For sharpening the hoe of a McLeod, what blade angle is recommended?

• A. 45-degree angle on the outside or downward facing blade
• B. 30-degree angle
• C. 60-degree angle
• D. 90-degree angle

Answer: (A)

Edge geometry matters: the drill-down idea is to have a bevel on the outer, downward-facing edge that you use for cutting. A mid-range bevel on that outer/downward edge gives a bite into brush and soil while staying strong enough to resist chipping when you encounter dirt, roots, or small rocks. This balance makes the hoe portion of the McLeod cut efficiently with reasonable effort and keeps the edge from dulling too quickly.

If the edge is too sharp (very acute), it will dull or chip easily in hard ground. If it’s too blunt (very obtuse), it won’t cut well and will require more effort. A square, nearly 90-degree edge would be weak and not cut cleanly. So sharpening the outer or downward-facing blade to a moderate bevel provides the best combination of cutting performance and durability.