You must have heard about sharpening angles if you are learning knife sharpening skills. Selecting the right sharpening angle is an important step in knife sharpening because it determines the blade’s sharpness and durability. So, what is the best angle to sharpen a knife?
The best angle to sharpen a knife depends on how you intend to use the knife, the thickness of the blade, the steel used to make the blade, the sharpening tools used, and your preference. Knives have no standard sharpening angle, but most kitchen knives are sharpened at a 15-20 degrees angle.
This article will discuss factors that determine the best sharpening angle, different sharpening angles, and the importance of choosing the right angle. Let’s get into it!
Factors That Determine the Right Sharpening Angle
Determining the best sharpening angle is easy as long as you know other knife sharpening basics. Here are factors that determine the best sharpening angle for your knives.
Use of the Knife
Smaller sharpening angles produces very sharp blades ideal for precise cutting and chopping. On the other hand, wider angles create durable blade edges suitable for demanding cutting jobs like slicing bones or cutting coarse vegetables.
Steel Hardness
The Rockwell hardness of the steel used to make your knife blade determines its durability. Different types of steel offer varied strength, and this impacts the sharpening edge.
Knife blades made from hard steel should be sharpened at smaller angles because they yield a lot of strength. Soft steel, on the other hand, should be sharped at steeper angles which helps them withstand the stress without deforming.
Blade Thickness
Knives with thin blades get a sharp edge faster when sharpened at lower angles. On the other hand, thick blades should be sharpened at wider angles because they have a lot of material on the edge, and it will take you more time and energy to get a sharp edge.
Knife User’s Preference
Are you looking for sharpness or durability? Your choice between the two determines the angle you will use. A lower sharpening angle will give a very sharp edge, while wider angles give you a durable blade.
- 4-Stage Precision Sharpening for All Blades: Longzon 4-Stage Knife Sharpener is designed to meet all your sharpening needs—effortlessly sharpens stainless steel, kitchen knives, scissors, and pocket knives. The 4-stage design (Scissors, coarse grinding, fine grinding and precision Grinding) quickly repairs, restores, and polishes dull blades, turning blunt knives into sharp, precise tools in seconds. Perfect for home kitchen use, it’s the ultimate solution for all your blade sharpening needs.
- Enhanced Safety with Cut-Resistant Glove & Non-Slip Base: Your safety is our top priority. Our manual knife sharpener features a non-slip base that keeps it firmly in place during use, ensuring stable and comfortable control. To add an extra layer of protection, we include a free cut-resistant glove with every purchase—so you can sharpen your knives safely without worrying about accidental cuts.
- Sleek, Space-Saving Design for Your Kitchen:Crafted from premium ABS and solid abrasive components, this tool is engineered for professional-grade durability. Its sleek, space-saving profile fits perfectly in any kitchen drawer or matches modern decor, ensuring high-end blade maintenance is always within easy reach.
- Ultra-Easy to Use, No Skills Required: No more complicated sharpening tools! Stop struggling with dull blades that squash delicate tomatoes or tear through meat. Our precision-engineered slots quickly restore blunt tools to peak performance. Spend less time on tedious food prep and more time enjoying effortless, restaurant-quality slicing at home.
- The Ultimate Culinary Gift Solution: An essential kitchen upgrade for both professional cooks and beginners. Packaged as a practical, high-quality tool, it’s an ideal gift for housewarmings, weddings, or Mother’s Day and Father's Day. Elevate your kitchen experience with Longzon’s reliability and precision craftsmanship.
- 3-Step Knife Sharpener: With our incredible 3-slot system, we’re revolutionizing the art of knife sharpening! The 1st diamond sharpening rod repairs and straightens damaged blades before the 2nd slot sharpens to restore its V-shape. Finally, the 3rd slot fine tunes for a clean polish.
- Easy to Use: Whether you’re right or left-handed, the ergonomic handle allows you to restore your cooking knives in a matter of seconds! Simply place the blade in each of the slots and gently pull the knife through a few times for fast, effective sharpening.
- Cut-Resistant Glove Included: At Kitchellence, we put the safety of our customers above all else. Designed with a non-slip base, our kitchen knife sharpener offers comfortable control while you work. We’re even including a cut-resistant glove for added safety!
- Premium Quality: With our professional knife sharpener kit, you don’t have to be a chef to cook like one! Crafted from solid ABS plastic, it’s strong, durable and designed to last a lifetime. Made with high quality materials, knives will look and work like new.
- EASY TO USE KNIFE SHARPENER: This is the perfect knife sharpener for chef’s knives, paring knives, serrated knives, filet knives, cleavers – you name it. If you own a knife, you need this sharpener.
- GET A SHARP EDGE IN 10 SECONDS: A sharp blade makes it easier to get work done quickly and safely. The innovative AccuSharp Knife Sharpener lets you sharpen most blades in around ten seconds.
- DIAMOND-HONED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE SHARPENER: AccuSharp sharpening blades are crafted from diamond-honed tungsten carbide, one of the hardest known materials. With it's unique design, the sharpening blades can be reversed doubling its life span.
- DEPENDABLE & LONG-LASTING CONSTRUCTION: Most users report an average of 5 to 10 years between blade replacements. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners are double-beveled and can be cleaned easily with soap and water or in your dishwasher.
- SAFE, UNIQUE, ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Featuring a unique, ergonomic handle, the AccuSharp fits neatly in either hand to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed users. Includes a full-length guard that protects your fingers throughout the sharpening process.
Sharpening Angles for Knives
Under 10 Degrees
Sharpening angles of less than 10 degrees result in delicate edges that are easily damaged. Such edges are suitable for blades used to cut soft material because there is less risk of abuse that might lead to breakage and other forms of damage.
Such low angles of 7 to 8 degrees are easily achieved using fine sharpening tools with at least 1000 grit, like water stones. This angle is very low for knives. It is suitable for straight razors used to cut soft materials like hair.
10-15 Degrees
Sharpening angles falling under this category produce very fine and delicate edges, but it is low for most knives. These angles should not be used to sharpen blades made from very hard steel because the blades are very brittle and highly susceptible to damage.
Knives sharpened at this angle should only be used for slicing meat or cutting very soft foods but never for chopping needs. They should only be sharpened using very fine abrasives like water stones.
15-17 Degrees
Most Japanese and new cutlery are sharpened at 15-17 degrees. It is the lowest angle recommended for most blades, and they produce good cutting power. The edges produced are less durable than wider sharpening angles, but the sharpness achieved pays off.
Therefore, use angles between 15 and 17 if only you are looking for sharpness. Different sharpeners for this angle include guided systems, sharpening stones, or powered sharpeners.
17-22 Degrees
Most kitchen and outdoor knives fall under the category of 17-22 sharpening degrees. Japanese knife manufacturers recommend 17 degrees for their knives, while western knife manufacturers use 20 degrees.
Knives sharpened in this category offer both durability and sharpness, and it can be achieved using guided systems, sharpening stones, or powered sharpeners.
22-30 Degrees
Sharpening angles between 22 and 30 degrees produce durable edges. This range is ideal for outdoor or kitchen knives used for tough applications. The edges do not give precise cuts, but they will withstand impact and pressure without breaking or chipping.
Most sharpeners can sharpen these angles, including guided systems, sharpening stones, and powered sharpeners.
Over 30 degrees
Knives sharpened past 30 degrees are durable but at the sacrifice of their cutting ability. Cutlers like axes, machetes, and cleavers are sharpened at this range, allowing them to withstand the cutting abuse they are subjected to.
Knife Sharpening Angle Chart
The chart below will help you determine the best sharpening angle for knives and tools
| Knife/Tool | Recommended Sharpening Angle |
|---|---|
| Cleaver Machete Axe |
Over 30 degrees Offers durability |
| Hunting Knives Pocket Knives Sport Knives |
22-30 degrees Offers more durable edges |
| Chef’s Knives Kitchen Knives Smaller Knives Boning Knives Carving Knives |
17-22 degrees Offers both sharpness and durability |
| Fillet Knives Paring Knives Sushi Knives Most Japanese Cutlery |
12-17 degrees Offers fine and delicate edges |
| Straight Razors Razor Blades X-Acto Knives |
7-12 degrees Very delicate edge |
What Is The Best Sharpening Angle For Beginners?
- 4-Stage Precision Sharpening for All Blades: Longzon 4-Stage Knife Sharpener is designed to meet all your sharpening needs—effortlessly sharpens stainless steel, kitchen knives, scissors, and pocket knives. The 4-stage design (Scissors, coarse grinding, fine grinding and precision Grinding) quickly repairs, restores, and polishes dull blades, turning blunt knives into sharp, precise tools in seconds. Perfect for home kitchen use, it’s the ultimate solution for all your blade sharpening needs.
- Enhanced Safety with Cut-Resistant Glove & Non-Slip Base: Your safety is our top priority. Our manual knife sharpener features a non-slip base that keeps it firmly in place during use, ensuring stable and comfortable control. To add an extra layer of protection, we include a free cut-resistant glove with every purchase—so you can sharpen your knives safely without worrying about accidental cuts.
- Sleek, Space-Saving Design for Your Kitchen:Crafted from premium ABS and solid abrasive components, this tool is engineered for professional-grade durability. Its sleek, space-saving profile fits perfectly in any kitchen drawer or matches modern decor, ensuring high-end blade maintenance is always within easy reach.
- Ultra-Easy to Use, No Skills Required: No more complicated sharpening tools! Stop struggling with dull blades that squash delicate tomatoes or tear through meat. Our precision-engineered slots quickly restore blunt tools to peak performance. Spend less time on tedious food prep and more time enjoying effortless, restaurant-quality slicing at home.
- The Ultimate Culinary Gift Solution: An essential kitchen upgrade for both professional cooks and beginners. Packaged as a practical, high-quality tool, it’s an ideal gift for housewarmings, weddings, or Mother’s Day and Father's Day. Elevate your kitchen experience with Longzon’s reliability and precision craftsmanship.
- 3-Step Knife Sharpener: With our incredible 3-slot system, we’re revolutionizing the art of knife sharpening! The 1st diamond sharpening rod repairs and straightens damaged blades before the 2nd slot sharpens to restore its V-shape. Finally, the 3rd slot fine tunes for a clean polish.
- Easy to Use: Whether you’re right or left-handed, the ergonomic handle allows you to restore your cooking knives in a matter of seconds! Simply place the blade in each of the slots and gently pull the knife through a few times for fast, effective sharpening.
- Cut-Resistant Glove Included: At Kitchellence, we put the safety of our customers above all else. Designed with a non-slip base, our kitchen knife sharpener offers comfortable control while you work. We’re even including a cut-resistant glove for added safety!
- Premium Quality: With our professional knife sharpener kit, you don’t have to be a chef to cook like one! Crafted from solid ABS plastic, it’s strong, durable and designed to last a lifetime. Made with high quality materials, knives will look and work like new.
- EASY TO USE KNIFE SHARPENER: This is the perfect knife sharpener for chef’s knives, paring knives, serrated knives, filet knives, cleavers – you name it. If you own a knife, you need this sharpener.
- GET A SHARP EDGE IN 10 SECONDS: A sharp blade makes it easier to get work done quickly and safely. The innovative AccuSharp Knife Sharpener lets you sharpen most blades in around ten seconds.
- DIAMOND-HONED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE SHARPENER: AccuSharp sharpening blades are crafted from diamond-honed tungsten carbide, one of the hardest known materials. With it's unique design, the sharpening blades can be reversed doubling its life span.
- DEPENDABLE & LONG-LASTING CONSTRUCTION: Most users report an average of 5 to 10 years between blade replacements. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners are double-beveled and can be cleaned easily with soap and water or in your dishwasher.
- SAFE, UNIQUE, ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Featuring a unique, ergonomic handle, the AccuSharp fits neatly in either hand to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed users. Includes a full-length guard that protects your fingers throughout the sharpening process.
How Do You Know if you’ve Got The Right Angle?
Importance of Choosing the Right Sharpening Angle
Choosing the right sharpening angle is important because it determines the sharpness and durability of the blade. These properties determine the purpose of the knife. As a rule of thumb, smaller angles offer fine and sharp edges suitable for soft cutting needs. On the other hand, wider sharpening angles offer durable edges that can withstand abuse from demanding applications.
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