Do you find it hard to keep your ceramic knives sharp? Don’t worry. Many home cooks have this same problem. I’ll help you find the best tool to keep your knives sharp and ready.
Why Ceramic Knives Need Special Sharpeners
Ceramic knives are not like normal steel knives. They are made from a very hard material. This means they stay sharp longer, but when they do get dull, you need special tools.
You cannot use a normal steel rod or most basic sharpeners. Using the wrong tool can break your ceramic knife. You need a sharpener with diamond parts, as diamond is harder than ceramic.
Types of Ceramic Knife Sharpeners
Manual Sharpeners
Manual sharpeners are easy to use and often cost less. Good ones for ceramic knives have diamond parts.
Good things about manual sharpeners:
- Easy to store
- No power needed
- Often cheaper
- Good for quick touch-ups
A manual knife sharpener with diamond parts works well for most home cooks. These often have slots that help you hold the knife at the right angle.
Electric Sharpeners
An electric sharpener makes the job faster. The best ones for ceramic blades have diamond wheels or belts.
Good things about electric sharpeners:
- Faster work
- Same results each time
- Less work for you
- Often have many steps
The Chef’s Choice brand makes good electric sharpeners for ceramic knives. These can sharpen both steel and ceramic blades.
Diamond Stones
Diamond stones are the old-school choice. These stones come in rough to smooth grades and take some skill to use.
Good things about diamond stones:
- Works for all blades
- Can sharpen any shape
- Many grades to choose from
- Most control
If you want to learn a skill, a diamond stone gives you the most control. But it takes more time to learn.
Top Ceramic Knife Sharpeners
Best Overall: Work Sharp E5 Electric Sharpener
This electric tool uses soft belts with diamond dust that work well on ceramic. It can sharpen both straight and wavy edges. It has guides to help you get the right angle.
What it has:
- Diamond belts
- Angle guides
- Works with all knives
- Fast sharpening
The Work Sharp system is worth buying if you have many knives to keep sharp.
Best Manual Option: Shun Diamond Rod
This is not a normal steel rod but a diamond-coated rod made for both ceramic and steel knives. It’s easy to use and store.
What it has:
- Diamond coating
- Comfy handle
- Angle guide
- Works with big knives too
The Shun rod is great for quick touch-ups to keep your knives sharp.
Best Low-Cost Choice: Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
Made by a top ceramic knife maker, this small sharpener is made just for ceramic blades.
What it has:
- Diamond wheel
- Set angle
- Small size
- Simple to use
This works well for a small pocket knife made of ceramic or kitchen knives.
How to Pick The Right Ceramic Knife Sharpener
When choosing a sharpener, think about:
1. Diamond Parts
The sharpener must use diamond. Nothing else is hard enough for ceramic blades.
2. Angle Help
Look for a sharpener with the right angle for your knives. Most ceramic knives have a 15-16 degree edge.
3. What Knives You Have
If you have many types like a chef knife and other kitchen knives, get a tool that works for all. For just one or two ceramic knives, a simpler tool may work.
4. Your Skill
Be honest about your skills. If you’re new, an electric sharpener or manual one with guides will be easier than a stone.
5. Cost
Good ceramic knife sharpeners cost from $20 for basic ones to $200+ for top electric models. Spend based on how much you use your knives.
How to Sharpen a Ceramic Knife
Using an Electric Sharpener
- Read the guide that comes with it
- Turn it on
- Pull the knife through each slot
- Use light touch
- Wipe the knife after
Using a Manual Sharpener
- Put it on a flat surface
- Hold it with one hand
- Put the knife in the right slot
- Pull through with light touch
- Do this 5-10 times
- Test if it’s sharp
Using a Diamond Stone
- Put the stone on a non-slip mat
- Hold the knife at a low angle
- Move the knife across the stone
- Keep the same angle
- Do both sides the same
- Start rough, end smooth
- Test as you go
Caring for Your Ceramic Knives
Even with a good sharpener, good care means less sharpening:
- Don’t cut frozen food, bones, or hard cheese
- Use only wood or plastic boards
- Wash by hand – no dishwasher
- Store in a knife block or with guards
When to Sharpen Your Ceramic Knives
Unlike steel knives that may need weekly care, ceramic knives often go months between sharpening. It’s time when:
- The knife can’t cut a tomato cleanly
- You need to push harder
- The edge looks dull up close
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use a steel rod on ceramic knives
- Don’t push too hard when sharpening
- Don’t sharpen more than needed
- Don’t use tools made only for steel
Final Thoughts: Which Ceramic Knife Sharpener Is Best?
The best sharpener depends on your needs:
- For most home cooks: Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
- For keen home chefs: Chef’s Choice 700 electric sharpener
- For pros or fans: DMT diamond stone set
Keep in mind that even the best tools need good skill. Take your time, follow steps, and your ceramic knives will cut well for years.
If you have just one or two ceramic knives among many steel ones, get a tool that works for both. The Work Sharp and Chef’s Choice models do this well.
No matter what you pick, a good ceramic knife sharpener helps you cook better and makes your knives last longer. Keep them sharp, and they’ll serve you well in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular knife sharpener on ceramic knives?
No. Regular sharpeners made for steel knives won’t work on ceramic knives. You need a sharpener with diamond parts since diamond is harder than ceramic. Using the wrong sharpener can chip or break your ceramic knife.
How often should I sharpen my ceramic knife?
Much less often than steel knives. Most ceramic knives stay sharp for months before they need sharpening. You only need to sharpen when the knife can’t cut a tomato cleanly or when you need to push harder to cut.
Are electric sharpeners better than manual ones for ceramic knives?
Not always. Electric sharpeners are faster and often give more even results, but a good manual sharpener with diamond parts works very well too. The best choice depends on how many knives you have and how often you use them.
Can I use a honing rod on my ceramic knife?
You can’t use a normal steel honing rod. But you can use a diamond-coated sharpening rod made for ceramic knives. The Shun Diamond Rod is a good choice for this.
Will sharpening weaken my ceramic knife?
If done right, sharpening shouldn’t harm your ceramic knife. But if you use too much force or the wrong tool, you might chip the blade. Always use light touch and the right type of sharpener.
What’s the best angle to sharpen a ceramic knife?
Most ceramic knives have a 15-16 degree edge angle. Look for a sharpener with guides for this angle or learn to hold the knife at this angle if using a diamond stone.
Do I need different sharpeners for different types of knives?
If you have both steel and ceramic knives, look for a sharpening system that works for both types. Work Sharp and Chef’s Choice make good options that can handle all your kitchen knives.
How do I know if my ceramic knife needs sharpening?
Try to slice a ripe tomato. If the knife doesn’t cut through the skin easily, it needs sharpening. You can also look at the edge – if it looks dull or has tiny nicks, it’s time to sharpen.