Arkansas SharpenersSuperstick Ceramic Rod, White

Very thick, works great

This thing is MUCH larger than I'd expected, which was a good thing. This thing looks like something you'd beat someone with, as opposed to hone a knife. It's about 18 inches long and the ceramic rod is about an inch in diameter. I am under 40 years old, and would imagine this to be an item that I could put in my last will and testiment. I love it!!As for its honing capabilities: I would say that this rod has been my missing link. I will use this rod between my stones and my strop, and for most all of my knifes, it will be the starting point, before hitting them with the strop.I have a BK16 that I had in the field the week prior to this ceramic rod ariving. I wouldn't say that it was dull, but it was not at peak sharpness. I rubbed it on this ceramic rod about 100 times each side, rubbed on the back of my leather belt, and I am amazed at how sharp that BK16 is.I then decided to do the same to my Esee Avispa that has been riding around in my pocket, cutting everything it has the chance to cut, and it is the sharpest it has ever been.Just for kicks, I pulled out my Esee 5 and did a quick sharpness test on a piece of news paper. It would cut the paper, but not anything like the BK16 and Azispa would cut the paper. I initially thought the difference was due to the difference in blade thickness. However, after rubbing it on the ceramic rod 100 times each side, and then on the strop, it would glide through the paper just like the other 2 knifes.This rod isn't going to replace your need for a good set of stones, as they have their own purpose. However, it is exactly what I have been missing to keep my knifes in shape, and the sharpest they have ever been.Go ahead and buy this rod. If you use it like it in the correct stage of the sharpening process, you will love yours like I love mine.I hope this helped you make your buying decision.

We really are happy with this knife sharpener, easy to use and fit in my kitchen drawer. I would definitely recommend.

I bought it for my curved knives. The rod is just as large and heavy as so many reviewers suggested. Obviously the quality is as what a normal Amazon shopper would expect for the price.I had to return the first one because the handle came off and both ends were badly chipped. The replacement handle came off too and there were chips on the second one too but it wasn't too bad. But the worst part was the little bump that irritated the heck out of me. Half an hour of elbow grease remedied it though. I use it without the handle for now.I think it is good enough for a utility knife. I would easily recommend it for any normal kitchen. But there is a learning curve. For the price, I think the deal is good.I think it is too heavy and brittle for travel use. For ppl who like shiny mirror finished knives, this is not for you. Neither is it for ppl who like to tote it around like a butcher's steel.I have yet to have success with the curved knives. But overall, I like it and recommend it. I would have given four stars but it was damaged and I had to fix the bump.update:----I have since hot-glued the rod to the handle. It helps my kitchen and other general purpose knives maintain a razor edge easily. Besides, it is easy to clean with a scrub and some dish-detergent. It is an excellent value and for that reason I am adding a star to it.The reason I do not give five stars is because of the bump it came with. Also there is a line along the rod (probably from its manufacturing process) that I had not noticed earlier that screws up the honing process once in a while. Apart from those issues, I am loving it and would recommend the rod to others.

>.. This is an outstanding CERAMIC ROD Sharpener. It will sharpen just about any knife it can see. BUT, some people on video are using it held out from the body like TV chefs do with their steels.>.. This is not a steel, and a steel is not a sharpener. As has been explained elsewhere a steel straightens out the edge of the knife, not put a new edge on it. A steel can extend the usefulness of the edge, though.>.. This ceramic rod is a sharpener, and is designed to be placed with the tip of the rod on a table or counter and held vertically. That's why the handle is shaped as it is, and not like a knife handle. With the flat tip on a rag or towel, and the handle held upright, it is easy to make even slices down on the right and left, sharpening the blade.NOTE: this tool is not for the finest culinary knives. Many of them have an edge design of less than 10 degrees, and even in the correct position, it is very hard to maintain a 10 degree edge through the whole stroke. They need other sharpening done, usually using wet stones of very fine grit.>.. This ceramic rod will sharpen anything that can be stroked down the rod, or rubbed along a vice stabilized blade (axe, lawn-mover blade, etc.} I would not use on scissors. When thinking about axe or machete or many tools, sharp at the very tip and fatter above, allows the tool to cut, and release as the blunt follows the sharp widening the cut and releasing the sharp edge of the blade.