What Do Chefs Use To Sharpen Knives?

What do chefs use to sharpen knives? Chefs rely on a variety of sharpening tools to keep their blades performing at their best. Common options include whetstones, honing rods, and manual or electric sharpeners. These essential tools help maintain sharp edges for precise cutting and efficient meal prep in both home and professional kitchens. Explore the assortment below to find the right sharpening solution for your culinary needs.

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  • Zwilling V-Edge Sharpener
    $49.96
    (357)

    Great Knife Sharpener!...I love my Zwilling knives and needed a sharpener that would be best for my knives....Best Sharpener ever...Love this sharpener, easy to use and puts a perfect edge on all my knifes....Best sharpener I've ever owned.

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, ease of use

  • Zwilling J.A. Henckels 4-Stage Knife Sharpener
    $34.95
    (299)

    This has been the best purchase ever made!...I harried other products and nothing else worked as great as this toy!...Best knife sharpener...This is the best knife knife sharpener I?ve ever had.

    Pros: easy to use, ease of use, effectiveness

  • Zwilling J.A. Henckels 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
    $19.95
    (221)

    Best knives I have ever owned! And come from a fam...Amazing quality for a great price! Best in my book!...Love it. The 2 stage sharpening works great for my knives

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, effective sharpening

  • Messermeister 400/1000 Sharpening Stone
    $49.95
    (75)

    No the best stone but certainly the best value....Great feel,but soft...I love the stones. They are easy to use and have a great feel.

    Pros: effective sharpening, easy to use, effectiveness

  • Bob Kramer Double-Cut Sharpening Steel
    $74.95
    (51)

    Certified as a Master Bladesmith by the American Bladesmith Society, Bob Kramer is one of the only Master Bladesmiths in the world specializing in kitchen cutlery. Put simply, Kramer is King of the Kitchen Knife. As such, Bob Kramer has seen the knife...

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, comfortable handle

  • Bob Kramer by Zwilling J.A. Henckels Knife Sharpening Kit
    $299.96
    (43)

    This kit is very user friendly and gives you everything you need to give your knives the best edge....Great skill to learn!...Best way to sharpen...this is the best way to sharpen, and the best set of stones I've ever used

    Pros: effectiveness, quality, ease of use

  • Work Sharp E2 Knife Sharpener
    $74.95
    (39)

    Works great. Love it....Best Ever!

    Pros: ease of use, effectiveness, easy to use

  • Miyabi 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
    $54.95
    (36)

    A razor-sharp knife is a chef’s best friend. Safely and easily sharpen blades with this 2-stage sharpener. Stage 1 is a diamond-coated wheel of medium grit capable of sharpening the hardest steels, even in excess of 66 Rockwell, and stage 2 is...

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, works well

  • Wüsthof Four-Stage Handheld Sharpener
    $45
    (35)

    Absolutely the best!...Great

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, effective sharpening

  • Global Universal Knife Sharpener
    $59.96
    (31)

    One of the best sharpeners I’ve ever used...Did a great job

    Pros: easy to use, effectiveness, effective sharpening

  • Wüsthof Tri-Stone
    $80
    (19)

    Great customer service...Works great!

    Pros: effective sharpening, effectiveness, easy to use

  • Messermeister 1000/3000 Sharpening Stone
    $59.95
    (13)

    Great for the money...Large, heavy, works great, after the hone My 8" Mercer chef's is Sharp enough to shave with, easily.

    Pros: effectiveness, sharpness, sharpens knives

  • Bob Kramer Ceramic Sharpening Steel
    $74.95
    (13)

    Ceramic is the Best...great results

    Pros: sharpens knives effectively, complements older sharpening rod, effective sharpening

  • Kyocera Ceramic Sharpening Steel, 9"
    $27.95
    (11)

    Lightweight and easy-to-use steel features a highly efficient ribbed surface for re-sharpening and a smooth surface for honing. Kyocera’s ceramic sharpening rods are made of advanced ceramic, a material close in hardness to diamond.

    When your steel...

    Pros: effectiveness, effective sharpening, ease of use

  • Miyabi Sharpening Steel, 10"
    $89.95
    (8)

    Maintain the razor-sharp edges of your Miyabi knives between sharpenings with this easy-to-use honing rod. Made of tungsten carbide, this sharpening steel ensures the correct hardness to sharpen almost any knife. Plus, it offers superior wear resistance,...

    Pros: effectiveness, ease of use, great honing tool

  • Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
    $27.95
    (8)

    Now, keeping your Kyocera ceramic knives in pristine condition is easy thanks to this wheel that makes both ceramic and steel blades razor sharp. It boasts a very strong and durable #1000 diamond sharpening wheel that resists wear and for years of...

    Pros: effectiveness, works fairly well, sharpens well

  • Wüsthof Knife Steel, 10"
    $65
    (6)

    Great purchase...It does a great job. You won't be sorry.

    Pros: effective, easy to use, nice feel

  • Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Stone Pro Sharpening Stone
    $94.95
    (1)

    this is great

    Pros: easy to use, convenient, double sided

  • Shun Kanso Combination Honing Steel, 9"
    $59.95
    (1)

    This easy-to-use honing rod gently realigns the cutting edges of your Shun cutlery, enabling you to maintain the razor-sharp blades between sharpenings. The Kanso honing steel features two surfaces: smooth for day-to-day honing and micro-ribbed for weekly...

    Pros: excellent for daily use, light weight

  • Global Ceramic Sharpener, 10"
    $149.95
    (1)

    Maintain the razor-sharp edges of your knives between sharpenings with this easy-to-use ceramic honing rod. Lightweight design features ergonomic handle with Global’s signature dimple pattern, which provides a stronger grip. Oversized hand guard...

    Pros: versatility, length, honing ability

  • Viking Professional Sharpening Steel, 10"
    $103.96

    Keep your favorite knives perfectly sharp and performing their best with Viking’s sharpening steel. For long cutlery life, hone the cutting edge on your blades before or after each use. This sharpening steel is magnetized, so it captures the small...

What Do Chefs Use To Sharpen Knives?

Professional chefs rely on a range of sharpening tools to keep their knives performing at their best, whether they’re prepping for a busy dinner service or slicing through winter root vegetables at home. The cornerstone of any serious knife maintenance routine is the whetstone, also known as a water stone. These stones, often dual-grit, offer unparalleled control and precision, allowing chefs to restore a razor-sharp edge while removing the least amount of metal possible, which helps extend the life of the blade. Using a whetstone is a skillful, almost meditative process—soaking the stone, maintaining a consistent angle (typically between 20 and 22.5 degrees), and working from a coarse to a fine grit. This method is highly valued by professionals and passionate home cooks alike, not only for the results but for the sense of craftsmanship it brings to the kitchen. For those who appreciate hands-on care of their tools, a whetstone is an indispensable addition to the kitchen, and it also makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who takes pride in their cooking equipment.

In addition to whetstones, chefs frequently use honing rods—sometimes called steels—for daily maintenance. These tools don’t sharpen in the traditional sense; instead, they realign the microscopic edge of the blade, which can bend during regular use. Honing rods come in several materials, including classic stainless steel, gentle ceramic, and diamond-coated versions that offer a bit of sharpening action as well. A few passes on a honing rod before each use can keep knives slicing cleanly through everything from crusty baguettes to delicate herbs, making them a practical choice for both professional and home kitchens. For those seeking speed and convenience, especially during the busy holiday season, diamond-coated rods and electric sharpeners provide fast results. Electric sharpeners use rotating abrasive wheels to quickly restore an edge, making them popular in commercial kitchens or for anyone who prefers a straightforward, efficient approach to knife care. However, they tend to remove more metal, so they’re often reserved for occasional use or for reviving especially dull blades.

Choosing the right sharpening tool depends on your level of experience, the types of knives you use, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. A whetstone rewards patience and skill, while a honing rod offers quick touch-ups that keep your knives in top shape day after day. Electric sharpeners are ideal for those who value speed and ease of use, making them a practical option for busy cooks or as a holiday gift for someone building their kitchen toolkit. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an enthusiastic home cook, investing in the right sharpening tools ensures your knives remain safe, efficient, and a pleasure to use all year round. If you’re curious about the knives professionals trust in their kitchens, our guide on What Knives Do Chefs Use offers expert insight into chef-approved cutlery for every skill level.

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