The Top 5 Best Sharpening Steel Available to Help You Save a Buck Reviewed 2024

Knives lose their sharpness over time. So many have resorted to buying knives, using them until they become dull, and then discarding them. The best sharpening steel rods come in different shapes and designs. 

Hence, you need an in-depth review of the best products on the market. We will provide you with all you need to know to make an informed buying decision.

The Top 5 Best Sharpening Steel in 2024

Below are some of the most talked-about sharpening steel rods – Review 2024

1. Green Elephant Ceramic Sharpening Rod

This ceramic sharpening rod is one of the best sharpening rods on the market. It is comfortable to use, and with minimal effort, you can keep your knives sharp. When sharpening, it not only helps realign the knife’s edge, but it sharpens it by removing small amounts of steel, which can be visibly seen on the ceramic edge. It is one of the best honing steel rods on the market.

It is suitable for sharpening pocket knives and knives up to the length of 10 carving inches. It is lightweight, with a unique design that you are sure to enjoy as you sharpen your knives. It is easy to clean, and it also comes with an exclusive shock-absorbing feature that protects the knife if you accidentally drop it. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

With a rock well value of 70, this sharpening steel is one of the hardest you can find around. Despite its ceramic material, there is no risk of shattering, even if dropped from a height of 3 feet. It is an affordable, durable, and high-quality sharpening rod.

2. Messermeister Ceramic Rod Knife Sharpener

This sharpening rod is also another great ceramic-based sharpening steel tool. It is also a safe choice; about 12 inches in length, this ceramic sharpening steel is versatile, as it can be used with a variety of knives, especially long ones. 

Made from 1200-grit industrial ceramic, it can be easily maintained. It is made from a mixture of industrial-grade ceramic; this sharpening steel will align and perfectly hone your blades. Cleaning it is also not a big deal; if its surface gets clogged after prolonged use, using hot soapy water with a clean damp cloth. That will do the trick. 

The tool is slightly abrasive, and you can be sure it will provide you with that clean, perfect-looking finishing you desire. However, be careful not to hone rashly, as it tends to take the edge off your steel knives after some time. 

It is recommended that it be used as a short-term option, probably every two weeks. Due to its ceramic nature, it is also very fragile, so you have to be careful not to drop it carelessly. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

All in all, this is another great option for sharpening your knife collection or any other similar cutting device. It might be a little pricey, but you do not want to compromise on quality. Care should be taken when handling this sharpening rod. It is a fragile tool.

3. Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel

Compared to other rods in this category, this stainless sharpening steel tool is very affordable. Browsing through stores or online platforms and seeing its price may make you wonder about its quality. 

But do not be deceived. It offers much more value than its price indicates. If you have issues with your knife smoothly cutting through tomatoes or meat, then you can grab this tool and quickly sharpen your blade. This is your best bet for the price. Although there is nothing unique about its appearance, it does its work well. 

It features a plastic handle with a hanging loop, and the plastic handle allows for a more comfortable grip. The loop allows you to hang it in a suitable place. It is also stainless steel, about 12 inches in length, and so it is ideal for long knives.  

The rod is large and heavy, so it might not be a walk in the park sharpening blades. It is, however, not a tool you would find in an industrial toolbox. If you are expecting a razor-sharp edge after using this tool, you may be disappointed. You might have to settle for purchasing a diamond-edge sharpening steel tool or another tool with better grit. 

This tool is very easy to clean; all you have to do is wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth. For the price, this is an excellent buy. There are no compromises on quality in any way.

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

As for this tool, its low price may make many want to brush it aside. When going for tools like this, quality should be the main point for consideration. It gets the job done, and it is the desired length for most knives. However, it is not considered a professional tool; so, if you need to get some labor-intensive honing done, this sharpening rod may not be your guy.

4. Smith’s 3001 Diamond Sharpening Steel

If you are looking for one of the best diamond sharpening steel rods on the market to give your blade the cutting edge you need, then you are reading the right review. With a length of more than 15 inches, this sharpener will handle even your longest knives. 

Made with tiny diamond particles, this sharpener will hone your dullest blade to near perfection. It also comes with a handle that allows for a firm grip. While you sharpen your blades, you won’t risk them slipping and injuring you in the process. 

It also comes with a hang-up ring, which makes storing easier. Its plastic sharpening tip protects the counter while sharpening. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The diamond sharpening rod is known for its abrasive nature, and with a length of more than 15 inches, it can sharpen even the longest of knives. It also has a hanging ring for easy access. However, certain users have mentioned its coarseness. It may leave your knife edges serrated.

5. Diamond Steel 12 inch

If you are looking for the best diamond sharpening rod made from the best materials, one that perfectly fits your need for affordability and quality, then this one is perfect for you. The DMT brand is one of the best in the market when it comes to diamond sharpening technology. 

The diamonds are thoroughly placed in the rod, and they are more concentrated than in most other brands. Users have spoken about the rod’s excellent quality. With a 12-inch length and the availability of different inches (lengths such as ten and even 14 inches), the manufacturer has catered to consumers’ various needs. 

This sharpening rod allows for versatility, as it can be used for kitchen knives, outdoor knives, and sporting knives. For experienced users, this tool is highly recommended. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

This is also another diamond sharpening steel from the DMT family. It comes with a warranty in the case of a compromise in quality from the manufacturer. It has a great design that still allows for durability. It is not ideal for new users, as it requires a bit of training before use. 

Finally, are sharpening steel rods that good?

You have probably seen the celebrity chefs on TV and butchers at the meat stall filing their knives with these devices. You might have wondered what they are and where someone can get them. I bet you don’t even know some companies add sharpening steel rods to their knife sets. 

You might have even thrown them away, as you probably do not know what they are used for. Well, that is fine; the deed has been done, so do not beat yourself up. Many people have done the same thing. Many folks are perplexed about how a simple steel rod can sharpen a knife. 

These miniature utensils do not even come with instructions, but it is assumed that using them the right way will give your knives the sharp edge you desire. It is labor-intensive using a dull knife; you are likely to get injured using such knives. 

This review will guide you in selecting the best products on the market, and it will help you get value for your money spent. 

How do you use one? 

As mentioned earlier, sharpening steel rods are used to keep your knives sharp. They do this by realigning the edge of the blade. When you are sharpening a worn-out blade, you remove the worn-out material and create a new, sharp edge. 

At this point, it is crucial to state the difference between sharpening steel and the sharpening stones we have all around. These sharpening stones sharpen the already dull edges of a knife; they help restore an old edge’s sharpness. Sharpening steel rods hone the edges of blades until new sides are created.

Blades are made up of top-quality steel, and the good ones can hold an edge for some time. Due to prolonged use, they will eventually turn dull, so you need to maintain the original cutting quality by using a good sharpening steel.  

Buying Guide – What to look out for when buying sharpening steel

You have to look out for some basics. Some conditions need to be satisfied before you finally settle for one. Cutting through materials with a blunt knife can be very dangerous, as a blunt knife could cause you to apply more pressure, which can injure your fingers. Hence, we shall be highlighting some of the considerations in this section. 

The Length of the Sharpening Surface

One of the factors to consider when choosing sharpening steel is certainly its length. The idea behind this is elementary. The longer it is, the more efficient it is, as there is a longer runway to run the knife. In this context, the general rule is to go for the sharpening steel, which is at least a few inches longer than your longest knife.

The approximate 12-inch length is recommended, so the sharpening steel would be easy to handle. Contact with the surface beneath is minimized. Safety is a priority here. The length to go for should be determined by the length of your longest knife. 

The Material of the Rod

The common materials used in making sharpening steel are ceramic, steel, and diamonds. The steel rods are a fantastic choice, and they are well suited for use in the kitchen. They come with round or square edges, or smooth or ridged in some other instances. 

Irrespective of the outer material, the core is metallic. This is to ensure the sharpening rod is strong. The abrasiveness of sharpening steel depends on the material used in the coating. Sharpening steel comes in different grit levels for various sharpening needs. 

A diamond sharpening steel is ideal for more intense activity, which is why they are well suited for the butcher’s job. They can otherwise be an odd choice for regular honing as the diamond coating gradually chips off with prolonged use. 

Lastly are ceramic rods. These are also an excellent option for use when sharpening kitchen knives. However, a significant downside is that it can break if you are not careful with them. Ceramic sharpening rods offer a slight sharpening edge, and they are gentle so as not to tamper with your blade in any way. 

The Ease of Cleaning

This can be a surprising factor; after all, what can be challenging to clean sharpen steel rods?  The sharpening steel should be on standby for use at any point. You want to be able to grab your sharpening steel at any moment and file away. 

So why would you not settle for that which is very easy to clean? You simply wipe it off with the kitchen towel or a clean cloth, and you are ready to go.  Not wiping your sharpening steel regularly or getting one that is difficult to clean will get cause it to get clogged up with annoying small metal particles. This will make the sharpening steel lose its edge in no time. 

A slip-resistant, easy-to-grip handle

As mentioned earlier, when using sharpening steel, safety comes first. It is ideal for the best sharpening steel rods to have the right amount of thickness to allow for a firm grip. It should rest comfortably in your hand when you are holding it. 

We do not want this utensil slipping off unnecessarily when in use. A good handle will make the whole process of sharpening easier. The weight of the sharpening steel is another factor that should be considered. You should only purchase sharpening steel with a strength you can work with. 

The blade hardness

Before finally settling on any sharpening rod, the hardness of your knives should be a priority. You do not want to use abrasive sharpening steel for soft knife blades. For hard blades, you should go for the most abrasive varieties. They are better suited.

Price

This is an integral factor that will influence your decision. Note that price does not necessarily tell you the difference between the right product and a bad one. That an item is expensive does not make it a good buy. 

Do not compromise on quality or choose to go the way of money over quality. Buying good quality products is one of the best ways of saving money, as you will not have to replace products that get damaged easily. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is sharpening steel? 

This is a professional tool that is increasingly gaining popularity for its use in getting knives and similar cutting utensils sharper. Many people have been oblivious of its use in the past, although some brands have stood out due to their durable nature and reliability. 

Most are designed for everyday kitchen use. However, many have found their way into professional toolboxes due to their abrasiveness and versatility in sharpening different cutting tool lengths. 

Can a knife be too dull to sharpen? 

A knife can never be too dull to resist sharpening. The dull edges have to be sharpened to create new layers of steel underneath. The tool improves the knife’s effectiveness. There are electric sharpeners known to remove bluntness no matter the level on any knife. 

Why is my knife not sharpening? 

This might be due to many reasons. Besides making use of the wrong sharpener, you might be sharpening using a steep angle that is not effective. When sharpening, the angle is critical. If you try to sharpen at a high steep angle, the edges of your knife could blunt quickly. 

Can my stainless-steel knife be sharpened? 

Many do not think this is possible, but stainless-steel knives can be sharpened using various sharpening tools, such as electric and manual sharpeners and whetstones. 

Conclusion

After buying the right set of knives and the best sharpening steel to go with it, it is ideal you maintain its proper shape the right way. Follow the appropriate sharpening steps, and make sure you hone your blade as frequently as possible for maximum efficiency when using them. 

This review aims to help you make better and informed buying decisions when you go shopping for your knives’ ideal sharpening rod. The different materials possible for use in its manufacture have been highlighted, and five (5) out of the best products available on the market were reviewed with distinct pros and cons.