[Al Thompson]

Just wondered if anyone has also tried a tungsten welding rod (TIG) as a steel. One of the welders at the site where I work gave me a six inch piece of tungsten welding rod to use as a steel for knives. So far it works very well.

[Al Thompson]

Just spent a few hours playing with the tungsten rod at work (slow night). It makes (apparently) a fine sharpening steel. Without much effort, I got my Swiss Army knife very sharp. Don't know the price, but this may be an inexpensive alternate to a steel. :)

[Navy joe]

Tungsten being the electrode, not the rod, but to answer, yes it works and yes I've tried it. I usually have a spare tungsten tucked in my ID badge holder and use it to fine tune an edge when really bored. Breaks a small wire edge quite nicely.