Men of steel could put an edge on them (6)

I believe the answer is:

knives

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'men' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for knives that I've seen before include "Weapons" , "Blades" , "Cutters" , "Cutting implements" , "Cutting tools" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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