The revolutionary EdgeLogix Impact Resistant Ceramic Steel 11" Knife Sharpener Black 2,000 Grit (16273BLK) offers the optimum in knife maintenance performance and break resistant design. Ceramic honing rods are a much harder than traditional steels and, because of their evenly grained surfaces, are superior at honing blade edges. HIRC black ceramic rods use an ultra-fine 2,000 grit surface for fine finishing and polishing most edges. HIRC rods work especially well on the harder steels used in Japanese blades. HIRC rods are also highly impact resistant because they are reinforced with latex rubber wrapped steel cores that absorb shock. The polypropylene tip keeps the rod from slipping on a cutting surface while honing a knife.