A honing steel and a sharpening steel are two different tools used for different purposes in the maintenance and care of knives. Here's an explanation of the differences between the two:

1. Honing Steel: A honing steel, also known as a honing rod or a sharpening rod, is a tool used to realign and maintain the edge of a knife between sharpenings. It does not remove significant amounts of metal but rather straightens the edge of the blade. The honing steel is typically made of a hard metal, such as steel or ceramic, and has a smooth or lightly textured surface. By running the knife blade along the honing steel at the correct angle, the microscopically bent or folded edge is realigned, improving the knife's cutting performance and edge retention.
2. Sharpening Steel: A sharpening steel, also known as a sharpening rod or a sharpening stick, is a tool used to actually remove metal from the blade to sharpen it. Unlike a honing steel, a sharpening steel is abrasive and more aggressive in its action. It is typically coated with a diamond or ceramic abrasive material. The sharpening steel is used to restore the sharpness of a knife's edge by grinding away a small amount of metal, creating a new edge.

In summary, a honing steel is used for realigning and maintaining the edge of a knife, while a sharpening steel is used for actually sharpening the blade by removing metal. The honing steel helps to keep the edge straight and sharp between sharpenings, while the sharpening steel is used for more intensive sharpening when the blade has become dull and needs significant metal removal. Both tools play a role in knife maintenance, with the honing steel used more frequently for regular maintenance, and the sharpening steel used periodically for more extensive sharpening.