Zwilling J.A. Henckels Oval 12-Inch Honing Steel

The Zwilling J. A. Henckels logo is one of the oldest trademarks on record and is recognized the world over as a symbol of highest quality and function. The Zwilling J. A. Henckels brand was established on June 13, 1731, the day knife maker Peter Henckels registered the Zwilling logo with the Cutlers Guild of Solingen. He chose Zwilling because June 13 falls under the astrological sign of Gemini and the German word Zwilling means twin or Gemini. Since then, the brand has been committed to uncompromising quality and form. Today, nearly 280 years later, Zwilling J. A. Henckels is appreciated around the world for its excellent innovative products. Zwilling J. A. Henckels stands for knives that are sharp, tough, durable, cut well, ergonomic, and beautiful.

The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S Oval Sharpening Steel is ideal to use between sharpening. Using a honing steel regularly is very important and will lessen the amount of times you will need to sharpen your knives. Despite its name, a sharpening steel doesn't actually sharpen, unless it's a diamond or ceramic steel, but it does perform the vital task of realigning a knife's edge, which can bend through contact with a cutting surface or other hard object. The steel's oval shape exposes more surface to the blade so you achieve the same results as a with a round steel but with fewer strokes. The steel features a finger guard and a hanging ring on its handle, and its grooved, black synthetic handle provides a fist-firm grip. To use simply place the heel of the knife blade onto the steel at a 20° angle and pull downward with little pressure. Repeat on each side 7 to 8 times. Made in Germany.

Despite its name, a sharpening steel doesn't actually sharpen, unless it's a "diamond" steel, but it does perform the vital task of realigning a knife's edge, which can bend through contact with a cutting surface or other hard object. This steel, a tapered rod of hard steel alloy, works as well as any, if not better, since its oval shape exposes more surface to the blade. It features a finger guard and a hanging ring on its handle, and its grooved, black synthetic handle provides a fist-firm grip. Using the steel often--ideally, every time you haul out a knife--prevents a blade from becoming dull and prolongs the intervals between professional sharpenings. Since the rule of thumb is that a steel should be at least as long as the knife blade being drawn across it, this steel's length is sufficient for most household knives. --Fred Brack