There are many techniques to hone a knife. One method that we found useful is to place the tip of a honing steel on a towel to prevent slipping. Then, place your knife at a very slight angle to the honing steel. In a downward motion with light pressure, swipe down, running the whole blade along the steel. Make sure not to forget the tip.

Sharpen It Draw the blade across the stone, sweeping it from heel to tip as you go. Once you have a full-length burr, sharpen to create a burr on the other side. Finish with blade-first strokes, like slicing a sliver from the stone, until the burr disappears.