The F Dick "Dick 2000" 11 in. Flat Super Fine Cut Steel has an advantage over a round steel; it straightens and smooths the cutting edge faster and more gently by offering a line contact rather than a point contact to the knife edge. The alternating steeling strokes obviously bend the cutting edge less back and forth on a flat than on round steel. This is one of the most expensive steels made, and it's one of the most effective.