My Mother-in-Law’s Tool for Sharpening Knives: A Debate Resolved

 

The tool in the image is a honing steel (also called a sharpening steel).

Does It Sharpen Knives?

Not exactly! Honing steels realign the edge of a knife but do not remove metal, meaning they don’t actually sharpen a dull blade. They help maintain the sharpness of a knife between proper sharpenings.

How to Use a Honing Steel:

1. Hold the steel vertically with the tip resting on a cutting board.
2. Hold the knife at a 15-20° angle against the steel.
3. Swipe the blade away from your body, sliding from heel to tip.
4. Repeat 5-10 times per side to realign the edge.

For actual sharpening, you’ll need a whetstone or a knife sharpener that removes metal.

Was this the debate you were having with your mother-in-law?