Best angle for carving with 1095 steel

[boris01]

I have a new Boker Congress Carver with 1095 steel blades. My new hobby is carving. I carve simple stuff like boats and sharks. It looks like the blades are at a 20 degree angle from Boker. It is dull and can not cut paper. I use a sharpmaker to sharpen. What would be the best angle for carving with 1095 steel, 20 degrees or 15 degrees?

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Way too much fuss is made over what angle to sharpen at. So much varies from one person to the next, i.e. blade steel, heat treat, usage, etc. 1095 is a very good steel if heat-treated properly. It can take a pretty acute angle and do well.

20deg is fine for any use. BUT YOU, may personally prefer a more acute angle. Only way to know is to try something different and find out. Remember, the "old Timers" didn't have fancy sharpeners. All they had was a reasonably flat rock. What exact angle didn't enter into it. So relax, try the 20deg. If you think you need a more acute angle, resharpen to a more acute angle.

dalee

 

[STR]

I like the 15` angle personally. Seems to me to be a much better slicing angle.

STR

 

[Jeff Clark]

I wouldn't go higher than 15 degrees per side.