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Sharpening Rod - Uliassi Series (X03)
Part of the X03 series — Xinzuo's collaboration with three-Michelin-star chef Mauro Uliassi. A 14Cr14MoVNb powder-steel honing rod, hardened to 62-64 HRC, with a rosewood handle to match the knives.
$199.95
or 4 interest-free payments of $49.99 with
30-day returns
Free shipping over $100
Lifetime warranty
FAST SHIPPING
IN STOCK
62-64 HRC
Hardened Rod
Powder Steel
14Cr14MoVNb
Rosewood
Matches the Set
DESCRIPTION
Reach for this between sessions, not just when something feels dull. A honing rod doesn't sharpen a blade - it realigns the edge that's folded over from ordinary use. Five or six passes before a prep session and your knife cuts the way it did the week you bought it. This one matches the Uliassi Series in handle material and finish, so it lives on the block without looking out of place.
Diamond Particles, Not Just Steel
The rod is 430 stainless steel coated with diamond particles, which means it can both realign a rolled edge and lightly refine it on the same pass. It works on any of the X03 series knives, including the powder steel core blades at 62 HRC - hardness that a plain steel honing rod can struggle to grip. Diamond abrasive bites into hard steel where a smooth rod just slides. The rosewood handle matches the rest of the Uliassi Series and the 23 cm rod length gives enough working surface for the 10-inch chef and carving knives.
Specifications
- Material: 430 stainless steel with diamond particle coating
- Rod Length: 23 cm
- Handle: Rosewood
- Use: Realigning and lightly refining the edge on 62 HRC powder steel blades between sharpening sessions.
- Series: Uliassi Series (X03)
- Model: X03-MDB
READY TO GIFT
Arrives in a premium gift box engraved Xinzuo for Mauro Uliassi. Ready to give — or to keep.
THE NERDY BITS
Type: Honing / sharpening rod
Steel: 14Cr14MoVNb powder steel
Hardness: 62-64 HRC
Heat treatment: Vacuum + deep-freeze cryo
Handle: Rosewood
Made: By hand in Yangjiang, China
The X03 Series — Xinzuo × Mauro Uliassi
Designed for a three-Michelin-star kitchen
A collaboration with Mauro Uliassi — the Italian chef whose restaurant held three Michelin stars from 2019 to 2025 — co-designed with Steve Cheng. The honing rod matches the X03 knives in powder steel and rosewood. Made by hand in Yangjiang, China — the city of knives, with roughly 1,400 years of blade-making heritage.
Add to cart — $199.95
In stock. Ships from Australia. Hand-wash only.
Hone, don't sharpen
Realign the edge. Stay sharp.
A honing rod doesn't grind metal away — it straightens the edge that rolls over with everyday use. Five or six passes before a prep session and your knife cuts like it did the week you bought it. Reach for it often; save the whetstone for occasionally.
- 62-64 HRC
- powder steel
- rosewood
Powder-steel rod
Hard enough to true a hard edge.
A 14Cr14MoVNb powder-steel rod, hardened to 62-64 HRC with vacuum heat treatment and a deep-freeze cryo cycle — hard enough to realign even hard Japanese-style edges. The rosewood handle is the same as the X03 knives.
Specification
The numbers.
TypeHoning / sharpening rod
Steel14Cr14MoVNb powder
Hardness62-64 HRC
Heat treatmentVacuum + deep-freeze cryo
HandleRosewood
MadeBy hand in Yangjiang, China
Hand-wash only — not dishwasher safe.
Matches the set
Built to live with the knives.
The same rosewood handle and finish as the X03 knives, so it sits on the block or in the drawer without looking out of place.
Hone vs sharpen
When to use what.
Honing rod (this one)
- Realigns a rolled edge
- Use before prep — often
- Takes seconds, no skill needed
- Removes no metal
A whetstone
- Grinds a new edge
- Use occasionally
- Takes time and technique
- Removes metal
X03 Honing Rod
Ready when you are.
14Cr14MoVNb powder steel · 62-64 HRC · rosewood handle.
Add to cart — $199.95- 30-day returns
- Free shipping over $100
- Lifetime warranty
Care & questions
How often should I use it?
A few passes before each prep session — far more often than you'd sharpen.
Does it actually sharpen the knife?
No. It hones — it realigns the edge. To truly sharpen, use a whetstone occasionally.
Will it work on my other knives?
Yes — it works on standard double-bevel kitchen knives, not just the X03 range.
How do I clean it?
Hand-wash with warm soapy water and dry it straight away. Not dishwasher safe.
Is it made in Japan?
No. It's hand-made in Yangjiang, China, as part of the Xinzuo × Mauro Uliassi collaboration.
From the journal
Guides to help you get the most from your knife
