Wüsthof Ikon 10-inch Honing Steel, African Blackwood

Built for Ikon owners, the Wüsthof Ikon 10-inch honing steel completes a set of Ikon knives with a handle that matches their African blackwood. Before you cook, two or three passes on each side push the edge of each blade back to center after everyday use has bent it slightly out of line.

The 10-inch rod is long enough for the Ikon chef’s knife and bread knife, and it works on any straight-edged kitchen knife in the drawer, whatever the brand. Wüsthof’s care advice is to wipe it gently with a damp cloth and dry it right away.

Once honing stops reviving a knife, sharpen it with the Wüsthof 10-inch ceramic sharpening rod or the two-stage hand-held sharpener. The steel is part of the Ikon 7-piece block set, and for the Classic Ikon line, see the Classic Ikon 10-inch honing steel. Technique is covered in our guide to honing rods.