Ceramic knives are made from a type of ceramic called zirconium oxide, or zirconia, making them lighter and often sharper than the usual stainless steel used to make kitchen knives. Zirconia is harder and more durable than standard kitchen ceramic, making for an extra-durable, very sharp knife. A ceramic knife, unlike a steel knife, has the added benefits of not carrying odors and not rusting. The sharpening process for ceramic knives is different from the typical [sharpening](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-ways-to-sharpen-a-knife-everything-you-need-to-know-about-knife-sharpening-and-benefits-of-a-sharp-kitchen-knife) method for steel knives, and will almost always require the use of diamond sharpeners.
You can always send your ceramic knives out to a sharpening service, but it is more economical and easy to use the home DIY method for sharpening your knives. Zirconia is a very hard material, and you will need an extra-hard diamond sharpening tool if you want to sharpen your ceramic knives at home. Here are three ceramic knife sharpening tools, as well as methods that you can follow to freshen up your knife set and hone your [knife skills](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsay-teaches-knife-skills).  

1. __Diamond sharpening stone__: A diamond sharpening stone is a flat grinding stone (similar to a whetstone) with grit diamond embedded inside of it. These special knife sharpeners are perfect for sharpening a ceramic knife. To sharpen your ceramic knife with a diamond sharpening stone, place the stone on a dishcloth over a cutting board to prevent it from slipping. Holding the sharp edge of your knife blade against the diamond at a twenty-degree angle, run the blade against the stone from the heel end of the blade to the tip. Keep gentle pressure on the top of the knife with your opposite hand to avoid chipping the blade. Repeat this process six times on each side of the blade. 
2. __Automatic ceramic knife sharpener__: Using an electric knife sharpener to sharpen your knives will allow you to simply to swipe your knife through the sharpener once, and it will emerge sharp. Make sure that you’re using an automatic diamond knife sharpener, which manufacturers design specifically for ceramic knives. Place the knife-edge in the slot in the sharpener, then pull your knife through it from heel to tip. 
3. __Diamond file__: Sharpening your ceramic knife with a diamond file is a little trickier and requires a knife rest, but it is effective and fast. Set your kitchen knife on the knife rest and hold the file at a twenty-degree angle against the heel of the blade. File the tool back and forth against the knife, moving up and down the tip of the blade while applying medium pressure. Repeat this process once more on the same side, then flip the knife over and repeat on the second side. Wear cut-resistant gloves while attempting this method.
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Sharp knives are essential kitchen tools for making the best dishes, and ceramic knives are just about as sharp as they come. However, there are a few things you should know as you hone your ceramic knife sharpening skills. Read on to learn how to sharpen a ceramic knife at home so that you can keep your cutlery in great working order for years to come.

Sharp knives are essential kitchen tools for making the best dishes, and ceramic knives are just about as sharp as they come. However, there are a few things you should know as you hone your ceramic knife sharpening skills. Read on to learn how to sharpen a ceramic knife at home so that you can keep your cutlery in great working order for years to come.

How to Sharpen Ceramic Knives in 3 Ways

Ceramic knives are made from a type of ceramic called zirconium oxide, or zirconia, making them lighter and often sharper than the usual stainless steel used to make kitchen knives. Zirconia is harder and more durable than standard kitchen ceramic, making for an extra-durable, very sharp knife. A ceramic knife, unlike a steel knife, has the added benefits of not carrying odors and not rusting. The sharpening process for ceramic knives is different from the typical <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-ways-to-sharpen-a-knife-everything-you-need-to-know-about-knife-sharpening-and-benefits-of-a-sharp-kitchen-knife' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-ways-to-sharpen-a-knife-everything-you-need-to-know-about-knife-sharpening-and-benefits-of-a-sharp-kitchen-knife","linkCopy":"sharpening","category":null}'>sharpening</a> method for steel knives, and will almost always require the use of diamond sharpeners.

What Are Ceramic Knives?

You can always send your ceramic knives out to a sharpening service, but it is more economical and easy to use the home DIY method for sharpening your knives. Zirconia is a very hard material, and you will need an extra-hard diamond sharpening tool if you want to sharpen your ceramic knives at home. Here are three ceramic knife sharpening tools, as well as methods that you can follow to freshen up your knife set and hone your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsay-teaches-knife-skills' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsay-teaches-knife-skills","linkCopy":"knife skills","category":null}'>knife skills</a>. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Diamond sharpening stone: A diamond sharpening stone is a flat grinding stone (similar to a whetstone) with grit diamond embedded inside of it. These special knife sharpeners are perfect for sharpening a ceramic knife. To sharpen your ceramic knife with a diamond sharpening stone, place the stone on a dishcloth over a cutting board to prevent it from slipping. Holding the sharp edge of your knife blade against the diamond at a twenty-degree angle, run the blade against the stone from the heel end of the blade to the tip. Keep gentle pressure on the top of the knife with your opposite hand to avoid chipping the blade. Repeat this process six times on each side of the blade. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Automatic ceramic knife sharpener: Using an electric knife sharpener to sharpen your knives will allow you to simply to swipe your knife through the sharpener once, and it will emerge sharp. Make sure that you’re using an automatic diamond knife sharpener, which manufacturers design specifically for ceramic knives. Place the knife-edge in the slot in the sharpener, then pull your knife through it from heel to tip. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Diamond file: Sharpening your ceramic knife with a diamond file is a little trickier and requires a knife rest, but it is effective and fast. Set your kitchen knife on the knife rest and hold the file at a twenty-degree angle against the heel of the blade. File the tool back and forth against the knife, moving up and down the tip of the blade while applying medium pressure. Repeat this process once more on the same side, then flip the knife over and repeat on the second side. Wear cut-resistant gloves while attempting this method. </li></ol>

3 Tools to Sharpen Ceramic Knives

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.

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Sharp knives are essential kitchen tools for making the best dishes, and ceramic knives are just about as sharp as they come. However, there are a few things you should know as you hone your ceramic knife sharpening skills. Read on to learn how to sharpen a ceramic knife at home so that you can keep your cutlery in great working order for years to come.

Sharp knives are essential kitchen tools for making the best dishes, and ceramic knives are just about as sharp as they come. However, there are a few things you should know as you hone your ceramic knife sharpening skills. Read on to learn how to sharpen a ceramic knife at home so that you can keep your cutlery in great working order for years to come.
