SHARPAL 119N Diamond Knife Sharpener Sharpening Rod, Honing Steel 25 cm / 10 Inch (Extra Fine 1200 Grit Diamond Coated)

Very good sharpening my knife excellent

Really does put the edge back on all my knives. As an ex- butcher, I've used a conventional steele for longer than I care to remember, but this one brings the edge back quicker! It feels almost magnetic in use, so much so that I had to test it,- but it isn't. I only hope that it is as durable as it is purported to be. I would have preferred an extra 2", (wouldn't all men?),- but I knew it was 10" when I ordered it, and it works fine. I was really, REALLY surprised by the price,- absolute bargain!

Sharpens well but seems a little to coarse for my liking. This takes metal off to leave a sharp edge really well, but personally for me anyway it seems a little too coarse, more 500 grit rather than 1000, but it does the job without fuss and so far seems to be holding up well. its still a lot better than those pull through type sharpeners which really destroy knives and I just finish off with a steel to get an acceptable edge on mediocre kitchen knives. Wont be going anywhere near my Wusthof icon though.

I bought this as a present for a friend, on the advice of another friend, who uses knives in a professional capacity. My friend was very clear in his advice. He told me that this is not a sharpening steel, but a honing steel; knives need to first be sharpened with a different method and this should be used for just a final couple of passes at the end, to add a keenness to the blade. If you try to use it to sharpen a blade, rather than hone it, it’s not going to last. Secondly, he feels that this is a domestic item, and therefore aimed at domestic use only. If you try to use it in a professional capacity, it’s not going to last. And thirdly, he told me that honing steels are a consumable item and something that will need to be replaced at some point, depending on the level of skill of the user and the amount of use. Like many things, whether you like a steel or not comes down to personal preference. My friend confirmed that this is a good steel for the money. It is comfortable to hold and well-balanced. The diamond coating is a very fine grade, but that is what he would expect to see, to gain the finish he requires. In conclusion, he said that there are other steels out there that will last a lot longer, but he is a fan of this one.

Great feel, very sturdy in the hand. A very good sound from the knife to the steel, which has a great diamond surface. I have more than one steel this is about the best. I would highly recommend it. R

Does the job well. Instructions for sharpening scalloped blades are very clear.

I bought this 11 months ago and for the first few months it was fantastic. It had the best sharpening results I had ever experienced. But it gradually deteriorated and now it doesn't sharpen at all. I was delighted at first, but I am now disappointed because it hasn't lasted. Perhaps if it was a bit cheaper and clearly stated it is for medium to short term use only, I would give it full marks.

Good sharpener but the surface almost feels a little too fine. Time will tell