Quote Originally Posted by CTKnife View Post
Knife rods or Steels are not for sharpening or honing a knife. It is simply used to straighten (push back and align) the edge of a knife. The steel does not remove metal such as a hone does which is required to hone/sharpen a knife or razor.
I have a steel that can put an edge on a dull blade very easily. It's a very old unit, no abrasives, but with tiny ridges running the length of the rod and it works very well. Given the marks it makes on the blade I have to say it most certainly removes material, just not lots of it. Must get it back from Mum's place now that I think of it.