How long does a good quality sharpening steel last before I need to replace it?

I still have my original one when I did my chef's apprenticeship in Toronto Canada back in the 1970's, like the other fellow, you need other implements to keep your knives at there sharpest, a steel only removes the burrs and resets the edge not sharpen.

Greyguy, it goes on how much you use it, I have had mine five years now and doing well. I also use a wet stone on my good knives.