Knife blades will lose sharpness as the cutting edge is deformed from use. The sharp tip of the cutting edge can be rolled off center effecting it’s performance. The center of a thumb wheel is knurled and made of a hardened steel. When stroked along the knife edge it can straighten the rolled portions back upright thus re-establishing the sharp edge.

Honing differs from sharpening in that honing re-aligns the cutting edge of a blade vs. using an abrasive to remove material to re-establish an edge due to chips, dents, or just being worn from use.

It is said that “a sharp knife is a safe knife” because it is predictable in it’s cutting action and requires less pressure to use. When stroking the edge you might want to pinch the wind screen to prevent the striker wheel from rolling. It’s the static knurled wheel that straightens the steel edge.

I always carry a lighter and a knife and so whether I’m in the field or traveling about I am able to maintain a sharp edge on my knife.