diamond sharpening steel

[mrcharly-YHT]

My son's diamond-coated sharpening steel has worn out and I'd like to get him a replacement for christmas.
Suggestions for something half-decent, please. Budget under £80

[tiermat]

http://sharkdesigns.co.uk/home_pages/1_sharpening_online_store.html#sharpening_steels

I got my stone from these guys, at Auntie C's recommendation.

Top class guys.

[Charlotte]

They are indeed.  Does your son want a round chef's steel like the one tiermat linked to or a pukka sharpening stone system?

For kitchen knives, you can't go far wrong with the combination of a proper Japanese waterstone for sharpening and a long steel for touchups.  Another option would be a folding hone - I have the DMT Diafold extra-fine and extra-extra fine combination which I use on all sorts of knives and it is very lovely indeed.

[mrcharly-YHT]

It needs to be a steel - and only the diamond coated or ceramic ones actually sharpen.

Like most chefs, he uses it mid-cooking and hence it must be washable. I doubt he has the patience to learn to use a stone.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Shark designs hit the spot. DMT have good reputation - I've ordered one of those.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Shark designs - excellent service, good prices. The boy should be happy

[Riggers]

I'd argue, having just looked at Shark Designs, they are just a tad exorbitant M'Lud!!!

For example: the DMT - Diamond Mini-Sharp (Fine)(F70F) is selling for £18.95, whereas an ironmongers in Brighton (Aird & Co), who I'd normally class as expensive, sell the self-same item for £7.95 which has the plastic guard too.

As it happened, they were also selling (again, the same item) but in a pack of three (fine, rough, extra fine, for £7.95 without the plastic housing … so I bought those!

So think on young skywalker.

[mrcharly-YHT]

The steel I bought wasn't cheaper anywhere else on the web. The items you mention are obviously cheaper elsewhere.

I'd suggest that your ironmongers were selling old stock and hadn't updated their prices. Congrats on finding a bargain.