10 Best Sharpening Steels 2026 in the United States

The Cutluxe Honing Rod from the Artisan Series is designed to keep your kitchen knives sharp by honing and realigning the blade edges. Crafted from German high carbon stainless steel, it promises durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. With a length of 10 inches, it can handle a variety of knife sizes effortlessly.

The ergonomic PakkaWood handle is non-slip and suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users, which adds to the convenience and comfort during use. The honing rod is extra fine in grit, making it suitable for maintaining the sharpness of your knives rather than sharpening dull blades from scratch. It is light, weighing only 1 pound, making it easy to handle without causing fatigue.

The design is visually appealing and would make a handsome addition to any kitchen or a thoughtful gift for cooking enthusiasts. However, it’s worth noting that while honing rods help maintain knife sharpness, they do not replace the need for a good sharpener to restore dull blades. The lifetime warranty against material or workmanship defects provides peace of mind for users. The Cutluxe Honing Rod is ideal for those looking to maintain their knife collection in excellent condition with minimal effort.

The F. Dick 12" Dickoron Micro Sharpening Steel is made from steel and features an oval shape, which helps provide a good angle for sharpening kitchen knives evenly. Its 12-inch length is ideal for most standard kitchen knives, offering enough surface area to sharpen blades efficiently. The steel has a super fine grit, meaning it is suited for honing and maintaining sharp edges rather than repairing very dull or damaged knives.

The sharpening steel is lightweight at about 1 pound, making it easy to handle. It has received excellent customer reviews, suggesting users find it effective for regular knife maintenance, although its ranking in the broader kitchen tools category is moderate, which might reflect its specialized use.

This sharpening steel is a solid choice if you want a reliable tool for quick touch-ups to keep your knives sharp, especially for home cooks who want straightforward, consistent performance without dealing with complex sharpening methods.

The Global G-38/B 10" Diamond Sharpening Steel is a versatile tool designed for maintaining and honing various types of kitchen knives, including chef knives, Damascus knives, and Santoku knives. This sharpening steel stands out due to its chrome/vanadium stainless-steel core coated with diamond particles, which provides excellent honing and edge realignment. The extra fine grit is ideal for precision sharpening, making it a great choice for maintaining sharp edges on high-quality knives.

At 10 inches long, it offers ample surface area for sharpening larger knives, and the smooth steel handle ensures a comfortable grip during use. Weighing 1.2 pounds, it's sturdy but not too heavy to handle with ease. Additionally, it's made in China, which might be a consideration for those looking for products manufactured elsewhere.

This sharpening steel is particularly suitable for home cooks and professional chefs who seek a reliable tool for maintaining their knife collection's sharpness.