When that time comes that you need to touch up the sharp edge of your Wusthof knife the 12" oval steel is a good option. The Wusthof 12" inch oval steel can align your knife edge quickly and easily. The oval shape has more surface area so the fine knife edge will realign rapidly. The Oval Steel is a honing steel and not a sharpener. It will realaign your knife edge but will not put a new edge on it.