F. Dick 10-inch Round Fine Cut Sharpening Steel, Red Handle

Butchers, meat processors, fishmongers and line cooks hone constantly through a shift, and this is the kind of steel they reach for. A fine cut has a little texture, enough to bring back the edge on German and American knives under 60 Rockwell without being aggressive, so it can be used many times a day.

Fine cut is the sensible default for most Western knives. It keeps a good edge on standard stainless and carbon steel blades, while a regular cut adds more texture for heavier wear and a polishing steel suits the softest stamped knives.

Round or Oval?

The F. Dick 10-inch Fine Cut Oval Steel has the same fine cut on an oval rod, which puts more of the rod against the blade on each stroke and will not roll off a counter. For soft stamped butcher knives, the F. Dick 10-inch Non-Chromium Polishing Steel is the better match. Our Honing Rod Guide explains the difference between cuts.