But with a sharpening rod that can hone your blade ... home and can be used for all kinds of knives, including kitchen, household, sporting and pocket knives. This sharpens standard and serrated ...

Misconceptions about its purpose notwithstanding, the honing rod doesn't technically sharpen a knife. As the CEO and founder of HORL sharpeners, Timo Horl knows a thing or two about knife maintenance.

It's time to dust off that strange metal tool that's tucked into the center of your knife block. If this contraption is unfamiliar to you, it's called a honing rod, and it's not too hard to use.