Henckels Twinworks Honing Steel

[C. Tuai]

Hi All -- Not sure if this qualifies for a historical find, but would be appreciative if could tap into the Henckels expertise to get some information on this honing steel. It's actually a really nice steel. My current one is strictly for knocking off a burr, but this one actually has a little bit of grinding power. It also has a nicer heft and balance.

 

[Benuser]

It's for sure a nice looking one. A little warning about actually using it, though. It won't just knock off a burr, but even raise one, exactly on top of the edge: a wire edge. Offering a crazy sharpness for a very short time. More exactly, until the burr folds or breaks. In the first case you will notice a sudden total bluntness, as it's covering the apex. In the second case a severely damaged edge. If used with other than very soft steel types it's likely to cause chipping — not always immediately, but perhaps a bit later.

 

[Ericfg]

My guess as far as age goes would be 1960s more or less. I suspect it may have been part of a set at one time. Notice the Henckels' twins inset in the handle? That's a feature on the one set I own:

inset:

 

[Ericfg]

An example of an earlier J.A.Henckels hone. My guess for dating is immediately post-WW2:

This has the classic 'beehive' style handle, in this case made of dyed wood, with brass fittings.
Here it is with a 1990s oval J.A.Henckels hone with the common plastic handle:

Deconstructed for cleaning:

An image of the stamping, indicating it's destination for the US (or English-speaking) market: