You need to match you honing steel to the hardness of the knife you are sharpening. That is why I used the Miyabi Thungsten carbide honing steel which ensures the correct hardness to sharpen my Miyabi knives. This one has the added benfit of a beautiful Birchwood handle.
Someone thought this honing steel through. It is 9 inches, a good length for jsut about any knife. The handle is a little chunky - in the best possible way so i can keep it stable. The guard is a nice size to feel safe.