hand wash only
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 18.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic |
| Rod’s Material | Ceramic |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
11. Noble Home & Chef Honing Steel
Noble Home & Chef Honing Steel will be all your need to hone and reshape the bent or dull blades. Normally, when you hone your knives, it can cause the tiny metal girts from your blade.
This honing steel was born to prevent it from landing on your nearby foods by magnetized features. The rod was made of the hardened carbon steel that is chrome-plated that can prevent rust and corrosion.
The handle is oval for easy grip. It comes with various styles: 3-Pin, 3-Stripe, Luxury, Silver End.
This honing steel is dishwasher safe. However, it is not necessary to wash after use. You can clean it with a wet cloth and air dry completely.
Highlighted Features
- Durable and Sturdy
- Chromium-plated carbon steel rod for preventing against corrosion and rust
- The oval handle allows for a handy, firm grip for honing safety
- Dishwasher Safe
- Easy to use and maintenance
Pros
- Elegant design
- The handle comes with various styles: 3-Pin, 3-Stripe, Luxury, Silver End.
- Not necessary to wash after use
Cons
- Need to request shipping carefully
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 14.8 x 1.8 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | 12.6 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic and Steel |
| Rod’s Material | Chromium-plated carbon steel |
| Rod’s Length | 10 inches |
12. Buck Knives 97082 EdgeTek Honing Steel
Buck Knives 97082 EdgeTek Honing Steel is the best honing steel to use for the outdoors. The rod was made of durable steel with a 100 percent diamond-coated sharpening surface with tri-sided grit.
This honing steel is 15.75 inches, and the handle is 5.75 inches for easy to grip. Moreover, it is lightweight for carrying around and sharpening or reshaping some projects outdoors.
Highlighted Features
- The rod was coated 100 percent diamond sharpening surface with tri-sided grit
- Contoured Polypropylene handle with handguard
- The black handle has a hole for easy hanging
- Lightweight and easy to use
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Versatile
- Long handle for easy grip
Cons
- Design for professional only
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 13.4 x 2.9 x 2.2 inches |
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Polypropylene |
| Rod’s Material | Diamond-plated steel |
| Rod’s Length | 10 inches |
13. Kota Japan Diamond Honing Steel
Kota Japan Diamond Honing Steel was state-of-the-art manufactured for professionals. So it is very useful for sharpening and reshaping dull knives and tools.
Comes with 12 inches in length, it is sturdy and durable because of diamond electroplates. So you can easily sharpen tool steel, ceramics, sharpen carbide, titanium, and most any super hard material.
The handle has a nice design and is easy-to-grip. The rod is an oval that gives you an area to hone with minimal effort.
The handle equips a hole for hanging easier.
Highlighted Features
- State-of-the-art manufacturing for precision home, hunting or kitchen blade sharpening.
- The rod was electroplated diamond
- The handle is easy-to-grip
- Equips a hole for hanging easily
- Lifetime warranty
Pros
- Easy to use
- Efficient with dull or bent blades
- Easy-to-hold handle
Cons
- The diamond coating has a limit lifespan
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 17.1 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic |
| Rod’s Material | Diamond-electroplated steel |
| Rod’s Length | 12 inches |
14. Wüsthof Knife Honing Steel
When that time comes that you need to touch up the sharp edge, Wüsthof Knife Honing Steel will be a good partner for you. The honing steel’s rod is 10 inches in length that can provide a platform surface for sharpening your favorite knives.
Besides, the rod was made of magnetic steel that attracts metal fibers far away from nearby foods. The handle was made of anti-slip plastic that fits comfortably in both left or right handed.
It is easy to clean too. You don’t have to wash it regularly after using it. All the work you need to do is using a damp cloth and wipe away the grit.
Highlighted Features
- 10 inches sharpening steel
- Hanging ring on the handle for ha so can attract metal fibers
- The anti-slip plastic handle is suitable for easy-to-grip
- Easy to clean with a wet cloth after sharpen
Pros
- Elegant design
- Easy to use and clean
- Firm handle for easy to grip
Cons
- Made in China
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 14 x 2 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 9.8 ounces |
| Handle’s Material | Plastic |
| Rod’s Material | Magnetic steel |
| Rod’s Length | 10 inches |
15. TUO Honing Steel
TUO Honing Steel is a cooktop tool from the TUO Cutlery Fiery Phoenix series. The rod was made of durable steel that ensures to keep our edge perfectly aligned and in peak form.
It is 9 inches in length, so that is a great ideal for almost all types of your knives without getting cumbersome or poking too far out of your knife bag or woodblock.
The handle is very sleek and luxurious. It was made of Pakkawood that has sourced from Africa for comfort to grip.
This brand offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Highlighted Features
- Comes with a durable rod with 9 inches in length
- The handle is very sleek and luxurious
- Offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee
- Easy to use and maintain
Pros
- Comes with an elegant box
- Has a luxurious design
- Easy to handle and use
Cons
- Quite expensive
Product Specifications
| Product Dimension | 15.3 x 3.6 x 1.6 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Handle’s Material | Wood |
| Rod’s Material | Steel |
| Rod’s Length | 9 inches |
Buying Guides
A honing steel will be a great tool if you choose a suitable one for your purpose. So it is the reason that I’m going to present to you some friendly buying guides that can help you to make a good decision.
Rod’s Material
The honing steel comes in a wide amount of materials for you to choose. Each material always has some Pros and Cons.
Such as the smooth steel is easy to sharpen and is recommended for home use. However, it is not sturdy to sharpen a Japanese knife.
Vice versa, ceramic honing steel is the perfect choice for Japanese knives because of a slight sharpening effect. However, it is easy to break if you are not careful when using it.
The diamond-electroplated rod is a wonderful option for all types of knives. It will help your blade’s edge be sharp in a few strokes.
However, the diamond-electroplated will be abrasive after using it for many times.
Handle’s Design
A handle that has a sleek design must be comfortable for easy to grip. Some honing steel models have an ergonomic handle that is suitable for both left or right handed perfectly and it requires minimal effort for honing.
Rod Length
The length of your honing steel will determine the size of your knives for honing. Most popular honing steels come with 9 inches to 12 inches in rod’s length and it is fitting for almost home use knives.
Ease to Use
Some honing steels are designed for all users, and others for professionals only. Depending on your sharpening skill, you can select the one that is suitable for you.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If you do not maintain your honing steel, it can’t be used for the next time. The grit and dust that are clogged inside the gap of the rod will make your honing steel works in low performance.
Therefore, maintenance and cleaning are very important. Some models require cleaning with a wet cloth and air dry after use or dishwasher safe. So it does not take you more time to clean it.
Some models require maintenance annually to enhance its performance.
The maintenance depends on the honing steel material. The ceramic is harder to maintain than diamond and steel. But it does not require regular maintenance.
FAQs
My Top Pick
Exceptional quality materials, sleek design, and dedicated craftsmanship make Satori Ceramic Sharpening Honing Steel becomes My Top Pick. The rod was made of black ceramic and the handle was made by craftsman wood. This design is charming my heart.
If you think My Top 15 Best Honing Steel Review is helpful, you can share it with your friends, colleagues, family members. Or you can leave your comment here to know more information about your favorite product.
