Recent posts

#1

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Dutchman - Today at 11:29:01 AM

Wow, that's a tad judgmental. There are very good apps out there, and the KS-123 has significant hysteresis. Surely there is room for people who already own vernier calipers and are fine with using apps/spreadsheets ? Why the condescension ?

That is not condescension, but admiration for all the work that went into it. However, I thought I had developed a simple method, but it grew into a competition for the most sophisticated spreadsheet. An exception was the app by cbwx34, simple and accurate.

#2

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Rossy66 - Yesterday at 04:26:47 PM

Thanks everyone, I think I will start using 15° as my base going forward. The KS 123 does make it easy to set this angle and since I attend a farmers market every Saturday, I can get quite busy and looking up specific manufacturers recommended angle takes time, this will help.

#3

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 11:00:17 AM

[...] the KS-123, which has halted the growth of computer programs and all communication about it.

What a relief, more focus on the real work.

Wow, that's a tad judgmental. There are very good apps out there, and the KS-123 has significant hysteresis. Surely there is room for people who already own vernier calipers and are fine with using apps/spreadsheets ? Why the condescension ?

#4

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Dutchman - Yesterday at 10:44:14 AM

...
As an update, with the advent of the KS-123, I no longer use the kenjig. In my opinion, the kenjig was a sound idea. I feel the same way about the various apps. I just believe that the KS-123 is an improvement, whether we choose to vary angles or stick with our "go to" standards.
...

I completely agree with you, Ken. The "simple method" with the Cosine Formula has now been replaced by the KS-123, which has halted the growth of computer programs and all communication about it.

What a relief, more focus on the real work.

#5

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by tgbto - Yesterday at 10:37:09 AM

While I have occasionally experimented with 12°, based on Wootz' recommendation, 15° has remained my go to setting.

Same here. 12 dps is for a very specific subset of knives : suisin inox honyaki series knives whose steel is quite robust, or some of my high hardness knives. The problem with 12dps in my opinion is that although edge retention is usually better, the apex is prone to chipping. So it's only for knives that are going to be handled carefully.

As chipping is much less of an issue at 15dps, I feel this is the good compromise with good edge retention.

As a side note, when one is not concerned with initial efficiency, I find that a 10dps primary bevel with a 15dps secondary bevel works wonders as it allows for very quick touchups afterwards.

#6

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Ken S - Yesterday at 03:21:30 AM

When I was developing the kenjig, I wanted to standardize on a single bevel angle. The kenjig was designed primarily for sharpening everyday kitchen knives. I asked Stig to suggest an angle. He suggested 15° (degrees per side). While I have occasionally experimented with 12°, based on Wootz' recommendation, 15° has remained my go to setting.

As an update, with the advent of the KS-123, I no longer use the kenjig. In my opinion, the kenjig was a sound idea. I feel the same way about the various apps. I just believe that the KS-123 is an improvement, whether we choose to vary angles or stick with our "go to" standards.

Ken

#7

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Rossy66 - Yesterday at 02:24:53 AM

For my customers I do 15dps. No one knows the difference between 15 and 20 and the edge lasts longer for them.

Thanks

#8

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by John_B - June 01, 2026, 10:33:25 PM

For my customers I do 15dps. No one knows the difference between 15 and 20 and the edge lasts longer for them.

#9

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Rossy66 - June 01, 2026, 06:54:35 PM

I used to sharpen @20dps a long time ago. Then I came across Wootz's litterature and decided to give 15dps a try.

It has been my standard since. I made comparisons using the same knife model sharpened at 20 dps and 15dps, the 20 dps got dull significantly faster. I have not noticed 15dps being too fragile for standard to fairly high quality knives.

That's interesting, I am currently doing some tests between 18�° 16° to see how long the knife edge lasts. My main concern is that the knife stays sharp for a decent period of time (a couple of months with daily use) value for money is my goal as I want the customers to keep coming back and feel they got their moneys worth.

#10

Knife Sharpening / Re: Choosing a default angle

Last post by Rossy66 - June 01, 2026, 06:49:22 PM

I used to sharpen @20dps a long time ago. Then I came across Wootz's litterature and decided to give 15dps a try.

It has been my standard since. I made comparisons using the same knife model sharpened at 20 dps and 15dps, the 20 dps got dull significantly faster. I have not noticed 15dps being too fragile for standard to fairly high quality knives.

So do you feel your customers knives keep their sharpness long enough to their satisfaction?