Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 12-inch Smooth Butcher Steel

A butcher steel is the meat cutter’s honing tool, and Dexter-Russell’s Sani-Safe 12SB-12 gives a 12-inch smooth surface for realigning and honing the edges of knives. Dexter notes that the smooth surface is less abrasive, so it maintains sharpness without wearing the edge away, and it should be used regularly to keep blades ready.

The 12-inch length suits long breaking knives, cimeters and slicers. The Sani-Safe handle gives a comfortable, secure grip.

Choosing a Steel Length

Choose a steel that is at least an inch longer than the blade being honed. For shorter knives, the 10-inch No Work Smooth Steel is easier to handle. Among the other polishing steels we carry, the F. Dick 10-inch Non-Chromium Polishing Steel is stainless and left unplated, so cutters can scuff its surface with sandpaper to suit their preference. Smooth steels like these suit the softer steels used in working protein knives.