How much should I spend on a honing rod?

[HorseGuy]

Victorinox Classic honing steel - £19
Opinel honing steel - £35
Fallkniven C10 ceramic sharpener - £41

I'm looking to buy a honing rod from a reputable company to keep my kitchen knives and a billhook sharp. Would it be worth spending a bit of extra cash on the Fallkniven or Opinel honing rod or would a cheaper Victorinox honing steel for half the price work just as well?

 

[FIU]

Victorinox Classic honing steel - £19
Opinel honing steel - £35
Fallkniven C10 ceramic sharpener - £41

I'm looking to buy a honing rod from a reputable company to keep my kitchen knives and a billhook sharp. Would it be worth spending a bit of extra cash on the Fallkniven or Opinel honing rod or would a cheaper Victorinox honing steel for half the price work just as well?

If you can find used steel made by F.Dick, I attest that they are excellent. In particular, the flattened or ovoid shaped steels used by professionals is the one that you want over the rod shaped one. F.Dick does still make honing steels but they are dear in price. The standard steel in the cooking schools is the F.Dick flat one (not ovoid) with black plastic handle. I have one but much prefer the F.Dick steel from the 1940s-1990s. F.Dick has a good English language article on their site on hone choices and use that is worth reading.