The F. Dick 10 in. Oval Diamond Sharpening Steel is 600 grit oval and solid, excellent quality. The diamond is well adhered to the steel. Oval shape provides maximum contact with the knife edge, and very few manufacturers use solid steel construction. This is a premier diamond rod on the market today most diamond rods are vastly inferior as the put a light coat of diamond dust to coat the exterior of the steel which flakes off entirely with only a couple of uses. This German made diamond rod has the diamond material ingrained in the steel and will last years instead of months. If you buy cheap Chinese diamond steels you will get poor results, by real German made products and take your edge more seriously. Made in Germany.