The Honing Steel has an 8-inch length and features a finish that is half grooved and half smooth. The grooved side is for regular maintenance, while the smooth side is for finishing the edge. It is recommended to use the grooved side weekly and the smooth side daily. The design includes an ergonomic handle for a comfortable grip, and it is well balanced. The handle pairs nicely with the single mosaic rivet. It is designed for honing and maintaining blade edges between sharpenings. It is NSF Certified and comes with a Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects. To clean, wash with warm water and a little detergent, rinse carefully, and dry with a towel.