Honing and sharpening steels

A honing steel is one of the most accessible and widely used tools for edge maintenance. Unlike sharpening stones, however, it doesn't truly sharpen a knife—it doesn't remove material from the blade, but rather straightens out the fine deformations of the edge that occur with regular use. This is why a honing steel is great for regularly reviving an edge between sharpening cycles.

You can choose between steel, ceramic, or diamond honing steels—each has slightly different properties. Steel is the most common and affordable, ceramic offers a very fine grit, and diamond honing steels can even handle light sharpening while maintaining the blade's shape.

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The Difference Between Sharpening and Edge Maintenance

Many people confuse a honing steel with a sharpening tool, but their functions are different:

• Sharpening = removing material, creating a new edge.
• Honing (with a honing steel) = straightening an existing edge without removing material.

By using a honing steel, you can significantly extend the intervals between sharpenings and keep your knives sharp for longer.

Proper Technique for Working with a Honing Steel

Working with a honing steel requires a bit of practice, but once you master the technique, it's a quick and effective way to keep your knife in good condition:

• Hold the steel vertically—for example, on a non-slip mat.
• Pull the knife at a 15-20° angle—alternating on each side of the blade.
• Repeat 5 to 10 times on each side.

📌Tip: A consistent angle and gentle pressure are important—the goal isn't to sharpen but to straighten the edge.

Most Popular Models for Everyday Use

At Kniland.com, you'll find quality honing steels from brands like Victorinox, Morakniv, Taidea, Dick, and Lansky, which are ideal for quickly and effectively restoring the edge of both kitchen and hunting knives. The choice depends on the length of the knife's blade as well as personal preferences.

📌Tip: The ideal length of a honing steel is at least 1.5 times longer than the blade of the knife being honed.