I am able to sharpen almost all knives, and even do an occasional machete, brush hook or hatchet.
I am able to sharpen scissors, as well.
Price List
$3 minimum, may not include major regrinds or re-profiling
- Standard edge – $0.75 a linear inch
- Serrated edge – $1 a linear inch
- Hatchets, axes – usually ~$10 a blade
- Machetes, etc – $1 a linear inch
- Scissors (basic household fabric or paper type)- ~$8 each
My Process
The center of my sharpening equipment is a completely manually operated EdgePro Sharpener, which uses water stones. I prefer, when possible, to take the time to sharpen by hand to decrease the amount of steel I remove from the edge and help the knife last a little longer. It takes a little longer to do it this way, but I think it produces a better edge and serves to ensure that the tool lasts longer.
I do occasionally use a belt grinder if I need to regrind a chipped edge, a broken tip or a severely dull edge. I do use the belt grinder for larger work tools like machetes. My grinders have a full range of speed adjustment which allows me to grind the steel of a hardened blade with much control of the temperature. This is very important so that the blade is not overheated and ruined during sharpening.
I have been sharpening knives since I was very young on our family farm, where I used bench stones.
A note on chisels
I am often asked if I sharpen woodworking chisels. Although I do occasionally sharpen chisels, I don’t really offer it as a service. The reason for this is that unfortunately it often gets more expensive to sharpen chisel than it would cost to simply purchase a new one.
Sharpening a chisel often requires that the bevel be reground and the back be lapped, which takes time and patience to do. Bevels can be ground on the belt grinder but great care has to be taken to not overheat the tool and ruin its heat treatment. In many ways, it just doesn’t seem economical to offer this service.
This isn’t always the case. The higher end chisels cost more to replace and are thus more economical to resharpen. It is not that I can’t do it, I just want customers to know what they are paying for and don’t want them feel they are getting ripped off.