A Knife to Show Off

ATwistedStaple

ATwistedStaple

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Jun 26, 2013
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So I'm probably going to start a small blade sharpening business. Nothing special. I don't know of anyone offering the service in town though and thought it might be a way to make a little extra income.

There are a couple sharpening services of course, but they're more tool oriented than sub-micron polished knife edges.

I don't have any safe queens though. All my knives get used and show signs of that use. For that reason I'm looking for recommendations for an example or demo knife to show off. I know what I think is cool, but I want something that will show well to knife guys and non-knife folk alike.

Please include a photo with your recommendations. I'm looking for something around the $200 mark, but I have some wiggle room. I also want a hard steel. It won't take any abuse so I just want to put a laser edge in it.
 
Look at the Bark River EDC. It is a bit over your budget, but it comes in a wide array of scales from wood and stag to ctek.
They used M4 and ran it up to 64 hrc, which is its sweet spot, so if you did want to use it, don't fear for it being chippy.

It is also fantastic looking to boot.
 
I know this isn't what you're asking for, but spending $200 on a knife that will serve no other purpose but as a "display model" sounds like a bad way to spend $200.

I think that any knife, or better yet, an assortment of knives (kitchen, pocket, bowie, etc) would serve just fine as an example of your sharpening skills, and they don't need to be new or fancy to show what you can do.

In business, if you want to be successful (profitable), you have to consider the value and return of every dollar you spend. The money you spend needs to make more money for you in return, otherwise it's a loss. Every dollar you spend needs to be an investment in the business that will help generate profit.

Perhaps that $200 could be better spent on sharpening equipment, or advertisement, business cards, etc.

Good luck with your business.
 
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What I would do is take a plain old regular midrange chef's knife and abuse the heck out of it... I mean just ruin the edge. Then sharpen only half of the blade.
 
Chef's knives and whatnot I've got. I'm looking for a folder to carry with me and serve as a functional advertisement. I want something pretty, so as to grab their attention before they've even had the chance to experience the blade edge.
 
It may be better to get a common tool that people know well and sharpen that. Maybe an Eastwing hatchet. Put a razor edge on that and it will impress people.
 
ZT0452CF

No matter if you prefer tactical or traditional blades, there is no denying this knife's visual appeal. Throw a nice polished edge on there, and you've got a great knife to display your skills.
 
mwally said:
ZT0452CF

No matter if you prefer tactical or traditional blades, there is no denying this knife's visual appeal. Throw a nice polished edge on there, and you've got a great knife to display your skills.
Click to expand...

Was looking pretty heavily at the 452 and the 770. The 770 can be had in M4 which I don't have any experience with, but I'm told it will take an unbelievably keen edge.
 
Yalius said:
What I would do is take a plain old regular midrange chef's knife and abuse the heck out of it... I mean just ruin the edge. Then sharpen only half of the blade.
Click to expand...
I understand you want a folder for edc advertising, however this is a good idea. I would use a old Hickery.
for a folder.maybe nice stockman. You could sharpen each blade at different angles . Just a thought.
 
I'm with those who recommend the abused/1/2 sharp idea. This would be great.

The thought that any one knife purchased and set aside as a display knife would not impress me as I think anyone with enough time could likely get any one knife super sharp. My inclination would be to have a few to 1/2 dozen normal (depending on your clientele - normal would mean different things) looking knives and get those tuned up perfectly. Carry them around in a rolled up pouch carrier along with some soft tomatoes or hard potatoes etc. (again dependent on your target client). Good luck.
 
This will be done from my home in my spare time though. I meet a lot of people through my day job and can drum up business that way and via advertising. I can't exactly carry around a couple of chef's knives in my back pocket, but I can carry an extra folder as an example in my pocket to show.
 
If someone showed me an unused, pristine knife with a perfect edge I wouldn't be impressed. Because for all I know I might be looking at the original factory edge. And if the knife was never used, how much sharpening could it really have needed.

But if someone showed me an old, heavily used, beat-to-hell knife that had a perfect edge, then I would be impressed. Because it would be obvious that the knife needed sharpening and that the person who sharpened it had some real skills.

It's your sharpening skills that you want to impress people with. Not your choice of knives.
 
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Why not adapt the chef's knife idea to folders. Get a multi-blade knife, such as a traditional. Maybe even one with two blades that are similar. Dull one blade in a way that is really apparent. Sharpen the other.

Also, think about what medium you will be around to show your edge off. As you said, you can't carry around vegetables. Paper and cardboard come to mind; they are everywhere. Plastic ties you carry around are small. Then plan on how you would use these for a cutting demonstration.
 
killgar said:
If someone showed me an unused, pristine knife with a perfect edge I wouldn't be impressed. Because for all I know I might be looking at the original factory edge. And if the knife was never used, how much sharpening could it really have needed.

But if someone showed me an old, heavily used, beat-to-hell knife that had a perfect edge, then I would be impressed. Because it would be obvious that the knife needed sharpening and that the person who sharpened it had some real skills.

It's your sharpening skills that you want to impress people with. Not your choice of knives.
Click to expand...

Good point. I can tell a skilled edge from factory but an average person may not. I'll look for a rough user instead to show the contrast. I'll keep a half'n'half chefs knife in the truck too in case someone asks to see one.

Thanks guys.
 
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