This Wüsthof Sharpening Steel Classic 12"  (4474-32) is made to match your set of Wüsthof Classic knives. It is best suited for professional or home use where knives reach beyond the conventional 10 inch length , and the metal accents near the handle promote durability, while being aesthetically pleasing to boot! To ensure that your knives stay beautifully sharp, a honing steel should be used regularly. Over time, knives will deteriorate and lose their edge. Honing re-aligns the microscopic teeth in the blade that can't be seen with the naked eye. By regularly honing your knives, you will maximize the time in between sharpening. WÜSTHOF honing steels are made from hard chromium plated steel with a hardness of 65 Rockwell. All honing steels are produced from an alloy tool steel (material no. 2210) with 1.15%C (carbon) content, .6% chromium and .03% vanadium.