We should know what this is, but ..... ?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone:
Jane found this on the beach in Thailand. It is solid, and ferrous (steel?) except for the brass grip on the end. It is also magnetized, but perhaps not intentionally. When you scrape off the black flecks, they cling to the tip.
It has striations that run the length of the shaft, and make a slight twist at the tip. At first we thought it was a kind of round file. But when I checked it with a powerful rare earth magnet, it struck it so hard that a spark flew out.
So now my guess is, it

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

It's a device no kitchen should be without.It is called a "steel". It is used to maintain an edge on a blade in between sharpening. With normal use a blade will curl at the edge a quick run on the "steel" removes the curl & restores the edge.
Troy

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Maybe some proud butcher wore this as a pendent to proclaim his profession?? <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b">

 

[Anonymous]

I can see that we're gonna have to keep an eye on you <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

... after a few hours researching the internet, I was able to find several small steel sharpeners. They are magnetized to pick up the filings. They can also be used for sharpening fish hooks, which makes sense for a beach find like this. Here's a typical small steel sharpener, made by R. F. Forschner, with a sharpener only 3 1/2" long. It even has a brass grip.
So, I am satisfied with this ID, and I thank you all for your help.
fod