Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Pro S 12-Inch Honing Steel
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