Staff Answer
Sep 04, 2026 - 10:25 AM
It is important to note the difference between the function of a honing rod being used on softer German steel and the harder Japanese blades. On softer steel, the intent is to align an edge that has bent to one side or the other. On harder steels, the goal is to remove fatigued metal and perform micro-sharpening. There are 4 types of honing rods available at KnifeMerchant.com which can accomplish this at a wide range of price points. 1) F Dick Titan - 12 inch oval Titanium Nitride coating with a softer steel core. 2) F Dick Dark Nitro - 12 inch oval nitrogenated steel alloy. 3) Miyabi (birchwood or black) 9-10 inch round Tungsten Carbide. 4) Ceramic rods (Mac, Master Grade, Idahone and Messermeister). If choosing any of the steel rods, use only a feather-light touch to sharpen your Japanese blade. These are expensive and the Dark Nitro is particularly attractive with it's oak handle. The F Dick are durable rods which are not likely to suffer damage if dropped. The Miyabi tungsten carbide and the ceramic rods are much more brittle and are likely to break if dropped. In terms of pure performance, the ceramic rods create a smoother edge than the steel types and are generally recommended. However, they are not permitted in some commercial facilities due to the risk of breakage causing food contamination. In those settings, the F. Dick Titan or Dark Nitro are a better choice.
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