"Melba's Jammin'" writes:

> It was on sale for $60. We also got him
> a Wusthof steel ($10 for the 7"), and a couple paring knives (a birds
> beak and a 'regular' one) [ ..]

I would recommend a diamond "steel" for a beginner. It is actually a grind
stone with a grit of about 600 or 800.

I loved your description in an earlier post, Melba, of "whatever a steel
does" or words to that effect.

As a teenager I worked in a packing house and the knives those guys (not us
kids) used were *sharp*. I would like to know what their steel looks like.
Is it smooth or does it have grooves on it in some pattern or other?

I wouldn't expect to buy a diamond steel for $10, though.