The Victorinox 40083 wood handle sharpening steel is a regular cut, 10" round rod to smooth minor to medium imperfections in your blade. The reference to "flat, oval, or round" has to do with the cross sections of the rod. The Forschner / Victorinox 40083 sharpening steel, also referred to as a honing steel is really used to displace imperfections which in turn makes your knife cut through product better. To achieve the best results steeling should be performed immediately before or after using your knife each day.