You can get as low as 14 without flipping the pivot, but this does depend on the size of the knife. The limit with most small folders is 15. At smaller angles, the limit becomes the stone rubbing on the jaws.
Note that the famous Spyderco Sharpmaker offers you two angles. You get 30 (15 per side) and 40 (20 per side). The basic idea with the sharpmaker is that the main bevel is 15 per side, and a "microbevel" right at the edge is 20 per side. Using a microbevel gives you a more durable edge. In my mind, the jury is still out about using a microbevel in conjuction with the KME -- we will see if the topic comes up in the multitude of videos I intend to watch.
Someone asked about sharpening angle on the Spyderco forums. One reply by BBB (aka "Deadboxhero") says that he likes 12-15 dps and:
If I need the edge to maximize durability then +25 dps at a huge cost to cutting ability and sharpness.The community sharpening journal is a huge forum thread (118 pages as of 2025) that ought to be a gold mine of information, controversty, and enlightenment. The first post was in August, 2019.
Now that I have the KME, I have been measuring factory bevels on various knives:
Spyderco Shaman (Cruwear) - 17 dps Spyderco Temperance (VG10) = 25 dps !! Spyderco Street Bowie (VG10) = 23+ dps !! Spyderco Junction (PSF27)The Temperance is a good sized fixed blade and has always been a major disappointment in the way the factory sharpening was done. No doubt the 25 degree angle was chosen for durability, with no consideration given to its performance as a cutting tool. I am eager to reprofile it.
Figuring the angles on the Street Bowie is tricky. 23 does not get to the edge, so the original cut may well have been 25/25. I tried to freehand sharpen it, and produced a somewhat rounded bevel, and 23 hits it midway, but towards the edge. This knife, like the Temperance, needs to be reprofiled. I have always been disappointed with the sharpness, but really like the design. Reprofiled to 20, or perhaps 17 per side, this could be a terrific knife. And it still sells for a very affordable $130! For the same price consider the Moran drop point, but we are way off topic now.
Spyderco Mule PMA11 Taiwan -- 24/16 dps Spyderco Mule PMD1 Taiwan -- 23/17 dpsThat is a surprise. All of these are significantly assymetric, but total to 40.
Spyderco Mule K294 Japan -- 17/15 dps Spyderco Mule VG XEOS Japan -- 16/16 dpsHere the measurements are hindered by the fact that the KME is designed to be adjusted to no less than 17. But the difference between these and the grinds from Taiwan is clear. It is unfortunate that the KME can't be adjusted to say 14. At an angle around 15, the jaws interfere with the hones.
Spyderco Mule AEB-L Italy -- less than 17/17 both sides, probably 15/15Very impressive that the folks in Italy did a nice 15/15, especially on this "razor blade" steel.
Spyderco Mule M398 Golden, Colorado -- 17/18 Spyderco Mule Spy27 Golden, Colorado -- 17.5/17.5 Spyderco Mule Magnacut Golden, Colorado -- 20/20The crew and equipment at Golden do the most consistent job. For whatever reason, they chose the 40 degree total for Magnacut. I have read that 17/17 is their usual target for folding knives.
Tom's Knife Info / [email protected]