F.Dick Super Fine Balkan Steel

Polish the edge of your knives into superior sharpness with this underrated steel. Use your whetstones to do the heavy lifting of the sharpening, then use this steel to refine your edge to a strong, easy-to-retain, super sharp edge. Honing the edge of your blade after sharpening will reduce the surface friction and remove microscopic, toothy scratches, providing exceptional sharpness.

Stropping on leather with a metal rouge/compound after using this steel is the final step if you are after a mirror finish.

Knife Maintainance

To maintain your exceptionally sharp edge, use this steel daily to realign the edge of your knife. When you use your knife, microscopic bends form along the blade ( burrs). These bends make it feel dull even though the edge is still there. By gliding the knife along the steel at the correct angle (typically 15°–20° for most knives), you are restoring that fine edge alignment.

Think of honing as daily knife maintenance — and sharpening as occasional repair.