What is the difference between sharpening and honing a knife?

If you watch various cooking shows or competitions, you’ve probably noticed a chef expertly running knives across a honing steel, like the one you see in the image here. You too might own one of these if you have a large knife set.

Do you know what the function of this tool is? It sharpens knives, right? If you think that, you're mistaken. Despite how it's labeled, this tool is definitely not a sharpening tool.

Sharpening vs. Honing?

The tool many think of as a sharpener is actually a honing steel. So what’s the difference between sharpening and honing?

To understand the difference, we first need to know why and how knives become dull. When a knife dulls, it means that its sharp edge has lost its quality, and the edge of the blade is no longer properly aligned due to use. Even if the blade is still sharp, this loss of alignment means the knife won’t cut properly.

So how can the knife regain its sharpness and alignment? This is where sharpening and honing come in:

• Honing: A honing steel pushes the knife’s edge back into the center and straightens it. It "repairs" the edge without removing much material from the blade. Honing doesn’t actually sharpen the knife, but if done correctly, the knife will appear sharper because the blade’s edge is now in the right position. Honing should be done frequently – in some cases, after every use.
• Sharpening: On the other hand, sharpening is the process of removing material from the edge to create a new sharp edge. This can be done using a whetstone, sharpening stone, or electric knife sharpener (CHECK OUT OUR WORKSHARP ELECTRIC SHARPENERS). You only need to sharpen knives less frequently than you hone them, once a month or depending on how much the knife is used.

When is Your Knife Sharp?

It’s important to know when your knife is dull and needs maintenance so you can cut and chop safely and confidently. Our favorite way to test if a knife is sharp is to slice a tomato – a sharp knife will easily cut through the tough skin and soft interior. Another way to test the sharpness of a knife is to try cutting a piece of paper while holding it in the air.

Interested in knife sharpening? We have everything you need. Browse our product catalog. If you need any advice, we’re here to help.

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