Beginner’s Guide to Knife Sharpening Steel

Having the right set of knives can make a lot of difference in your cooking, however, everything can go in vain if not having the right sharpening tool. Whether you like it or not, your knives will get dull over time which is understandable if using them frequently, so having a tool that will help you keep them sharp would be perfect. The choice of these sharpening tools is huge, but it’s the knife-sharpening steel that is among the most commonly used ones.

What Is Sharpening Steel?

Also known as honing steel, sharpening steel is an essential tool designed to keep your kitchen knives as sharp as possible. Even if you aren’t a knife collector of some unique and authentic knives, you will still need this tool to keep them sharp and nice. This will aid your cooking, making it a piece of cake. The purpose of this tool is simple, to smooth out any rough edges on the blade and to sharpen it. Practice shows that a honing tool of this kind can prolong the life of your knives and prevent them from becoming dull and misaligned.

An important thing to know is that this sharpening tool is nothing like sharpening stones. Its purpose is to align any roughness and enhance its cutting performance simply. Depending on the knives you have, you should choose different types of honing steels.

Stainless Steel

This honing rod is mainly made from stainless steel and is known as the most commonly used type of sharpening tool. Such rods usually feature a long and cylindrical shaped wand and are perfect for maintaining the knife’s edge. The greatest thing about these tools is that, unlike others, the stainless steel rods don’t remove that much material from the blade which is the goal. Instead, they realign and strengthen the edges making them sharper, better to use and more efficient.

These rods are known for their longevity, durability and ability to withstand accidental impacts. This means that they are almost impossible to break or chip which is one of the many reasons why people and chefs in fact prefer using them. They are also non-reactive and won’t rust which makes them the healthiest and safest possible option on the market.

Ceramic

As the name suggests, these tools are made/coated with ceramic materials which makes them perfect for sharpening harder steel knives. Unfortunately, these rods are more prone to breakage and chips especially if you drop them accidentally. That being said, you should take good care of them if you want them to last you for a long period of time.

Diamond

Diamond steels are coated with industrial-grade diamond particles. These steels are considered the most abrasive making them perfect for sharpening even the dullest knives. However, keep in mind that they are more aggressive and can even remove material from your knives’ blades. That being said, you should work gently and with care in order not to damage the blades even more.

How to Use It?

Take the steel and hold it with the point down in the left hand or in the right hand if you are left-handed. Hold it firmly with the tip pointed and sitting on a dry cutting board and take the knife in the other hand. Hold it against the steel with the back of the blade touching the steel and start pulling the knife backwards against you. Make sure to cover the entire knife’s blade and repeat this action at least 10 times. Once done, switch the blade’s sides and repeat the same thing 10 times.

After using the sharpening tool, rinse it and carefully wipe the clade with a dry towel.

How to Choose the Right One?

Aside from choosing the right type and material, there are some other important things to take into account to make the right choice.

Length

Just like they come in different materials, you should also know that these tools come in different lengths as well. Generally speaking, they range somewhere between 23 and 36 cm and practice shows that longer blades aren’t only good for sharpening longer knives but they also provide more stability and control. However, shorter steels are easier to move around and store, so the type you choose should mainly depend on your needs and preferences.

Handle

Aside from the length, you should also pay attention to the steel’s handle. The chosen type should be easy to hold and comfortable while providing you with a good grip. That being said, you should choose one with a non-slip grip to ensure you with safe and efficient sharpening.

Shape

Aside from their round shape, these steels can also come in oval and square shape out of which the round shape is the most commonly used one. Even though the oval model is also commonly used, the square one is the least used as it doesn’t interact well with the knives’ blades.