Picking the Perfect Sharpening Angle | Our Experts Discuss 

I typically use a 17° for pocket knives and 20-22° for fixed blades. Of course overall blade thickness and intended use has to be taken into account.

As per the science, the best angle is 12-13 for most steels (cheap kitchen knife and supersteel alike) 15 for more brittle large carbide steels like D2. Thats the best performing angle; lower or higher and it dulls faster. If you manage to chip or roll the edge with your use case, increase the angle by a degree or two. It doesn't take much to stabilize an edge. The performance difference between 25 degrees per side and 13 is on the magnitude of 3x better edge retention performance. I run my 14c27n scandi at 11.5 dps with no microbevel, it carves with ease. My other knives are probably between 14-17.

I have an old solingen carving knife that had still its factory edge. Measured it at 8° with much wear at the tip and edge collapse on one spot.

1:00 But Dr. Larrin Thomas says his research shows that lower angle has much higher edge retention in practice.

Agree, it depends on usage and twenty degrees being a general for pocket knives, but imaging it also depends on the starting grind, finish, blade shape, and stock thickness you're starting with and trying to make it something it'll never be. For instance, putting twelve degrees on something whose TBE is .025 and expecting super sliciness. I'm not a sharpener or expert, but just looking at it from a novice common sense perspective. Thanks for these videos, interesting topic.

Great information!

My Farmers Market sharpening setup is nearly rusted at 22*. Few high-quality kitchen knives come in there. I have found the EDC guy is the most discerning customer. I set pocketknives at 17* for the "super steels" and 20* with a few licks on the strop for the older solid vintage carbon pocketknives.

The video starts with the basic question...what angle should I sharpen me knife at. The first answer given is 20 degrees. My question is, is that the bevel angle or the edge angle, which is twice the bevel angle on symetrical blades?

think you should also talk about how fine of a stone should be used, sometimes a rougher stone can better the using a super fine stone

About 17° for my 1.75" ×8" santoku with cheapo steel :)

What angle u recommend on hide skinning knives? Ive always done between 20 n 25 degrees . Normally not hitting bone

what angle is the best for fillet knifes forged knifes or stamped. iclean a lot of fish, i am consereding of buying a tormack knife sharpening systen with the diamond wheel,

The guy in black shirt is also an expert of saying " you know "

What angle is the best for a boning knife?

Good starting point is use the factory angle

Why do certain knives have to be at different angles? Japanese15degree and pocket hunting at 20degree?

LOL… talk about edging your bets… of course it Edge-Apex Strength depends on Steel Matrix/Carbides, & Edge Stability… but we are talking Quality blades, not just Cutting Geometry, but the Steel ability to Sustain it❗️22.5/Side would be for a LARGE Tough-Matrix, low Carbide Steel not too hard CHOPPER (1/4 of a 90 Degree). However, for a careful SLICER, 1/2 of that angle would be sweet (eg: AEB-L, 01 & Chisel steels). For a good Bushcraft duty/ Wood Whittling, Compressive strength rather than Impact strength (brute force) you need that Hardness & Plastic Deformation resistance: 14-16 Degrees Scandi works very well on A2, M2 steels @ 60+ HRC, & still cut wonderfully while retaining that Edge Apex. For a Trail knife, a High Sabre @ 18 Degrees/Side (eg D2, 440C, CM154) will have the necessary Task Robustness to support a keen enough edge… I like the 16 Degrees/Side for most of my outdoor knives, but A2 can hold a 15/Side Scandi, & both O1 & M2 will hold a more acute angle (You can precisely Baton with it if not quite Chop” … so limit the knife length‼️)

How much a sabre sword angle be?

The best instant angle setter is: 22.5 degrees anywhere anytime...TAKE A SINGLE PIECE OF RECTANGLE PAPER, FOLD IT FAR CORNER TO FAR CORNER MAKE S 45 DEGREES, FOLD A SECOND TIME ... WHALA! 22.5 DEGREES ANY WHERE ANY TIME