J.A. Henckels 9-Inch Poly Sharpening Steel

 (53 customer reviews)

This steel is very nice for the price. The length is fine for nearly any knife and the material itself is of a suitable hardness for correcting cutting edges. The handle is easy to hold, and it has a nice heft and balance. Exactly what I would expect from a Henckels product.

Now, a brief clarification: A steel will absolutely not "sharpen" your knife. It doesn't have a grit so much as the steel used is much harder than the knife. (If you have a dull edge you can run it along the finest steel for hours and not get a sharper cutting edge.) What it does do is simply correct the angle of the knife's edge that tends to get bent to either side during normal use. When you run the leading edge of the knife down the steel in the correct manner, a sharp edge should go back to the appropriate angle. If you have a dull blade, you need to hone a new edge. (For that you may consider using a professional sharpening service. this can be a little tough for a novice...sorry!) Once that is...Read more

REMINDER: Sharpening steels are of extremely fine grit - use to KEEP the blades sharp... the finishing touch, if you will. To repair a blade with significant damage, you'll need to get a sharpening stone.

All in all, this sharpening steel is as advertised: the Henckels name, solid construction, nice grip.

The sharpening steel will probably last longer than I will.

It is what it says it is and is great for putting that finished edge on knives. About 6 or 7 passes on each side keeps my wifes favorite kitchen knife razor keen. Also used it on my pocket knife, cuts through boxes like butter.