"osmium" > wrote in message
...
> "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.
>
>
Smooth.
Long discussion in "Razor Edge book of Sharpening" from Razor Edge
systems.

Bottom line is bad steeling is worse than no steeling. He isn't a big
fan of steeling.

I paid 29.95 for an oval diamond thing at Rochester Restaurant Supply.
>
>