So the fine edge of the blade can warp as you use it. The honing rod helps straighten that back out to improve cutting. The whetstone actually removes bits of steel in order to create a new edge. Honing should be done regularly, but using a whetstone to sharpen the blade is periodic.
A honing rod and whetstone fulfill different functions. You should ideally be using both for knife maintenance.
dang, what does the rod do? It was sold under the name of “knife sharpener”
So the fine edge of the blade can warp as you use it. The honing rod helps straighten that back out to improve cutting. The whetstone actually removes bits of steel in order to create a new edge. Honing should be done regularly, but using a whetstone to sharpen the blade is periodic.