Steel type

[Thomas J Ekman]

I have a sharpening steel whose edge is not smooth. What are your opinions on steels - best type (smooth / not smooth), recommended brands etc?
My sharpening steel works for me, but are there better ones, I'll switch.

 

[william8]

I have used smooth steel the one from www.handamerican.com is the one most people around here get there smooth steels at.I don't know who else sells them.But the ones with out the grooves in them seem to work the best.they are used to align the cutting edge of already sharp knife and to keep the edge from rolling over.If your edge is already dull you are kind of out luck with the smooth steel you must resharpen the knife.