Thrift store score ?

[DeadeyeLefty]

I stopped by the Sally-Ann on my way home today and I found a 3 knife set with a steel. On looking at it, the knives were cheap and nasty but someone had included a sharpening steel that didn't quite match.

It's marked with "ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS" and "SOLINGEN GERMANY" on what would be the ricasso if it was a blade. The icon is two figures and it's 10" long. The (wooden) handle's 'hanging ring' appears to be polished stainless with a quillon guard looks like it's cast.

I know there's a bunch of different quality products carrying that name, but I don't know much about kitchen cutlery. For $1.50 it doesn't really matter - I'm just curious.

I assume steels are best stored just with a wipe of food grade oil ?

Thanks in advance, folks

 

[flnder]

Zwilling is the german word for twins and if your product has the twins icon" icon is two figures "that means it is german made and high quality. If you get one with one man holding a spear,that means it is henckels international and could be made anywhere. that's the story anyway,I have seen twins on some spanish made stuff

 

[Jeff Clark]

More important than the brand of the steel is the surface texture. You want a smooth surface without ribs or grooves. Ribbed steels chew up your blade.

I have bought several high quality steels at the local Goodwill store.