A honing rod, also known as a sharpening steel, is a kitchen tool used to maintain the edge of a knife. It is typically made of steel, ceramic, or diamond-coated materials and features a long, slender design. By running the knife blade along the honing rod, users can realign the edge, making it sharper and more effective for cutting. Honing rods are often confused with sharpening stones, but they serve a different purpose. While sharpening stones remove material to create a new edge, honing rods simply straighten the existing edge. Regular use of a honing rod can prolong the life of kitchen knives, such as those made by Wüsthof or Victorinox.