How much to charge to sharpen knives?

[StrawHat]

...Thank you for that information Kevin. I’ve often thought of setting up a sharpening booth myself....

I just reread the thread and saw this.

What kind of venue are you considering? Farmers’ Markets are usually good venues. Same goes for butcher shops. I have found places that sell food attract a better crowd of customers than non food venues although I have one hardware/tool store that is a big venue for me.

Kevin

[Colonel26]

...Thank you for that information Kevin. I’ve often thought of setting up a sharpening booth myself....

I just reread the thread and saw this.

What kind of venue are you considering? Farmers’ Markets are usually good venues. Same goes for butcher shops. I have found places that sell food attract a better crowd of customers than non food venues although I have one hardware/tool store that is a big venue for me.

Kevin

That sharpening set up is ingenious! I love it. And I’ll throw my hat in with the rest, fantastic machine and a great wife you have there.

As to the venue I was thinking farmer’s markets. We have a couple of large ones close by me. Also a big gun and knife show.

[StrawHat]

...Thank you for that information Kevin. I’ve often thought of setting up a sharpening booth myself....

I just reread the thread and saw this.

What kind of venue are you considering? Farmers’ Markets are usually good venues. Same goes for butcher shops. I have found places that sell food attract a better crowd of customers than non food venues although I have one hardware/tool store that is a big venue for me.

Kevin

That sharpening set up is ingenious! I love it. And I’ll throw my hat in with the rest, fantastic machine and a great wife you have there.

As to the venue I was thinking farmer’s markets. We have a couple of large ones close by me. Also a big gun and knife show.

A friend of mine sharpens at the ara Gun Shows so I stay out of them. He mostly gets pocket knives, a few belt knives. His big money maker at the gun shows is buying and selling pocket knives. He only deals with well made, usually older, knives. It might be something to consider. I am not sure if there are any fees involved but assume there are. There may also be other sharpeners.

Farmers’ Markets are where I got my professional start. First year I worked three. Second year, six Markets and the third year, 12.

I worked exactly 1 Flea Market and now avoid them. People expect to haggle prices. I don’t haggle. My prices are fair and set. Another acquaintance works a couple of fleas and seems to do okay but he also sells wooden spoons, rings and other crafts he makes.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I don’t necessarily have all the answers but I certainly have made all the mistakes and lived through them.

Kevin

[fergusontd]

I've been to alot of gun and knife shows where were guys with a table set up to sharpen knives. I've watched a few of these guys sharpen knives and thought I wouldn't want them to touch mine. I saw 1 guy take the temper out of a blade then he asked me if I wanted mine sharpened. I responded not in my lifetime! Most charged about $5. I hope you do well in your business and do a great job! Good luck. ftd

[StrawHat]

I've been to alot of gun and knife shows where were guys with a table set up to sharpen knives. I've watched a few of these guys sharpen knives and thought I wouldn't want them to touch mine. I saw 1 guy take the temper out of a blade then he asked me if I wanted mine sharpened. I responded not in my lifetime! Most charged about $5. I hope you do well in your business and do a great job! Good luck. ftd

Do you remember what he was using to sharpen?

Kevin

[Mumbleypeg]

There’s a guy who sets up his knife sharpening at the monthly trade days (Third Monday). From what I’ve observed he seems to do okay. He is a gregarious sort though and if not busy sharpening at the time (or sometimes even while busy) he will,engage passers-by with banter. Once when I was walking buy with my wife he said to me “a man wearing a John Deere cap surely has a Case knife in his pocket!” I said I did so he asked if he could see it. Then he asked if I wanted it sharpened. I passed but stayed a minute to talk and looked at his set up. He has two different belt sanders/sharpeners and a buffing wheel on about a three ft wide by six or eight ft long portable workbench. Also has a panel van with signage on the side, advertising his sharpening business.

IIRC he charges $3 for a single blade knife, $4 for two blades and $5 for three blades. I watched him sharpen a guy’s three-blade stockman - took him less than about 5 minutes total. As each blade was sharpened he held up a piece of paper and sliced it with the blade to show it was sharp. Quick and no wasted motion. When finished he asked the guy if he wanted the knife buffed too.

Ken

[fergusontd]

Strawhat, he was using a paper wheel on a bench grinder. Said it was the best and easiest way. Looked a little dubious to me. ftd

[OLDE CUTLER]

I've been to alot of gun and knife shows where were guys with a table set up to sharpen knives. I've watched a few of these guys sharpen knives and thought I wouldn't want them to touch mine. I saw 1 guy take the temper out of a blade then he asked me if I wanted mine sharpened. I responded not in my lifetime! Most charged about $5. I hope you do well in your business and do a great job! Good luck. ftd

I have seen the same thing at local gunshows. No way they are touching mine also. The reason they have a lot of work and can make money is that the average Joe has no clue how to sharpen anything. This was proven to me when I worked for a Stihl dealer where chainsaw sharpening was done and people would bring in chains that they had "attempted " to sharpen themselves. One look at their efforts and I would have to tell them to toss it and buy a new chain.

[StrawHat]

Paper wheels, in my opinion, operate way to fast 3500 (+/-) RPM is not sharpening speed. Also, in my opinion, since the common grinder has the top of the wheel coming towards the operator, they spin in the wrong direction for my peace of mind. The prep and maintenance is also a lot more than I am willing to deal with. Having said that, they seem to be popular with the Gun Show Sharpeners.

I have a couple of slow speed (1725 RPM) systems and find them to be better but still too fast. At that speed, they can still remove to much stock and heat the metal more than I like to see.

Kevin

[orvet]

I have used a variety of systems since the early 1980s starting in a cutlery store with a system from the Gerber factory, a 150 grit stone at 1700 RPM and sharpening into the oncoming wheel. It was a scarry way to learn sharpening but you learned to move quickly!

Mostly I use a 1X 42 belt sander with a 150 or 220 grit ceramic belt. I move the blade quickly so heating is not a problem. I finish the knife on a Powr-Strop leather wheel to deburr the blade.
Since I collect different sharpening systems I play with all different methods. I have a Tormix type sharpener, a slow wet stone wheel. Great for sharpening blades for hand planes and chisels.

Over 95% of all my sharpening is on the 1X42 including my EDCs.

[Quick Steel]

As a little boy I used to play with the peddle of our sewing machine, the same as yours. Clearly, your wife is brilliant.

[StrawHat]

I have used a variety of systems since the early 1980s starting in a cutlery store with a system from the Gerber factory, a 150 grit stone at 1700 RPM and sharpening into the oncoming wheel. It was a scarry way to learn sharpening but you learned to move quickly!

Mostly I use a 1X 42 belt sander with a 150 or 220 grit ceramic belt. I move the blade quickly so heating is not a problem. I finish the knife on a Powr-Strop leather wheel to deburr the blade.
Since I collect different sharpening systems I play with all different methods. I have a Tormix type sharpener, a slow wet stone wheel. Great for sharpening blades for hand planes and chisels.

Over 95% of all my sharpening is on the 1X42 including my EDCs.

I have two “slow rpm” belt sanders. Both 1x42. Ceramic belts are the way to go with them! They both turn 1750 rpm so not real slow but as you said, keep the blade moving and it will stay cool. Mostly I use the 1x42 tool for sharpening garden tools.

I have roughly 200 bench stones in my shop. Anytime a “new” stone was developed, I would buy some and test them. Some were losers, some are winners. I keep a set of diamond stones in my vehicles for those who prefer a flat edge on their knives.

I have tested most, if not all, of the machines and gimmicks out there. Not many stay on the bench. Most get tested and put away as not acceptable for what I need.

Kevin

[StrawHat]

Just so folks don’t imagine this job is all fun and games, October starts the busy seat for us. BUT, it is still uncertain how much will happen in a given day. For example, Wednesday we sharpened for only one customer, 21 pair of scissors. Friday 28 customers brought 278 items to be sharpened. Since I am an itinerant sharpener, everything needs to be done before I get to go home.

You learn to establish and hone an edge quickly. Customers understand waiting. They do not understand returning dull edges.

Kevin

[StrawHat]

While you are figuring out what to charge to sharpen a knife, consider how much you will charge to repair damaged edges.

Like this one.

I should have included something for scale. That crater is nearly 5/16” deep!

Kevin

[Steve Warden]

Woody must have gotten his answer.
He hasn't been around in almost a year.

[mrwatch]

While you are figuring out what to charge to sharpen a knife, consider how much you will charge to repair damaged edges.

Like this one.

00EDBA48-4B70-4947-B0A3-BF5EA9176910.jpeg

I should have included something for scale. That crater is nearly 5/16” deep!

Kevin

The brand looks familiar, I believe the blade is much thinner? Looks like someone hit a stainless steel sink with no cutting board. "it happens!" The customer would have to understand it will be much different and sometimes just turn down the job.

[StrawHat]

That is a Miyabi. I explained there were two ways to fix that. The easy (inexpensive) way, with a slow wheel remove the crater and then create a new bevel or the correct way. The correct way involves flat stones, laying the existing main bevel on the stone and removing the crater by thinning the knife on both sides while maintaining the correct bevel. Then sharpening the knife at the proper angle. It was also explained that the weight would change and the balance would shift. She opted for the second method.

Kevin

[Colonel26]

Wow! How long did it take you to fix that one?

That is a Miyabi. I explained there were two ways to fix that. The easy (inexpensive) way, with a slow wheel remove the crater and then create a new bevel or the correct way. The correct way involves flat stones, laying the existing main bevel on the stone and removing the crater by thinning the knife on both sides while maintaining the correct bevel. Then sharpening the knife at the proper angle. It was also explained that the weight would change and the balance would shift. She opted for the second method.

Kevin

[StrawHat]

Less time than I thought. Done in less than two hours, including polishing.

The initial stone was slightly finer than a cinder block and got the nick out quickly. After that, successively finer grits where used to remove scratches. Polishing was done with a leather belt at about 1000 rpm.

Kevin

[Colonel26]

“Slightly finer than a cinder block”

Well done!

[StrawHat]

My wife and I come to the Chicago area four time each year to sharpen in a small chain of grocery stores. Been doing it for six years and we enjoy it quite a bit. We rent a house and bring the dogs so there is down time and time to relax. This trip was a bit different. I packed the vehicle late on a dark, damp and cold evening. I hurried as I was cold and hungry.

We get to the first store and as I am unloading my equipment I realize I the wheels for my foot powered sharpening device did not make the trip! Tough to sharpen without the abrasive wheels. I always carry back ups but the back up pedestal is intended to be mounted on the primary platform base which is still back home! I always bring other devices with me for sharpening but those require electricity and while I am not opposed to using them, I do not use them in an open store. Herself looks at me and says “what would your Father do? How did he teach you to sharpen?” So, I grabbed my case of bench stones and prepared for business. Honestly, the thought of 40-60 customers a day and 200-400 items a day was a bit unnerving. But, I am happy to say that Pop’s training paid off. The first three days saw us sharpen for a few more than 100 customers with no one turned away. Yes, we stayed longer at one store than we scheduled but everyone, customers and store management, was happy we were there.

We have four more days and then we head home. We, my wife is the one who does all the intake, paper work, sleeving, returns, etc. All I do is sharpen. Together, we are easily three times as efficient as when I work solo. My arms and shoulders are getting a work out! But, we, mostly I, have learned a bunch from this trip.

Thank you Pop! For teaching me how to sharpen when I was a kid. For teaching me not to panic in a situation but to get settled and find a solution. For teaching me not to quit. And for insisting I sit up straight. 10 hours sitting on a stool would be a killer if I were to slouch!

Kevin

[Quick Steel]

Thank you for recounting such a challenging experience. Well done.

[Steve Warden]

Way to push through, Kevin.
Great story. Thanks for sharing!

[jmh58]

Well done Kevin!!
John

[StrawHat]

Herself and I survived!! Seven days of solid sharpening, nearly 400 customers. What a week! I have a newfound respect for my bench stones, enough so I am considering retiring my foot powered wheels.

Thank you for the thoughts and support.

Kevin