Use a ceramic sharpening rod for quick touch-ups

Draw the knife edge along a ceramic rod to hone and lightly sharpen the blade. A ceramic rod is harder than steel rods and actually removes a small amount of metal, making it a true sharpening tool rather than just a honing tool. It bridges the gap between a traditional steel honing rod and a full whetstone sharpening.

How It Works

Ceramic rods (typically alumina ceramic, rated 8-9 on the Mohs hardness scale) are harder than the steel in any kitchen knife. When you draw the knife along the ceramic surface at a consistent angle, the ceramic abrades microscopic amounts of steel, creating a fresh edge. This is more aggressive than a traditional steel honing rod but gentler than a coarse whetstone.

Step-by-Step

1. Hold the ceramic rod vertically with the tip resting on a folded towel on the counter
2. Place the knife heel against the top of the rod at a 15-20 degree angle
3. Draw the knife downward and toward you in a sweeping arc from heel to tip
4. Alternate sides: next stroke on the other side of the rod
5. Perform 5-10 alternating strokes per side
6. Wipe the blade and the rod (ceramic rods collect gray steel residue)

Tips

• A fine-grit ceramic rod (white) is for maintenance; a medium-grit (grey or blue) ceramic rod is more aggressive
• Ceramic rods work excellently on both Western and Japanese knives
• Unlike steel honing rods, ceramic rods are fragile and will shatter if dropped on a hard floor; handle carefully
• Idahone and MAC brand ceramic rods are widely recommended by professional sharpeners
• Clean the rod periodically with a scouring pad or cleanser to remove embedded metal particles
• A ceramic rod is arguably the single best tool for weekly knife maintenance between full sharpenings

Ceramic Rod vs. Steel Honing Rod

• Steel rod: realigns the edge, does not remove metal. Good for daily use between sharpenings.
• Ceramic rod: removes a tiny amount of metal and realigns. Better for weekly or bi-weekly maintenance when the knife starts to feel slightly dull.
• For the best routine, use a steel rod after every use and a ceramic rod every week or two.