I live in an area that was settled by German farmers so maybe that explains this: we have lots of flea market type things in Berks & Lancaster Counties PA. I can go to one of them and find lots of old steels selling for just a few dollars each. Several years ago I bought two old ones that I liked the looks of. One of them is excellent (I don't even know where the second is). Five or six strokes is all it takes to make my blades sharp again.

I hear you out here Montana is a real melting pot of nationalities also the main reason I'm a fan of the F Dick steel is the orange handle shows up very well if I drop it while butchering a steer or other big critter.

Just received my F.Dick polished steel that Allan Minear recomended, WOW! The difference between it and the other two steels I've been using for years is like night and day. I've touched up ever skinning knife in my fur shed, (way more than I should own), and they are now razor sharp, with very little effort on my part. Thanks for the "heads up" , Allan!

Anytime I hate to say this ...... but I told ya so ha ha I just wish I'd of found out about them a long time ago it would of saved a bunch of knives over the year's .
If you use a knife scabbard and use a lite chain to keep it around your waist fasten the steel to the end link of chain so it doesn't get lost .
And as I mentioned it just takes a few soft passes for each side of the knife to get the desired results , I'm glad I could help.
Allan

I worked in my Dad's leather shop for 40+ years. We used Henckels steels to keep leather knives tuned up razor sharp. Several swipes and back in action. I still use an old Henckels steel in the fur shed.

Here there's nothing wrong with those steels I've got one , I've got a addiction to knives and what it takes to keep them sharp .

The bottom line is to use what work's best for you it's just like setting snares or traps if you're not confident in the set you won't catch anything but be open minded enough to new ideas to learn new things when the chance arises.