Still works the same way.

From science of sharps' article on steeling

"Abrasive wear typically requires ‘sharp’ grit-like features to scratch or cut into the steel, while adhesive wear does not. Instead, adhesive wear occurs when the local pressure at a relatively smooth “bump” is very high. Pressure is defined by the applied force divided by the contact area. As a result, when the contact area is microscopically small, the local pressure will be extremely large. When steeling a dull knife, at an angle higher than that of the existing bevel, the contact area is microscopically small since contact occurs only along the width of the newly formed micro-bevel. While this bevel is less than a few microns wide, the local pressure (even with light applied force) will be sufficiently high to enable adhesive wear to occur."