Ceramic knives stay sharp much longer than metal ones. They are made from zirconia, a material almost as hard as diamond. This is why your Kyocera knife keeps its edge so well. But even ceramic knives get dull over time.
You can’t use the same tools on ceramic knives as you do on steel ones. A honing rod or sharpening steel will damage your ceramic blade. Ceramic needs special care.
When Does Your Ceramic Knife Need Sharpening?
Look for these signs:
- The knife tears food instead of cutting it cleanly
- You need to push harder when cutting
- The knife slides over tomato skin
- You see tiny chips on the edge
Most kitchen knives made of ceramic stay sharp for months. Your steel knives might need work every few weeks, but ceramic ones can go 6-12 months before they need help.
Ways to Sharpen Ceramic Knives
You have a few good options:
Send It to the Pros
Many makers like Kyocera offer a sharpening service. This is the safest choice, mainly for your best knives. It costs about $10-40 per knife.
Knife shops often sharpen ceramic knives too. They have the right tools to fix your blade safely.
Do It at Home
If you want to sharpen at home, you’ll need:
- Diamond sharpening stones (fine grit)
- A Kyocera ceramic rod or other ceramic-safe tool
- Electric diamond sharpeners made for ceramic
Never use these on your ceramic knives:
- Regular sharpening rod
- Normal whetstones
- Pull-through sharpeners made for steel
How to Sharpen Your Ceramic Knife at Home
What You Need
- Diamond stone (1000 grit or finer)
- Clean towel
- Bowl of water
- Soft cloth
Step-by-Step Guide
- Set Up Your Space
- Find a flat, stable surface
- Put your diamond stone on a non-slip mat
- Make sure you have good light
- Get the Stone Ready
- If it’s a water stone, soak it first
- Keep water nearby
- Hold the Knife Right
- Keep the knife at a 15-20 degree angle
- This is less steep than for a chef knife made of steel
- Sharpen It
- Use light pressure
- Slide the blade across the stone in one smooth motion
- Start at the heel and end at the tip
- Keep the same angle all the way
- Make 5-10 passes on each side
- Press very gently – ceramic can break if you push too hard
- Test It
- Try slicing a piece of paper
- If it’s still dull, do a few more passes
- Clean Up
- Rinse the knife well
- Dry it fully with a soft cloth
Stay Safe
Be extra careful when you sharpen:
- Always move the blade away from you
- Use less pressure than with steel knives
- Hold the blade safely to stop it from breaking
- Wear cut-proof gloves if you have them
- Never test the edge with your finger
Make Your Ceramic Knives Last Longer
Good habits keep your knives sharp:
- Only use wooden or soft plastic cutting boards
- Never cut on glass, stone, or metal
- Don’t use ceramic knives to pry things open
- Don’t cut frozen foods
- Store with blade guards or in a knife block
- Wash by hand – never in the dishwasher
- Keep your ceramic knives in their own space
Unlike a metal chef knife, ceramic knives can’t do these jobs:
- Cutting bones
- Prying things apart
- Carving tough items
- Cutting frozen food
- Any twisting motion
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these errors when sharpening your kitchen knives:
- Wrong Angle: Too steep will chip the edge
- Too Much Force: Ceramic breaks easily – be gentle
- Wrong Tools: Never use a normal honing rod
- Uneven Work: Count your strokes on each side
- Going Too Fast: Take your time with each pass
When to Get Help
Send your knife to a sharpening service if:
- It has chips or cracks
- Home sharpening didn’t work
- You don’t feel sure about doing it yourself
- The knife was costly
Many Kyocera knife owners send their knives back to the company for the best results.
Wrap-Up
Ceramic knives are great tools that make cooking easier. With good care and proper sharpening, they’ll last for years.
The care for ceramic and steel knives is quite different. The extra steps for ceramic knives are worth it because they stay sharp so much longer.
Whether you choose a pro sharpening service or use a diamond stone at home, keeping your ceramic knives sharp will make cooking safer and more fun.