Honing Steels For Expert Knife Maintenance

Investing in a high-quality knife set is one of the best steps you can take on your cooking journey. But once you've upgraded your tools, you'll need to ensure you can properly maintain them to protect their blades. That's why most knife sets come with honing steels included. If you don't have one at home, these essential tools are also available on their own at Williams Sonoma.

Durable Steel Knife Sharpeners

The honing steels in this collection are designed to help you give your knives a quick tune-up in between sharpenings. They're crafted of high-carbon steel that expertly resists stains and corrosion. These compact tools typically feature about a nine- to 10-inch steel rod with a five-inch handle. The handles may be crafted of durable polymer, stainless steel or solid wood and are contoured to ensure a comfortable grip. Look for ones with handles that match your knives to create a cohesive set.

Most cooks choose to place the steel rod vertically, with the tip firmly planted on the kitchen countertop or other flat surface. You can then run your knife down the rod, maintaining light pressure. Depending on the type of knife you're sharpening, you'll want to hold the blade at either a 15- or 20-degree angle. Some rods include built-in guides to help you sharpen at the appropriate angle.

These steel sharpeners should not be used with serrated knives or ones with scalloped blades. They also shouldn't be used to replace full sharpening - in addition to a honing rod, you'll also want to have a manual sharpener, electric sharpener or a whetstone. You may also choose to refresh as needed with the rod, then take your knives in to get professionally sharpened periodically for expert results.

Shop for honing steels at Williams Sonoma to help keep your kitchen blades in the best shape possible. These simple steel rods are durable, easy to store and simple to use with practice. Pull them out periodically and give your favorite straight-edged knives a quick sharpening to ensure a precision edge.