Both professional and home knives need to be regularly sharpened and honed so that you can use them to cut anything seamlessly.
It’s no surprise that dull knives come with a threat of cutting our hands. You will end up placing your fingers in risky and unwanted positions because of the knife’s dullness. A sharp knife is important–not only for perfect cuts but also to protect yourself.
The best tool for sharpening and honing your knives are ceramic honing rods. There are diamond and steel honing rods available on the market, but they do not give you the professional experience of a ceramic honing tool. To top it off, honing with such rods adds to your style quotient as well.
An excellent ceramic blade sharpener should have top-of-the-line durability and sharpening efficiency. That is what makes it stand out among all the other sharpening tools. The Green Elephant Ceramic Sharpening Rod does just that and much more.
Made from the best quality ceramic available on the market, this ceramic honing rod has an SGS tested hardness of 9 Mohs and a Rockwell hardness over 100. With the right care, this will last you a decade.
This knife sharpener has a grit of 1500, which is ideal for honing and realigning any kind of professional kitchen knife. Only 5-10 strokes after 1 hour of knife usage are enough to maintain peak performance of the knife blade.
Considering how fragile the ceramic material is, a silicone seal is placed between the ceramic rod and the handle to absorb the extra vibration. This unique vibration-absorbent ergonomic design protects the honing rod so that it does not shatter when dropped.
If after regular usage, the honing tool feels dirty, you can wash it with a regular detergent and air dry it.
Product Specifications:
Mercer Culinary is an established brand in the culinary world with products ranging from knife sets, spatulas, bar and kitchen tools to kitchen apparel, storage solutions, and accessories. They maintain the highest standards in the industry. The ceramic knife honing rod from the Mercer Culinary store is no exception.
Built for professional-grade knives, this 12-inch rod sharpens any kind of knife in no time. Be it Japanese or European knives, this knife sharpener rod works efficiently on both, maintaining their desired sharpening angle. There is a 10-inch ceramic rod model as well.
The rod has a black polypropylene handle, so it’s easy to handle and less prone to breakage. Plus, the handle has a ring attached to it for hanging in the kitchen.
This ceramic rod is extremely lightweight at only 0.6 pounds. Mercer produces both German stainless steel rods and Diamond rods. However, the ceramic rod is as good as both of them.
Product Specifications:
This 11.5-inch professional ceramic honing rod is made of top-quality Japanese ceramic material aided by special sintering technology. It has a hardness of 8 Mohs and a Rockwell hardness of over 100. Thanks to its hardness and intrinsic quality, it can withstand years of professional use. The ceramic material is non-toxic, odorless, and can prevent both bacteria and rust formation. Plus, it has high accuracy and low thermal conductivity.
The sharpening rod has a safe and simple design with no plastic or rubber end. This ensures that your knife doesn’t get damaged during honing – not even accidentally. You can trust this tool with your most precious knives.
A standout feature of this ceramic sharpening tool is its two grit options. This single rod has two separate strategically placed grits to cover all your sharpening needs. This adequately demonstrates the difference between sharpening and honing a knife.
The lined or stropped 2000 grit surface is for sharpening a very dull knife, where a large amount of metal pieces from the knife is scraped off. On the other hand, the 3000 grit is for finishing the blade edge and for honing the most delicate knives, all the while avoiding any kind of metal scraping.
The handle has an ergonomic grip and comes equipped with a stainless steel ring so that you can hang it anywhere in the kitchen at your convenience.
Despite being loaded with features, the honing rod is lightweight. This ensures that you don’t experience fatigue in case of repeated use.
Product Specifications:
The Sharpal Professional Ceramic Knife Honing Rod is made of the highest grade wear-resistant ceramic material, which is significantly harder than steel honing rods. At 9 Mohs, the ceramic material is close to diamond in terms of hardness and is ideal for your most valuable knives.
This honing rod has a 3000 grit surface, apt for honing the highest quality professional-grade knives. Unlike other sharpening rods, it does not scrape off metal particles from the knives. Instead, the superfine surface returns the bent knife edge to its original position and keeps it in its ideal angle.
The ceramic rod is protected by a removable rubber cap so that the surface does not get chipped or nicked even when dropped. The rubber protection also prevents any kind of scratches.
The handle is ergonomically designed so that you get a perfect grip on the rod. It also features an oversized hand guard to prevent the rod from slipping. In addition to this, a built-in hole in the handle allows you to hang the rod in the kitchen.
To top it off, this knife honing rod is covered by a three-year warranty and superior after-sales service.
Product Specifications:
The Dekean Ceramic honing rod is made from a hard and durable ceramic material and quality casting technology. Rust formation is negated and the hardness makes it ideal for steel knives.
The ceramic rod is equipped with two different grit options. The 1000 grit is ideal for sharpening a dull knife whereas the 2000 grit works best for sharpening and honing professional kitchen knives.
Thanks to the two grit options, this Dekean honing rod is versatile. It is suitable for a large range of knives including carving knives, kitchen knives, fruit knives, chef knives, and cartilage knives.
The ceramic rod does not have any kind of plastic or rubber edge protector, thereby putting your professional knife at risk of accidental damage during honing.
The black-coated handle of the rod is wide enough for hassle-free handling. It sits well in hand and minimizes any chance of slipping. The handle has a built-in hole, which can be used to hang the rod in the kitchen.
This honing rod can be easily washed with dish soap and a sponge. Simply rinse with water and it’ll be good to go for the next use.
Since the ceramic material is prone to breakage, the honing rod should be kept stable during use and care should be taken to avoid drops or falls.
Product Specifications:
READ MORE: Ceramic vs Stainless Steel Cookware
What To Look For in the Best Ceramic Honing Rod
When searching for the right ceramic honing rod for your needs, look for the following qualities:Ceramic Grit
The grit should be over 2000 to qualify as a good ceramic honing rod. The best ones usually have a ceramic grit of 3000 or more. The more the grit is, the smoother the surface will be, leading to less metal scraping and metal dust generation.Hardness
The ceramic rod should be hard – the best have a hardness of 8-9 Mohs. A harder ceramic material will make it easier to hone the hardest professional kitchen knives. Ideally, the Rockwell hardness should be over 100.Handle grip
The ceramic material might be hard but it can easily get damaged or broken. Therefore, it is important to make sure the handle has a compatible grip.Protecting cover
Owing to the nature of ceramic material, it is important that it has a detachable protective covering. Any permanent cap can accidentally damage your blade.Ring for hanging
The best ceramic honing rods usually have a ring to hang in the kitchen. Make sure your honing rod has one too. Now that you have an idea of what a perfect ceramic honing rod should look like, let’s look at the best ceramic honing rods available on the market:1. Green Elephant Ceramic Sharpening Rod
An excellent ceramic blade sharpener should have top-of-the-line durability and sharpening efficiency. That is what makes it stand out among all the other sharpening tools. The Green Elephant Ceramic Sharpening Rod does just that and much more.
Made from the best quality ceramic available on the market, this ceramic honing rod has an SGS tested hardness of 9 Mohs and a Rockwell hardness over 100. With the right care, this will last you a decade.
This knife sharpener has a grit of 1500, which is ideal for honing and realigning any kind of professional kitchen knife. Only 5-10 strokes after 1 hour of knife usage are enough to maintain peak performance of the knife blade.
Considering how fragile the ceramic material is, a silicone seal is placed between the ceramic rod and the handle to absorb the extra vibration. This unique vibration-absorbent ergonomic design protects the honing rod so that it does not shatter when dropped.
If after regular usage, the honing tool feels dirty, you can wash it with a regular detergent and air dry it.
Product Specifications:
- 11-inch shatterproof honing rod
- 9 Mohs hardness (SGS tested)
- Grit of 1500
- Dimensions: 3 x 0.2 x 16.6 inches
- Weighs 0.45 pounds
Pros
Pros
- Unique vibration-absorbent design
- Silicone seal and plastic cap to protect when dropped
- Highest grade ceramic with a hardness of 9 Mohs
- Seamless sharpening with 1500 grit
- Lightweight and comfortable handle to ease the honing process
Cons
Cons
- Only 80% survival rate over a 3 feet drop
- Bending the rod might damage the shatterproof design
2. Mercer Culinary Ceramic Knife Honing Steel
Mercer Culinary is an established brand in the culinary world with products ranging from knife sets, spatulas, bar and kitchen tools to kitchen apparel, storage solutions, and accessories. They maintain the highest standards in the industry. The ceramic knife honing rod from the Mercer Culinary store is no exception.
Built for professional-grade knives, this 12-inch rod sharpens any kind of knife in no time. Be it Japanese or European knives, this knife sharpener rod works efficiently on both, maintaining their desired sharpening angle. There is a 10-inch ceramic rod model as well.
The rod has a black polypropylene handle, so it’s easy to handle and less prone to breakage. Plus, the handle has a ring attached to it for hanging in the kitchen.
This ceramic rod is extremely lightweight at only 0.6 pounds. Mercer produces both German stainless steel rods and Diamond rods. However, the ceramic rod is as good as both of them.
Product Specifications:
- Weighs 0.6 pounds
- Dimensions: 19.13 x 4.5 x 1.13 inches
- Available in black and white
- Black polypropylene handle
- 10-inch or 12-inch rod length
Pros
Pros
- International standard product from Mercer Culinary
- Two different lengths to choose from
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Durable handle
Cons
Cons
- Ceramic material is a bit coarse
3. Noble Home & Chef Professional Ceramic Honing Rod
This 11.5-inch professional ceramic honing rod is made of top-quality Japanese ceramic material aided by special sintering technology. It has a hardness of 8 Mohs and a Rockwell hardness of over 100. Thanks to its hardness and intrinsic quality, it can withstand years of professional use. The ceramic material is non-toxic, odorless, and can prevent both bacteria and rust formation. Plus, it has high accuracy and low thermal conductivity.
The sharpening rod has a safe and simple design with no plastic or rubber end. This ensures that your knife doesn’t get damaged during honing – not even accidentally. You can trust this tool with your most precious knives.
A standout feature of this ceramic sharpening tool is its two grit options. This single rod has two separate strategically placed grits to cover all your sharpening needs. This adequately demonstrates the difference between sharpening and honing a knife.
The lined or stropped 2000 grit surface is for sharpening a very dull knife, where a large amount of metal pieces from the knife is scraped off. On the other hand, the 3000 grit is for finishing the blade edge and for honing the most delicate knives, all the while avoiding any kind of metal scraping.
The handle has an ergonomic grip and comes equipped with a stainless steel ring so that you can hang it anywhere in the kitchen at your convenience.
Despite being loaded with features, the honing rod is lightweight. This ensures that you don’t experience fatigue in case of repeated use.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17 x 1.85 x 1.5 inches
- Weighs 0.706 pounds
- 2000 and 3000 grit options
- 11.5-inch rod length
Pros
Pros
- Two separate grit options for blunt and professional kitchen knives
- Adequate hardness
- Oval ergonomic handle for a strong grip
- Includes stainless steel ring for convenience
- Odorless, non-toxic, bacteria repelling ceramic material
Cons
Cons
- No protective rubber or plastic edge covering; might break if dropped
4. SHARPAL 121H 3000 Grit Professional Ceramic Rod Knife Sharpening Honing Steel
The Sharpal Professional Ceramic Knife Honing Rod is made of the highest grade wear-resistant ceramic material, which is significantly harder than steel honing rods. At 9 Mohs, the ceramic material is close to diamond in terms of hardness and is ideal for your most valuable knives.
This honing rod has a 3000 grit surface, apt for honing the highest quality professional-grade knives. Unlike other sharpening rods, it does not scrape off metal particles from the knives. Instead, the superfine surface returns the bent knife edge to its original position and keeps it in its ideal angle.
The ceramic rod is protected by a removable rubber cap so that the surface does not get chipped or nicked even when dropped. The rubber protection also prevents any kind of scratches.
The handle is ergonomically designed so that you get a perfect grip on the rod. It also features an oversized hand guard to prevent the rod from slipping. In addition to this, a built-in hole in the handle allows you to hang the rod in the kitchen.
To top it off, this knife honing rod is covered by a three-year warranty and superior after-sales service.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches
- Made of white pure ceramic
- Rod length: 10 inches
- Weighs 0.556 pounds
- 3000 ceramic grit
- 9 Mohs hardness
- 10-inch rod length
Pros
Pros
- Hard ceramic material
- Delicate honing with 3000 grit
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
- Slip-resistant handle with oversized handguard
- Removable rubber cap for better protection
Cons
Cons
- No separate ring for hanging
- Rod length is shorter than most
5. DEKEAN Ceramic Honing Rod
The Dekean Ceramic honing rod is made from a hard and durable ceramic material and quality casting technology. Rust formation is negated and the hardness makes it ideal for steel knives.
The ceramic rod is equipped with two different grit options. The 1000 grit is ideal for sharpening a dull knife whereas the 2000 grit works best for sharpening and honing professional kitchen knives.
Thanks to the two grit options, this Dekean honing rod is versatile. It is suitable for a large range of knives including carving knives, kitchen knives, fruit knives, chef knives, and cartilage knives.
The ceramic rod does not have any kind of plastic or rubber edge protector, thereby putting your professional knife at risk of accidental damage during honing.
The black-coated handle of the rod is wide enough for hassle-free handling. It sits well in hand and minimizes any chance of slipping. The handle has a built-in hole, which can be used to hang the rod in the kitchen.
This honing rod can be easily washed with dish soap and a sponge. Simply rinse with water and it’ll be good to go for the next use.
Since the ceramic material is prone to breakage, the honing rod should be kept stable during use and care should be taken to avoid drops or falls.
Product Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 2.95 x 1.02 inches
- Weighs 0.394 pounds
- 10-inch rod length
- 1000 and 2000 grit options
Pros
Pros
- Multipurpose use with two separate grit options
- Apt for both home use and professional use
- Lightest on the list
- Easy-to-grip handle
Cons
Cons
- Doesn’t have a 3000 grit option
Final Verdict
The above five best ceramic honing rods have been hand-picked by us for their usability, efficiency, and durability. Remember:- The third and fourth are professional-grade ceramic honing rods. They can be used with Japanese as well as European knives.
- For casual use at home, any one of the above will work. You will need to hone your knife a couple of times a year.
- If weight is a factor for you, the fifth one is the lightest. Alternatively, you can choose the first and the fourth ones as well.
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