Product Description

Henckels sharpening steels are the key to keeping your knives sharp. In order to sharpen a knife, the steel must have a hardness factor greater than the knife to be sharpened; with a Rockwell hardness factor of 66 degrees, Henckels sharpening steels are harder than even super hard Henckels FRIODUR, ice-hardened blades. To easily sharpen a knife, hold the steel point down on a table or cutting board, at an angle between knife and steel of 20 degrees, pull the knife down and across the sharpening steel in a slight arc. Alternate between right and left sides of the knife 3 to 4 times. All steels are magnetic to hold small particles removed from the knife blade and are made of chrome-plated carbon steel. A sharp knife will provide maximum safety. Use the sharpening steel regularly, preferably every other time the knife is used

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16424 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Henckels
• Model: 32555-310
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 2.00" w x 18.00" l, 1.10 pounds

Features

• 12-inch steel realigns knives' blade-edges
• Long enough to hone all knives
• Hanging loop on black poly handle and finger-guard
• Wipe with dry cloth, if necessary
• Lifetime warranty against defects

Amazon.com Review
This honing steel serves a vital role by realigning, or "resetting," kitchen knives' edges, which bend this way and that when contacting a cutting surface. (Often called a sharpening steel, or "butcher" steel, a steel doesn't actually sharpen a knife--unless it's a "diamond" steel.) Consisting of a rod of hard steel-alloy with a tough synthetic handle and a steel finger guard, this steel works well and looks better than most hanging close at hand, where you can employ it frequently—ideally each time you use a knife. That prevents a blade from becoming dull and prolongs intervals between professional sharpenings. The rule is that a steel should be at least as long as the knife blade being drawn across it, and this steel's 12-inch rod hones all household knives. The steel carries a lifetime warranty against defects. --Fred Brack

Customer Reviews

essential kitchen tool--don't cook without it
Oh, I can't tell you how happy I am to have this well-made honing steel--it feels so good that I don't even have to force myself to go five strokes on both sides of the blade before I start chopping (as Dinosaur Jr. would have it). This is a very nice and solid piece of equipment, it looks pretty good, and it does what it's supposed to do very well.

Now, for those who say "it's not a sharpening tool!"--you're right. Then again, since I got this thing, and have started using it very regularly, I have not had to sharpen any of my knives, and yes, even blades that seemed all too dull were not beyond salvation. I cannot tell (though I know the definitions) were honing stops and sharpening starts, but I have the feeling that if your knives aren't in too bad a shape they might well benefit from a serious application of the steel. Don't offend the purists and call that 'sharpening'--but as long as your knives cut better as a result, who cares what the purists call it?

One final thing: as with many tools, size counts: 12 inches seems, to me, to be some sort of a minimum length for a honer--this one is long enough, and I certainly wouldn't consider a 10-inch steel.

THE REAL CUTTING EDGE

Most of us know the importance of sharp knives for proper food preparation and gracious serving. Of course, I had to learn the hard way - by mashing a tomato instead of chopping it, by "sawing" a roast rather than slicing it, and by cutting and pulling off a plump roast turkey leg rather than carving it. Those are just a few of the reasons I'm such a fan of my Henckels Sharpening Steel.

After trying both a stone and steel, the steel is my favorite for ease of use and appearance. This steel is not only utilitarian but handsome with a ribbed handle that's easy to hold and silvertone handle guard and hanging ring. First off, a good way to test whether or not your knives are sharp is to hold a piece of paper by the top corner and then attempt to "slice" it. If knives won't do this - head for the steel! You'll be amazed - sometimes it takes only a few strokes on the steel to make your knife sharp, sharper, then sharpest.

Remember to place the metal end of the steel on a sturdy surface, such as a butcher block table or cutting board then position the base of the blade on the steel and begin. This Henckels sharpening steel is certainly a cut above any other. - Gail Cooke

Effective.
This 12" steel performs its job admirably, providing a nice long surface to stroke a blade across and developing a distinctive ring characteristic when the blade is struck across correctly.

I've been maintaining my blades for about six months with it and have had no need to pursue any further sharpening as of yet.