For most home cooks, a high-quality ceramic rod is the safest, most effective choice. For professionals or those with very hard steels, a smooth steel rod (not diamond) is the classic pick. Avoid grooved or diamond rods for fine kitchen knives. The Quick Breakdown: Ceramic Rods: The Top Performer for Most Best for: All kitchen knives, especially modern hard steels (Japanese, ... https://knivesarea.com/best-ceramic-honing-steel/