Henckel Sharpening steel

[zealot]

*NOOB ALERT* Is it ok to use my Henckel sharpening steel on my ats-34 and 154CM folders, or should I get something else like the "sharpmaker everyone is raving about. Thanks Z

 

[kel_aa]

You can restore an well formed but deformed edge back to some of its original qualities with a steel. You cannot sharpen with it, unless yours is ceramic coated. Pluck the money down on the Sharpmaker and a coarse stone or a coarse diamond lap (I prefer to use the diamond lap on some valued folders as I have slightly more control and am less likely to scratch the blade) and you'll be good to go.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Grooved steels also need to be used with care on the harder blades. Traditionally they are used with a lot of force which actually files the edges on softer blades leaving them with very aggressive slicing edges. However if you try this on a 60 HRC high alloy steel with little ductility then the knife edge will crack apart and the steel will get damaged.

-Cliff