Best Sharpening Steels of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025

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Sharpening steels are essential tools for maintaining the sharpness of knives and other cutting tools. They consist of a long, cylindrical rod made of hardened steel that is used to realign the blade's edge. Sharpening steels come in different sizes, shapes, and materials, each with its own unique features and benefits. They are highly effective in removing the burrs and nicks that can dull knife blades, ensuring that they remain sharp and ready for use at all times. Sharpening steels are a must-have for chefs, butchers, and anyone who uses knives regularly.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Kimura 10 Inch Carbon Steel Honing Rod Cover #TOP 1
Kimura 10 Inch Carbon Steel Honing Rod
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Vogue Professional Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 30.5cm Cover #TOP 2
Vogue Professional Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 30.5cm
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Victorinox 25cm Black/Silver Sharpening Steel Cover #TOP 3
Victorinox 25cm Black/Silver Sharpening Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Sharpening Steels

Kimura 10 Inch Carbon Steel Honing Rod

Sharpening Steel
Kimura 10 Inch Carbon Steel Honing Rod Cover
Kimura Professional Honing Steel, 10 inch Honing Rod, Carbon Steel Knife Sharpener, Magnetized Steel, Ergonomic & Balanced Polypropylene Handle, Ideal for All Chef Knives, Japanese Gift Box

The Kimura Honing Rod is crafted from premium carbon steel, featuring a grooved surface and a unique chromium plating for added durability. Its magnetised design enhances safety, ensuring your knives stay securely in place while sharpening. The ergonomic polypropylene handle provides a non-slip grip, making it comfortable for you to use during honing. This versatile tool accommodates various kitchen knife sizes and shapes, allowing you to maintain the sharpness of all your chef knives with ease.

What We Like
Premium carbon steel construction
Ergonomic, non-slip handle
Versatile for different knife types
Magnetised for safety
#TOP 2

Vogue Professional Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 30.5cm

Vogue
12466
Black
12(L)"
Vogue Professional Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 30.5cm Cover
Vogue Professional Honing Steel Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 30.5cm / 12 inch, Rockwell Hardness 99°, Microcrystalline Diamond Surface, Hanging Hook Storage | D161

The Vogue Diamond Sharpening Steel is designed to keep your knives razor sharp with its microcrystalline diamond surface, allowing you to sharpen your blades effortlessly in just a few strokes. This tool ensures improved performance and reliability, helping your knives last longer and perform at their best. Its ergonomic design offers a comfortable grip, making it safe and easy to use. Moreover, the convenient hanging hook allows for space-saving storage in your kitchen, keeping it within reach whenever you need it.

What We Like
Effortless sharpening
Improves knife performance
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Space-saving storage
Versatile for all knife types
#TOP 3

Victorinox 25cm Black/Silver Sharpening Steel

7.8303
Black/Silver
Victorinox 25cm Black/Silver Sharpening Steel Cover
Victorinox - Sharpening Steel 25cm Black/Silver

The Victorinox Sharpening Steel is a high-quality kitchen tool designed with Swiss craftsmanship. Its round form allows for easy handling, making it simple for you to maintain the sharpness of your knives. With a length of 25cm, it provides ample reach to sharpen various blade sizes effectively. This sharpening steel is essential for ensuring your knives remain in top condition, enhancing your cooking experience and ensuring safety while slicing through your ingredients.

What We Like
Swiss craftsmanship quality
Easy to handle
Effective knife maintenance
Suitable for various blade sizes
#TOP 4

Vogue Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 10 Inch

Vogue
12322
Black
10(L)"
Vogue Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 10 Inch Cover
Vogue Diamond Knife Sharpening Steel 25.5 cm/10 inch, Black, Material: Diamond Steel, Microcrystalline Surface Produces Precise Sharp Results, Rockwell 99 degree Hardness Rating, CC199

The Vogue Diamond Sharpening Steel offers exceptional sharpening performance with its microcrystalline diamond surface. This feature ensures your knives maintain a fine edge, making meal preparation easier and more efficient. With just a few strokes, you can achieve a perfectly straight and sharp knife edge, saving you both time and effort. Its ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip, enhancing safety during use. Additionally, the convenient hooked handle allows for easy storage on a rack or hook, keeping your kitchen organised.

What We Like
Premium sharpening performance
Quick and effective sharpening
Comfortable ergonomic design
Convenient storage option

Zwilling 26 cm Diamond Coated Sharpening Steel

1001773
Black, Silver
35mm x 51mm
Zwilling 26 cm Diamond Coated Sharpening Steel Cover
Zwilling Sharpening Steel with Diamond Coating, Oval, Length: 26 cm, Black Plastic Handle with Hanging Eyelet,Black, Silver

The Zwilling Sharpening Steel is designed to restore the original cutting performance of your knives quickly. Its diamond-coated surface ensures a particularly fine sharpening result, making it easier for you to achieve the precision you desire. You will appreciate the easy handling, which allows for a smooth and efficient sharpening process. Additionally, the plastic handle features a suspension eye, providing convenient storage options when not in use.

What We Like
Quickly restores knife performance
Achieves fine sharpening results
Easy to handle
Convenient storage option

ECENCE Professional Knife Sharpening Steel

4260545437990
Silver
39cm
ECENCE Professional Knife Sharpening Steel Cover
ECENCE Sharpening Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Stainless Steel (65HRC), Honing Steel Knife Sharpener

The ECENCE Knife Sharpener ensures your knives remain permanently sharp, thanks to its robust hardened steel construction. This high-quality sharpener allows you to effortlessly slice through meat and vegetables, making cooking a breeze. With its durable design, you can enjoy long-lasting sharpness and performance. It is versatile enough to sharpen various blades, from everyday kitchen knives to premium Damascus knives, catering to all your culinary needs.

What We Like
Permanently sharp knives
Effortless cutting
Durable and long-lasting
Versatile for all knife types
#TOP 7

Victorinox Round Finecut Butcher Sharpening Steel

7.8513
Multicoloured
30 x 5 x 5 cm
Victorinox Round Finecut Butcher Sharpening Steel Cover
Victorinox Round Finecut Butcher Sharpening Steel, Black/Silver, 30 x 5 x 5 cm

The Victorinox Sharpening Steel is a 30 cm long, round sharpening tool designed to keep your knives in peak condition. Its fine cut feature allows for precise sharpening, ensuring that your blades remain sharp and effective. With its round form, it provides a comfortable grip, making it easy for you to use while honing your cutting tools. This sharpening steel is perfect for home cooks and professional chefs alike, as it promotes efficiency and safety in the kitchen.

What We Like
Fine cut for precise sharpening
30 cm length for easy handling
Round form for comfortable grip
Suitable for all knife types
#TOP 8

ZWILLING 23 cm Sharpening Steel with Handle

1001783
Silver/Black
23 x 5 x 5 cm
ZWILLING 23 cm Sharpening Steel with Handle Cover
ZWILLING 32576-231-0 Sharpening Steel, Synthetic Handle, Black, 23 cm

The ZWILLING Sharpening Steel is designed to maintain the sharpness of your uncoated knives with a smooth cutting edge. Its high-quality chrome sharpening rod ensures effective sharpening for blades up to 22 cm in length. The ribbed coating provides versatility for all knife hardnesses, allowing you to straighten your blade at a precise 15° angle. Regular use of this sharpening steel will not only care for your knives but also extend their lifespan, making it an essential tool for any kitchen.

What We Like
High-quality chrome rod
Ribbed coating for all knives
Ergonomic plastic handle
Space-saving design
#TOP 9

Diamond Steel 12 Inch Professional Sharpening Stick

BH-02
Silver
Diamond Steel 12 Inch Professional Sharpening Stick Cover
Diamond Steel 12 Inch - Professional Sharpening Steel for Master Chef, Ideal for Kitchen Knife, Cooking Knife, Butchers and Japanese Knife, Home Gourmet Blade Sharpening Stick

The Diamond Steel Sharpening Stick offers a highly efficient oval shape, allowing you to sharpen your knives with ease. Made from durable carbon steel and featuring advanced 3-layer diamond electroplating, this tool ensures a fine surface that protects your blades from damage. With its generous 12-inch length, you can sharpen various knives comfortably. Additionally, using this stick is simple; just maintain a 20-degree angle and sharpen your knife with minimal effort, ensuring a sharp edge every time.

What We Like
Efficient oval design
Durable, rust-resistant materials
Long 12-inch length
Simple to use
Easy to clean
#TOP 10

Victorinox Diamond-Coated Oval Kitchen Sharpening Steel

7.8313
Black
30 x 5 x 5 cm
Victorinox Diamond-Coated Oval Kitchen Sharpening Steel Cover
Victorinox Diamond-Coated Oval Kitchen Sharpening Steel, Black, 30 x 5 x 5 cm

The Victorinox Sharpening Steel is a must-have tool for any kitchen enthusiast. Its diamond-coated surface offers excellent sharpening capabilities, ensuring your knives maintain their edge. With a length of 23 cm, it provides ample reach for various knife sizes, making the sharpening process more efficient. The oval form not only enhances its stylish appearance but also allows for easier handling, giving you better control as you sharpen your blades. Investing in this sharpening steel means you'll have sharper knives, resulting in safer and more precise cutting.

What We Like
Diamond-coated for better sharpening
23 cm length for versatility
Stylish oval design
Improves knife precision
Easy handling and control
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a honing steel and a sharpening steel?

The main difference between a sharpening and a honing steel is therefore whether or not material is removed. Honing steels are made from steel that has no sharpening function. Sharpening steels are ceramic or have a diamond coating and therefore harder than steel.

2. What are sharpening steels used for?

A sharpening steel is good for two things: One, it smooths out the rough edge on a blade after you sharpen a knife on a whetstone. And two, it helps revive that edge after you've been cutting, slicing or chopping for a while.

3. What is the best metal to sharpen?

Stainless steel is the most common option as it's affordable and extremely durable against any blade. Ceramic rods have the capability to take off a tiny amount of blade when you hone, giving them a slight sharpening effect, and you will see tiny white streaks on the ceramic after you use them.

4. Do sharpening steels sharpen?

Using a Sharpening Steel Contrary to popular belief, a sharpening steel does not sharpen a knife, instead the purpose of a steel is to align the edge of the knife. As a knife is used, the edge will become curled.

Editor's Notes

During our sharpening steel research, we found 226 sharpening steel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 25,227 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sharpening steels list. We found that most customers choose sharpening steels with an average price of £19.42.

The sharpening steels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sharpening steels, including Kimura, Vogue, Victorinox, ZWILLING, ECENCE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 484 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.