Best Stainless Sharpening Steels of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025

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Stainless Sharpening Steels are essential tools for maintaining the sharpness of your kitchen knives. They are long, thin rods made of stainless steel that are used to hone the edge of your knife. The sharpening steel works by realigning the microscopic teeth on the blade edge, which can become misaligned with use. This process helps to restore the sharpness of your knife, making it easier and safer to use. Stainless Sharpening Steels are available in various lengths and thicknesses, making them suitable for different types of knives. They are also easy to use and require minimal maintenance, making them a must-have for any home cook or professional chef.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

ECENCE Professional Knife Sharpening Steel Cover #TOP 1
ECENCE Professional Knife Sharpening Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Metaltex Stainless Steel Knife Sharpening Steel Cover #TOP 2
Metaltex Stainless Steel Knife Sharpening Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Mercer Culinary 12-Inch German Sharpening Steel Cover #TOP 3
Mercer Culinary 12-Inch German Sharpening Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Stainless Sharpening Steels

#TOP 1

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 2

Metaltex Stainless Steel Knife Sharpening Steel

258100
Silver
3.2 x 6.8 x 34.4 cm
Metaltex Stainless Steel Knife Sharpening Steel Cover
Metaltex Knife Sharpening Steel, Stainless Steel, Silver, 3.2 x 6.8 x 34.4 cm

The Metaltex Knife Sharpener is designed to keep your kitchen knives perfectly sharpened with ease. Made from high-quality stainless steel, this durable tool ensures your knives remain sharp even with continuous use. Its safe design features a comfortable grip that protects your hands while sharpening, allowing you to work confidently. Plus, cleaning is a breeze as it is dishwasher safe, making maintenance quick and simple. With this sharpener, you can enjoy the convenience of well-maintained knives at all times.

What We Like
Easy to use
Durable stainless steel
Dishwasher safe
Safe design
Perfectly sharpened knives
#TOP 3

Mercer Culinary 12-Inch German Sharpening Steel

M14512
Black
38x10x3 cm
Mercer Culinary 12-Inch German Sharpening Steel Cover
Mercer Culinary 12-Inch German Sharpening Steel, Stainless Steel, 38x10x3 cm, Black

The Mercer Culinary Sharpening Steel is crafted from high-quality German steel, designed to hone knife edges effectively. This ensures that your knives perform at their best, making food preparation quicker and easier. Its ergonomic polypropylene handle includes a hand guard, providing safety and comfort while you sharpen. Even with wet hands, the non-slip grip allows you to use it confidently. To maintain the longevity of your sharpening steel, simply wash it by hand with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly.

What We Like
High-quality German steel
Ergonomic, non-slip handle
Easy to maintain
Enhances knife performance
Suitable for professional or home use

Jean Patrique 8 Inch Stainless Steel Knife Sharpener

JP0202_FBA
Silver
Jean Patrique 8 Inch Stainless Steel Knife Sharpener Cover
Stainless Steel Knife Sharpener Rod - 8 Inch Professional Knife Sharpener Constructed From Professional Quality Steel For Fast And Efficient Sharpening by Jean Patrique

The Jean Patrique Knife Sharpener is an essential tool for any kitchen. With its professional quality 3Cr13 stainless steel construction, it ensures your knives remain razor sharp, enhancing your cooking efficiency. The sharpening process is fast and easy, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of well-maintained knives without much effort. The ergonomic stainless steel handle provides comfort, making it ideal for prolonged use. Plus, cleaning is a breeze—just rinse it with warm, soapy water and wipe it dry.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel construction
Quick and easy sharpening
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Simple to clean
#TOP 5

Wüsthof 23 cm Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel

4465-7/23
Black
23.0 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm
Wüsthof 23 cm Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel Cover
Wüsthof Sharpening Steel, Stainless Steel, Black, 23 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm

The Wüsthof Sharpening Steel is a practical kitchen tool designed to keep your knives in top condition. With a blade length of 23 cm, it provides ample length for efficient sharpening. Made from durable stainless steel, it ensures longevity and resistance to wear. The sleek black design adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen. Additionally, being dishwasher safe means you can easily clean it without any hassle, making maintenance simple and convenient for you.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel material
Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Elegant black design
23 cm length for effective sharpening
#TOP 6

Taylors Eye Witness Forte Long Sharpening Steel

4511
Black
Taylors Eye Witness Forte Long Sharpening Steel Cover
Forte Range Long Sharpening Steel - Taylors Eye Witness 25cm/10” in Length, Super Hard Stainless Steel Butchers Rod. Keep Commercial Or Home Kitchen Knives in Razor Sharp Condition.

The Forte Sharpening Steel from Taylors Eye Witness is an essential tool for keeping your knives razor sharp. With its high chrome content, it protects your knives and effectively realigns their edges, ensuring they perform at their best. The beautiful design features classic brass rivets paired with a modern blade finish, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. Its full tang construction provides strength and balance, offering comfort even during prolonged use. This sharpening steel is perfect for both home cooks and professionals alike.

What We Like
Protects and sharpens knives
Elegant and stylish design
Strong and durable construction
Comfortable for all users

ARCOS 10 Inch Sharpening Steel Tool

278200
Black
250 mm
ARCOS 10 Inch Sharpening Steel Tool Cover
ARCOS Sharpening Steel 10 Inch Nitrum Stainless Steel and 250 mm Blade, Series Chaira, Body Carbon Steel Chromium Coated 11 - Handle Polypropylene, Lightweight and Smooth Shapes, Color Black

The ARCOS Sharpening Steel is designed for precise edge maintenance, thanks to its hard steel-alloy and chrome-plated carbon-rich steel. You can sharpen all types of knives effortlessly, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen. The ergonomic polypropylene handle ensures a comfortable grip, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of slippage during use. This professional-grade tool is ideal for cooks and butchers who require the utmost quality and performance from their sharpening equipment.

What We Like
Impeccable edge maintenance
Comfortable, ergonomic handle
Versatile for all knife types
Professional-grade quality
Family-owned craftsmanship
#TOP 8

30 cm Professional Honing Steel Knife Sharpener

22389040
Black+silver
30 cm Professional Honing Steel Knife Sharpener Cover
Professional Honing Steel, 30 cm/11.81 inch Honing Rod Knife Steel with Non-Slip Handle, Kitchen Carbon Steel Knife Sharpener Repair Knife Edge for Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife(Black+Silver)

The Hahhhha Honing Steel is designed to enhance your kitchen experience with its premium carbon steel construction, ensuring high hardness and exceptional wear resistance. The ergonomic handle provides a non-slip grip, allowing you to sharpen knives safely and comfortably. Its unique structural design increases durability, while the machine-stamped surface effectively removes microscopic imperfections from your knife's edge. With easy-to-use functionality, you can quickly restore your blades to a sharp edge, making it a must-have tool for any kitchen.

What We Like
High-quality carbon steel
Ergonomic, non-slip handle
Durable and sturdy design
Quick sharpening process
Multi-use for various knives
#TOP 9

Grunwerg 11" Ceramic & Corundum Knife Sharpener

CRS-16273W
Grunwerg 11" Ceramic & Corundum Knife Sharpener Cover
Grunwerg RF Ceramic & Corundum Knife Sharpening Steel/Butcher's Steel 11" CRS-16273W

The Grunwerg Knife Sharpener is a professional-grade tool designed for high precision sharpening and honing of knives. This versatile sharpener works effectively on both Japanese and European knives, making it ideal for those who own a variety of high-quality blades. Its rust-proof and non-corrosive ceramic and corundum materials ensure that you achieve superior sharpening results, thanks to their exceptional hardness. Additionally, the non-slip soft plastic handle provides comfortable use, while the stainless steel hanging ring allows for safe and easy storage.

What We Like
Professional-grade sharpening tool
Works on various knife types
Rust-proof and non-corrosive materials
Comfortable non-slip handle
Easy storage with hanging ring
#TOP 10

BEWOS 26CM Professional Honing Steel

double plant honing steel
BEWOS 26CM Professional Honing Steel Cover
BEWOS Honing Steel, 26CM Honing Rod/Knife Steel,Professional Carbon Steel Sharpening Rod, Kitchen Knives Honing Rod, Kitchen Knife Sharpener Repair Knife Edge, Knife Steel with Non-Slip Handle

The BEWOS Honing Steel is a 26cm sharpening rod designed to keep your knives sharp and effective. Its ergonomic, non-slip handle ensures a comfortable grip, allowing you to maintain control while honing. Made from high-quality carbon steel, this honing rod boasts excellent durability and corrosion resistance, making it a reliable tool for your kitchen. The unique structural design enhances its sturdiness, ensuring a long-lasting sharpening solution for all your knives.

What We Like
Ergonomic non-slip handle
High-quality carbon steel
Durable and sturdy design
Suitable for various knives
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is stainless steel good for sharpening?

Modern stainless steel is very hard and, when sharpened properly, will hold a good edge for a very long time. When sharpening a knife you must have a high quality sharpener that features a rough stock removal surface (preferably diamond abrasive) and a finishing surface of hard stone or ceramic abrasive.

2. What is a good steel for sharpening knives?

Best Honing Steel for Your Knives. Best Overall – Winware Stainless Steel Sharpening Steel, 12-Inch.Runner up – DMT CS2 12-Inch Ceramic Steel.Runner up – Kota Japan 12-Inch Diamond Carbon Steel Professional Knife Sharpener Rod.Best budget honing steel – Utopia Kitchen 12-Inch Honing Steel.Ceramic.Stainless steel.Diamond.

3. 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.

4. How do you pick a sharpening steel?

In fact, the size of the sharpening steel that you choose depends on the size of your knife's blade. The length of the sharpening steel's rod must be the same or longer than the length of the knife's blade.

Editor's Notes

During our stainless sharpening steel research, we found 141 stainless sharpening steel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,871 customer reviews through our big data system to write the stainless sharpening steels list. We found that most customers choose stainless sharpening steels with an average price of £18.37.

The stainless sharpening steels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of stainless sharpening steels, including ECENCE, Metaltex, Mercer Culinary, Jean-Patrique, Taylors Eye Witness. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 151 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

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.