5 Tips for Consistent Knife Sharpening Angles (And 3 Mistakes to Avoid)

Maintaining a razor-sharp edge on your knives is crucial and we fully understand the significance of a well-maintained blade. Accurate sharpening ensures optimal performance and longevity of your tools. This article is here to guide beginners on how to hold a consistent angle when sharpening knives using bench stones.
Understanding the Importance of a Consistent Angle
The key to effective knife sharpening lies in maintaining a consistent angle between the knife and the sharpening stone. This consistency ensures that you are sharpening evenly, resulting in a sharp and durable edge. Inconsistent angles can lead to improperly sharpened blades, making your cutting tasks more difficult and potentially damaging your knives.
If you're not sure about what angle to sharpen your knife at, read our Detailed Discussion on Knife Sharpening Angles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Holding a Consistent Sharpening Angle
-
Proper Grip

Place your thumb on the top side of the blade, near the edge (for smaller knives you may need to put your thumb on the side of the handle), and your index finger along the spine. This position prevents the knife from twisting. Wrap your remaining fingers around the handle for stability. Extending your forefinger also helps with the next step.
-
Lock Your Wrist

Once you have the proper grip, lock your wrist into place. This is crucial as it prevents any unwanted twisting or tilting, ensuring the angle you establish with your sharpening stone remains unchanged. You want to maintain a straight line from your elbow, through your forearm and hand, to the tip of the blade.
-
Use Full Body Movements

Holding your knife at the correct angle, lock your arms in position and move using your legs if standing or core muscles if seated. Eventually you can progress to using movement from your shoulder and elbow to guide the knife along the stone. Starting with larger, steadier motions helps maintain a consistent angle throughout the sharpening process.
-
Segment Your Sharpening

When dealing with the entire length of the blade, especially with curved or longer knives, it can be helpful to divide the blade into sections. Focus on one section at a time, adjusting your body positioning as necessary to maintain the angle. This method is particularly useful near the tip of the knife, where the curve intensifies.
-
Handle the Tip with Care

As the blade curves near the tip, maintain the same sharpening angle by slightly lifting the handle. This adjustment keeps the tip in contact with the stone without altering the angle.
Bonus Tip: Use the Marker Method
Color in the bevel with a marker. This will make it easier to see where you are removing material during sharpening and if you're maintaining the correct angle. If you're just removing marker at the very edge, you need to lower the angle. If you're removing marker just along the top of the bevel, you need to raise the angle. If the marker removal varies along the length of the bevel, you need to go back to Step 1 to make sure you're holding a consistent angle.
For a deeper dive into the Marker Method, check out our article How Do I Sharpen to Match An Existing Angle.
Common Sharpening Mistakes to Avoid
- Moving the Wrist: This can change the angle of the blade against the stone, leading to uneven sharpening.
- Rushing the Process: Take your time, especially when you're just learning. Quick movements can lead to mistakes and accidents.
- Starting with a Fine Grit: Coarse grits will restore your edge a lot quicker, with fewer passes. This means you don't have to hold a consistent angle for as long. Start coarse, then progress to finer grits.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like any skill, perfecting your knife sharpening technique takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first few attempts aren't perfect. Continue practicing with the techniques outlined above, and remember that maintaining a consistent angle is more crucial than the exact angle itself.
Featured Products
Naniwa S1 Advance Super Stone
NaniwaNaniwa S1 Advance Super Stone The Naniwa Advanced Super Stone gained fame as a hard-wearing, splash-and-go stone that created an unbeatable polis...
View full detailsNaniwa Chocera Pro Stone
NaniwaThe New Naniwa Chocera Pro Stone is the highest-grade stone from Naniwa. There are regular sharpening stones and then there are sharpening stones...
View full detailsSharpening Supplies 8" XL Water Stones
Sharpening SuppliesWater Stones - Made in America Our drive to provide the newest and best sharpening materials available is relentless. We are committed to researc...
View full detailsSharpening Supplies 6" Water Stones
Sharpening SuppliesWater Stones - Made in America New 6" Size is a great value. Our drive to provide the newest and best sharpening materials available is relentle...
View full detailsSharpening Supplies 8" Water Stones
Sharpening SuppliesWater Stones - Made in America New 8" size is a popular size for a reason, it is long enough for most knives and economical. Our drive to provid...
View full details