How to Sharpen Small Knives on Your Wicked Edge

Sharpening small knives on a Wicked Edge precision knife sharpener is absolutely doable—and with a few helpful tricks, it’s easier than you might think. Whether you're using a Standard, Cam-Lock, or DualCam© Vise, the core principle remains the same: clamp the blade as high in the vise as you can to maximize access to the edge.

Check out our quick video guide to get started: Watch the video

Guided Angle Sharpening for Small Blades

All Wicked Edge systems are designed with a consistent calibration in mind: the edge of the knife should ideally sit 5/8" above the top of the vise. This ensures that your angle settings are as accurate as possible. However, most small knives won’t reach that height when clamped, which leads to slightly higher actual angles than those shown on the angle bar.

If you want to know your exact sharpening angle, we recommend using a digital angle cube to measure directly from your stone.

Tips for Sharpening Small Knives

• Clamp high in the vise: For small knives, the best strategy is to ignore the standard depth key settings and clamp the blade as high as possible without compromising stability. This gives you better access to the full edge.
• Accept limited angle range: Due to the small blade profile and limited clearance from the vise, it may not be possible to sharpen at very low angles. This is a physical limitation of the setup, not a shortcoming of the sharpener.
• Use a Low Angle Adapter: In some cases, the Low Angle Adapter can help by raising the blade higher, allowing you to achieve lower angles. Keep in mind that the size of the knife may still limit how low you can go.

Best Practices for Consistent Results

Sharpening small knives requires a bit more care, but the Wicked Edge system is more than capable. Here are some final reminders:

• Always clamp securely to avoid any movement during sharpening.
• Start your grit progression with lighter pressure to reduce over-grinding small edges.
• Take your time—shorter blades can be more sensitive to uneven pressure or angle inconsistency.

Want to dive deeper into angle setting and alignment techniques? Check out our article on how to find your angle and sweet spot.

Learn more about Wicked Edge sharpeners and accessories here.