I picked up a nice 12" Dexter sharpening steel minus the handle out of the $2 box at a flea market this weekend. The guy didn't have a clue what it was, seems most people don't. A good Dexter steel goes for around $40 and up so I added a nice new turned mahogany handle and came out good.
I've always liked good sharpening tools and have a couple shoe boxes of good quality stones including 5-6 steels.
Anyone else here use a steel ? I keep one for kitchen knives and even use one on my edc knives. You can touch a knife up quickly without having to drag out the rocks. Touching up the existing edge save a lot of wear over honing.
Dave