"john royce" > wrote in message
...
| Saw a ceramic knife sharpening steel the other day, are they better in any
| way than the traditional steel steel?
|
| One disadvantage is i guess they might crack or chip if dropped on to a hard
| floor, but apart from that I'm wondering if they do a better job?

I have used one exclusively for the last 10 years or so, and they
certainly do a better job, faster sharpening to a finer edge with
longer lasting results. Mine is pretty much like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/brand-Ceramic-.../dp/B000N5BVN2
One caution is that the ceramic will actually sharpen (shave off minute amounts
of the steel from the blade) whereas a steel will not, its job is to align
the edge of the blade. Given all of that my knives will still outlast me and
show no sign of deterioration. You use it the same way as the steel,
and I obviously would strongly recommend it.

pavane