How do I know if my knife is 15 or 20 degrees?

Author: scraper  |  Last update: Monday, July 27, 2026

To check whether your knife edge is 15 or 20 degrees, use the Sharpie test: color the blade's edge with a marker, run it through your sharpener at a set angle (or use an angle guide), and see if the marker is completely erased. If it is, that is your angle.

Which knives are 15 degrees?

Traditional Japanese Knives (15 degree facets)

The most popular example of this type blade is the sashimi knife also known as Yanagi and Takohiki. This lengthy, thin slicing blade is ideal for preparing very thin slices of raw tuna or salmon.

How do I find out what angle my knife is?

To find the exact angle of your knife blade, the most reliable method is the Sharpie test. It takes out all the guesswork and visually confirms both your existing factory angle and your sharpening angle.

What knives are sharpened at 20 degrees?

A 20-degree angle (per side) is the standard factory edge for most traditional Western, European, and American knives. This includes the majority of outdoor, pocket, and everyday carry (EDC) knives, as well as general-purpose kitchen cutlery.

Are Henckels knives 15 or 20 degrees?

The blade- edge angle for all Zwilling J.A. Henckels cutlery, with the exception of santoku knives, is 15 degrees on each side (30 degrees total).

15° vs 20° Knife Sharpening Angles! Which Angle is Right for Your Knife

How to tell if a knife is 15 or 20?

To check whether your knife edge is 15 or 20 degrees, use the Sharpie test: color the blade's edge with a marker, run it through your sharpener at a set angle (or use an angle guide), and see if the marker is completely erased. If it is, that is your angle.

Is Henckels 18-10?

HENCKELS offers flatware lines that reflect the excellent engineering and design for which our cutlery is known. All flatware features the beauty and functionality of superior 18/10 stainless steel, which provides optimal corrosion resistance. Each spoon, knife, and fork offer everyday durability.

Are Japanese knives sharpened at 15 or 20 degrees?

Here's the short answer: Sharpen Japanese knives at 15º each side, Western knives at 20º each side and meat cleavers at 25º each side. But there's a bit more to it than that... The angle you hold the knife at to the whetstone is called the 'edge angle'.

How to find a 20 degree angle?

To measure a 20-degree angle, you can use a traditional protractor for precision or alternative geometric methods if a protractor isn't available.

Can I use WD-40 to sharpen knives?

In the sharpening phase, we do not recommend any current WD-40® Brand Products although some may be used later for storage & protection. For sharpening stones the lubrication can come from water or oil.

Should I sharpen my knife at 20 or 25 degrees?

Sharpen your knife at 20 degrees if you prioritize slicing ability and everyday tasks. Choose 25 degrees if you need a durable, robust edge built to handle heavy-duty abuse.

How many strokes does it take to sharpen a knife?

There is no set number of strokes to sharpen a knife. It depends entirely on how dull the blade is and the grit of your stone.

Is a Santoku knife 15 or 20 degrees?

10 to 15 degree sharpening angle for Japanese knives

Santoku knife – an all-purpose knife used for cutting, dicing and chopping meat, fish and vegetables; the narrow grinding angle of 10 to 15 degrees per side gives the Santoku knife an extremely sharp blade that glides precisely and effortlessly through various foods.

Is Victorinox 15 or 20 degrees?

Victorinox recommends sharpening your Swiss Army Knife at 15-20 degrees per side. If you're going to be using your pocket knife for delicate slicing tasks, like cutting fruit or slicing open envelopes, then pick an angle closer to 15 degrees.

What degree is my knife?

To find the exact angle of your knife blade, the most reliable method is the Sharpie test. It takes out all the guesswork and visually confirms both your existing factory angle and your sharpening angle.

What knives have a 20 degree angle?

A 20-degree angle (per side) is the standard factory edge for most traditional Western, European, and American knives. This includes the majority of outdoor, pocket, and everyday carry (EDC) knives, as well as general-purpose kitchen cutlery.

Which angle is 20 degrees?

A 20-degree angle is an acute angle (any angle less than 90°). It translates to a slope or grade of approximately 36% (a 1 in 2.75 rise-to-run ratio). It is most commonly used as the standard edge bevel for heavy-duty, outdoor, or Western-style pocket and kitchen knives to prevent the blade from chipping.

How to find a 20 degree angle for knife sharpening?

Finding a 20-degree angle for knife sharpening can be done by using a standard marker to verify your work, using a stack of 4 nickels as a physical height guide, or using the "technique of halves" to find 20° freehand.

What angle do butchers sharpen their knives?

The ideal sharpening angle for a butcher knife is 15∘15 raised to the composed with power𝟏𝟓∘ to 20∘20 raised to the composed with power𝟐𝟎∘ per side (creating an overall edge angle of 30∘30 raised to the composed with power30∘ to 40∘40 raised to the composed with power40∘). This range provides a balance of razor-sharp slicing performance and edge durability.

What dulls a knife the fastest?

Cutting boards made of glass, granite, ceramic, or your dinner plate may look stylish or convenient, but they are the fastest way to destroy a knife's edge. These surfaces are harder than your knife's steel. So every time your blade contacts them, it suffers microscopic edge deformation, chipping, or even rolling.

Which is better, stainless 18-10 or 18 0?

18/10 provides a brilliant lustre and a rust-resistant durable product which is easy to maintain. Whereas 18/0 offers an economical design with a short soft shine and zero nickel content; however, a zero nickel content means it can be prone to staining.

What is the enemy of stainless steel?

Stainless steel and chlorine do not belong together. Quite the contrary. We can safely say that chlorine and chlorine products are among the greatest enemies of stainless steel - certainly of the most commonly used quality, SS 304.

Will a magnet stick to 18-10 stainless steel?

No, pure 18/10 stainless steel is non-magnetic. This alloy (which contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel) belongs to the austenitic family of steel, which has a crystal structure that lacks magnetic properties.

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