The nine-inch Honing Steel features a half-grooved and half-smooth finish. The grooved, coarse side of the steel is used for regular maintenance, to realign the microscopic teeth on the blade's edge. The smooth, fine side of the steel is used after honing on the grooved side to finish the edge. For average use, the grooved side can be used weekly, and the smooth side, daily. Regularly honed knives will retain their edges longer before needing to be sharpened.•X-7 steel•Coarse grooved side for weekly maintenance and to realign the microscopic teeth on the blade's edge•Fine smooth side finishes the edge for daily honing•G-10 fiberglass octagonal handle with faux wood grain design•Single stainless steel mosaic rivet•Hand wash only