I have always used Hinkle nice since I was a young adult. And I have always been very careful to continually sharpen them with the steel. The only thing I have ever needed to replace what is the steel after several years of use. On this occasion we accidentally discarded the paring knife so we replaced it with a set.I want to emphasize that I try to sharpen the knives after cleaning them after every use. And I have had my nice for 40 years. They are as sharp as when they were new. It’s impossible for me to give a better rating than that.