Whet Steels

Whet Steels

Whet steels, also known as honing steels or sharpening steels, are long, cylindrical rods used to sharpen and maintain the edges of knives. Despite their name, whet steels do not actually sharpen knives, but rather realign and straighten the blade's edge, which can become bent or misaligned with use. They are typically made of steel, ceramic, or diamond-coated steel, and come in a variety of lengths and textures. To use a whet steel, the blade of the knife is drawn along the length of the steel at a consistent angle, with the heel of the blade at the top of the steel and the tip at the bottom. This process is repeated several times on each side of the blade until the edge is straightened and the knife is sharp. Whet steels are commonly used in professional kitchens and by home cooks who want to maintain the sharpness of their knives. While whet steels are effective at maintaining the sharpness of a blade, they are not a substitute for actual knife sharpening. Over time, the edge of a knife will become dull and require sharpening using a sharpening stone or electric sharpener. However, regular use of a whet steel can extend the life of a knife between sharpenings and help to maintain its sharpness.

honing steels, sharpening steels, straighten, blade, sharpening stone

— Thomas Taylor