I recently purchased the Birchwood 8" chef's knife and added the Birchwood Sharpening Steel. This steel is tungsten which is an extremely hard metal which slightly sharpens as well as hones the blade. The Birchwood cutlery blades are made from SG2 steel, which means you really need a very hard Sharpening Steel in order to account for the hardness. This steel is perfect for Japanese steels, but can also be used for Western and German cutlery. This is now the only Sharpening Steel I use in the kitchen.
This 9 inch sharpening steel is excellent for maintaining the edge of your knife. It is so important to hone your knives because it can really bring the knife back to life.
Miyabi knives are made from such hard steel that they need special honing steels to keep them performing their best in between sharpening. This steel compliments the Birchwood collection with it's gorgeous handle and details but will work well for all Miyabi knives.
If you love and have Miyabi Birchwood knives, then you also need to own this honing steel from the Birchwood collection. It will re-align your edge, once the knives have been used. This can be a daily event, IF you use the knives daily.
Tungsten carbide is extremely hard which is required when you're maintaining the edge on most Miyabi knives. It can hone and sharpen your knife which is key to keeping them scalpel sharp. Love the birchwood handle! It has such a great feel and is very comfortable.
Every Miyabi knife needs this steel. Yes you can use other steels but this one is made out of Tungsten steel, one of the hardest metals and perfect for your SG2 blades.