The Ultimate Edge 10-Inch Standard Diamond Sharpening Steel

From Ultimate Edge
	Price: $25.00
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Features - 10 inch by 1/2 inch oval, 600 grit diamond - Fits most standard knife blocks; made of microcrystalline diamonds bonded with nickel to oval steel shaft - Works with serrated knives; also files glass, crystal, and china - Lightweight, versatile and easy to use - Rugged plastic handle has hanging hole Product Description The Ultimate Edge Model 10N Standard is designed to fit in most standard knive blocks. We narrowed the shaft by 1/4 inch. 10 inch by 1/2 inch oval Customer Reviews Not for a polished edge Date: 2008-09-07 | Rating: 5 I confess to being a bit of a geek when it comes to knife sharpening. I keep all of my knifes razor sharp and a box of band-aids in the kitchen for friends who are unaccustomed to working with really sharp knives. I have found the Ultimate Edge to combine the action of a medium sharpening stone with that of a sharpening Steel. Like a steel, the small area of contact with the knife will straighten an edge that has rolled over as a result of contact with something unyielding. Unlike a steel, the diamond grit embedded along its length removes enough metal to create micro-serrations in the edge. Micro-serrations are microscopic teeth raised in the edge through contact with a hard abrasive surface. The good thing about micro-serrations is they help a knife bite. For example, such a knife will slice through the skin of a tomato without slipping. The bad thing about micro-serrations is they wear away rather quickly and must be renewed frequently. Most folks who spend too much time thinking knife sharpening prefer a "polished edge" which is achieved by stropping the edge after shaping and sharpening with a stone. Stropping (sometimes called buffing) involves removing the scratches (and micro-serrations) left by the sharpening stone, resulting in a perfectly smooth edge. A polished edge is extremely sharp and relatively durable. The edge on a new razor blade is an example of a polished edge. I touch up the edges of my knives the first time I feel them slip cutting into a tomato. For knives I use every day that translates to about once a month. If you are someone who wants to maintain a polished edge on your knives - I would not recommend the Ultimate Edge (or any of the other diamond coated steels out there). For the other 99.5% of the population, this is a very useful tool to maintain your knives. With a few strokes, you can raise those serrations and have a ripping sharp knife. Do this every few uses or just before you start a task where a really sharp knife makes a difference. One final thought for those few who have made it this far. By its nature, the Ultimate Edge will create a secondary bevel (or possibly a concave bevel depending on how consistent your are in maintaining the knife/steel angle). This secondary bevel will tend to increase over time eventually reaching the point where it will affect the knifes performance. When this happens, it is wise to have the knife professionally sharpened to reestablish the primary bevel. You will know you have reached this point when you have to hold the knife at an unreasonably steep angle to the steel in order to affect the edge and/or you find it takes a large number of strokes to retouch the edge. Above all expectations! Date: 2005-01-31 | Rating: 5 I purchased this Diamond Sharpening Steel from Amazon and have used it for a couple of days. It really works superb and overall performance is above all expectations. It not only realigns the edge but sharpens it as well. I.e. it removes material (steel) in infinitesimal amount that accumulates on the surface of the tool as extremely fine dust. It takes only a few effortless strokes for simple edge realignment if the knife is sharp or few minutes of work if the knife is dull. But in any case, the result is amazing! Once in a while this Diamond Sharpening Steel should be put under running water for only a few seconds for cleaning and steel dust residue flushes with water. Maintenance is simple and easy. So, whether you have cheap knives or expensive ones this tool is worth the money. The only issue I leave open is durability of this Diamond Sharpening Steel. Theoretically it should last forever but in reality it remains to be seen. Plan on Two Years Use Date: 2008-04-27 | Rating: 5 I sharpen my knives every 4 or 5 uses and find that these sharpeners last about two years. They are the best you can use to get a very sharp edge, but they do wear out. Scrub with a brush and soap and you can extend life. I am ordering my third sharpener and also give them to relatives who are surprised how dull their knives were. Sharpens like a pro! Date: 2008-11-23 | Rating: 5 I have inexpensive knives and this tool made them perform like those used by professional chefs. Only takes 6-8 passes to get a very sharp edge. Definitely makes cooking easier now. Great sharpener Date: 2009-09-30 | Rating: 5 This is my 2nd Ultimate Edge Diamond Shapening Steel. The do wear out after years of honing a fine edge. Highly recommended.