Attention Professional Sharpeners and Customers: Rate/Inch?

BladeChemist

BladeChemist

Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
261
While I've visited and referenced multiple websites owned or frequented by professional knife sharpeners to find out what they charge- I haven't done that here.

I'm starting a sharpening side business specializing in extremely sharp edges (mirror polished) and I'm still stuck on what to charge so I'm looking for advice on the subject.

If you're willing to participate whether as a customer or sharpener, along with any discussion you might want to add could you include the following:

-Service and Method (general sharpening, mirror edge sharpening, paper wheels, Edge Pro, hand sharpening, etc)

-Cost (Per knife or per inch or other)

-Comments

I appreciate any feedback and hope this thread will be just as useful to everyone else.
 
I think as a business it would need to be done with power equipment if you want to make any profit.

I tried sharpening for a fee at one time but sharpening is a hobby/relaxation for me and when I charged it became a job, not as fun when its a job so I had to stop. I also discovered that too many options confuse the customer, stick to one method or maybe two and keep it simple. You could do a "factory edge" and a "professional edge" one done with a belt sander and the other with your EP?

As for charging that's up to you but for the "factory edge" I'd say the average dollar per inch and for the "professional edge" up to 5 dollars per inch.

What are your plans for sharpening method? What kind of knives are your target market?
 
knifenut1013 said:
I think as a business it would need to be done with power equipment if you want to make any profit.

I tried sharpening for a fee at one time but sharpening is a hobby/relaxation for me and when I charged it became a job, not as fun when its a job so I had to stop. I also discovered that too many options confuse the customer, stick to one method or maybe two and keep it simple. You could do a "factory edge" and a "professional edge" one done with a belt sander and the other with your EP?

As for charging that's up to you but for the "factory edge" I'd say the average dollar per inch and for the "professional edge" up to 5 dollars per inch.

What are your plans for sharpening method? What kind of knives are your target market?
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It's very hard to make enough per knife for it to be worth it doing them by hand. Time spent, supplies and gas going to the PO to ship the knives isn't free, it's all worth something and it all adds up fast.

On the EP one could sharpen using the 320 grit stone matching the factory edge angles and it would be fast enough that it might be worth the time and supplies if one charged enough. Any higher than that unless one was going to charge $30 a knife or more it's just not worth the time and effort and just with the stones, start polishing the edges and it's really not worth it.

The 320 grit stone cuts fast enough to sharpen a blade very fast, that's just sharpening, not reprofiling so. If one is good with the EP they should beable to knock a blade out in mins and charge enough for it to be worth it if they charged around $10 to $15 a blade. I can put a very sharp edge on a blade in well under 5 mins just using the 320 grit stone so I know it can be done.

Start adding higher grit finishes like 600 grit and up, reprofiling etc and it takes more time and materials.

That's why I don't offer the service anymore.
 
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Through the years I’ve been asked to sharpen various knives for people but I refuse to accept money. People that know me know that. Instead, I accept “gifts”. A 12 yrs. old bottle of Macallan is a good swap. And once, I scored a bottle of Penfolds' Grange for an entire kitchen knife block set. The wooden block was in horrible shape so I threw it out and made a new one out of Cocobolo and Gaboon Ebony with turned 6al/4v Ti feet. This makes life worthwhile.
 
Been sharpening for a few years for people in my area. Mostly just enjoy bringing a edge back to where it should be. I charge $3.50 for blades under 3 1/2" , $4.50 for those over 3 1/2" even if it 8" or more. I just want to be able to replace the supplies that I use.
These prices are for blades with normal ware. Have done a few seminars on sharpening and try to talk most into getting the Spyderco set up. Not in it for making money as you can see by the prices I charge. For the average knife I will use a paper wheel or my Kalamazoo belt grinder. Do chisels, mower blades, lopping shears, scissors, axes etc. Have been sharpening 2" hole cutters for the builders in my area. $8-$10 each. They bring about 5 at a time. Any knife with a mirror edge is going to increase the price. If you are looking to make money you will have to charge more then I do.
Active Military and police duty knives are done for free. For me its relaxing and not really a business.
Forgot to mention for those prices I usually clean/oil up the knife.
 
5 dollars an inch for a convex reprofiling to a full mirror polish. That's done with a belt grinder.

Hand sharpening v edges are a little bit more, and I am not a fan of doing them. I enjoy hand sharpening, but for $$ my profit margin goes out the window. My time is worth 27.40 an hour, I can't make that sharpening knives by hand so in the end it turned out to be more of a hassle than anything. If I want extra $$ i'll just stay late at work and not have to deal with customers. Now I sharpen for free for people i know and occasionally forum members, but not often as my free time is scarce. If I sharpen my own knives, it's different than someone elses. If I scratch my blade a little, I don't care, it's different for someone paying me. I find most commonly people try and get me to sharpen crap knives, there's nothing I hate more. I do a lot of axes with mirrored bevels and machetes too. You going to be doing this locally or by mail? One thing I hate about online business is it gets annoying having to go to the post office all the time and deal with people not sending $$ for the correct shipping etc..
 
IMO
The businesses that offer professional sharpening are able to sharpen pert near everything. You will need to sharpen knives, shears, chisels, planes, lawnmower blades and probably a few things I haven't thought of. And you need to be good at it. Because a number of people know how to sharpen it is a little competitive and you will not become rich doing it. You will probably need to start part time or maybe apprentice with an older person who is near retirement and might be willing to sell out to you in 5 or 10 years. The only thing that I have anyone sharpen for me is my lawn mower blades at @ 40 cents an inch including balancing and a spray paint.
 
i have sharpened knives for years and i charge $1. per inch for a v edge and around $2. per inch or less for a convex edge. you might find this thread on paper wheels interesting if you want a setup that is fast and works great. you need a belt sander for convex edges but you can finish off the edge on the slotted wheel. i used to go around to restaurants and grocery stores and do their knives. you can also do scissors on the wheels. i have a member coming down from pittsburg tomorrow to learn how to sharpen scissors. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787
 
Thanks everyone so far for the information. From the few reviews posted here I can already see a vast array of techniques and business scope, and the multiple other categories that these can be broken down into.

I noticed I never did add my own take on things. First off, I'm a full time graduate student who enjoys sharpening knives. Unfortunately, we're salaried and paid as "half-time" workers while putting in 50+ hour weeks thus a need to find supplemental income.

So, I'm more than comfortable offering sharpening services for local and regional (and if by mail- national) customers, and I will be concentrating on high-precision (and mirror beveled) sharpening services for mostly just cutlery (and maybe axes). Smaller market, but the top-notch edges will allow me to charge a higher premium (and I do them well).
 
The main issue that I see for you is that the people that would want a perfect mirror polished edge are probably able to achieve it on their own equipment.

The average knife user (and if you hang out on here, you are NOT the average knife user) is going to want a knife that is sharp enough to cut easily and that is good enough. They aren't going to care if they can see their reflection in the edge. They are going to want cheaper knives sharpened as cheap and as quickly as possible.

The Bass Pro in Cincinnati will sharpen knives in the store on paper wheels. I never have them do it, but I want to say it's something like $3 for smaller folders and maybe $5-$6 for most other folders, and $1 an inch for bigger knives. Don't quote me on it though.

With the "high end" service you plan on providing, I can't see your profit margin being worth the time you invest in it. Your market is too limited for profitability.

I agree with knifenut1013 about offering two levels of service, basic and professional. 9 out of 10 services will be basic, I can guarantee it.

I also agree with Bo T about offering a complete service for all edged tools. That will increase your profitability as well.

You'll also need to invest in a paper wheel system or a belt grinder system and practice with it until you're proficient. Trying to do any quantity of sharpening for profit with a stone system will be an exercise in futility on your part.

My honest take on it, for what it's worth.
 
cramsey3006 said:
The main issue that I see for you is that the people that would want a perfect mirror polished edge are probably able to achieve it on their own equipment.

The average knife user (and if you hang out on here, you are NOT the average knife user) is going to want a knife that is sharp enough to cut easily and that is good enough. They aren't going to care if they can see their reflection in the edge. They are going to want cheaper knives sharpened as cheap and as quickly as possible.

The Bass Pro in Cincinnati will sharpen knives in the store on paper wheels. I never have them do it, but I want to say it's something like $3 for smaller folders and maybe $5-$6 for most other folders, and $1 an inch for bigger knives. Don't quote me on it though.

With the "high end" service you plan on providing, I can't see your profit margin being worth the time you invest in it. Your market is too limited for profitability.

I agree with knifenut1013 about offering two levels of service, basic and professional. 9 out of 10 services will be basic, I can guarantee it.

I also agree with Bo T about offering a complete service for all edged tools. That will increase your profitability as well.

You'll also need to invest in a paper wheel system or a belt grinder system and practice with it until you're proficient. Trying to do any quantity of sharpening for profit with a stone system will be an exercise in futility on your part.

My honest take on it, for what it's worth.
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I appreciate your input but I disagree. Taking into account the effects of proper marketing, magnitude of the ability to find customers in the first place (maybe I'm overconfident), and the benefits of networking- I gauge that I'm doing very well. Additionally, I really don't want to be overwhelmed by customers- I have a full time career that comes first and a hobby I enjoy that comes second. Receiving knives I've never seen before, sharpening them, and impressing a customer with the results are multiple examples of non-monetary benefits to this business.

See, for me my business isn't too narrow in scope- it's the right combination of time invested and money and satisfaction returned. I also don't believe that "people who want a mirror edge will achieve it with their own equipment". That seems to presuppose the idea the market is filled instead of what I believe is the more proper view- a larger market exists untapped. I've sharpened for friends, family, and coworkers and not one knew about mirror beveled edges, yet all were blown away by the results. Myself included- as a deer hunter my kill this year was gutted and butchered with mirror polished edges and I am never going back. There are so many markets untapped- even outside the sharpening world- I sometimes wish I had the capital to go 'big'.

Going back to the sharpening business, I've also enjoyed studying ergonomics- reducing the steps necessary to complete the job through efficient design of my work station and tools. And, through networking as well as my own design engineering, I'm learning to modify the E.P. system with supplemental jigs and a vast array of abrasives of all types. As it stands, I'm looking to decrease my time spent rebeveling, regrinding, and honing (and many other places).

I understand the advice you're giving is sound- I can't imagine how many potential business owners have failed to properly gauge their market and business plan and have fallen flat- but I believe I've now covered the exceptions I feel my business situation falls under.
 
I've sharpened for friends, family, and coworkers and not one knew about mirror beveled edges, yet all were blown away by the results.

I'm sure that that they were blown away by the results, if they've never encountered sharpness at that level in the past. My question here is, did you do their knives for free? A nominal charge? Do you think that they were impressed enough to pay say, $5 an inch, on a repeating basis for that edge? $20 per sharpening for a 4" blade knife, for example? You should ask them if they would. I think that's about what you'd have to ask to make it worth your while, if you're going to use stones.

What if they say, "Yeah, the edge is great, but I can't/won't pay $20 (an arbitrary figure for discussion) for that service on a repeat basis."

What would you think then?

I'm a knife nut, and I can tell you without a doubt, that I wouldn't pay someone $20 to sharpen a 4" knife on a repeating basis. Not even a Sebenza or some other high dollar folder. The edge will be nice until I use it a couple of times (if that) and then it'll be a "normal" edge, for lack of a better description. Say I have to sharpen the knife 6 times a year. $120 a year per 4" folder? Mmm...

A service based business is built on REPEAT business. Are you going to get enough repeat business?

I'm not trying to discourage you and I'm not trying to bust down on you. Far from it. If you truly feel that you can make it fly, then you need to go for it. :thumbup:

I will be honest and say that I think you've got it in your head that this is a service that people are going to jump on, and I don't think it's going to be that way.

Do you want a profitable side business or do you just want to play with knives and show off your sharpening skills? Seriously, there's a difference.

If you're looking for a supplemental income, why limit yourself? Make as much as possible for your time invested.

I'm self-employed and being such, I take a critical look at profitability in any business venture. If the margin I want isn't there, then it's not worth my time or investment. Even if it's a side business, I'm going to be investing my time and money in it. It HAS to provide a suitable monetary return. Yes, there's "having passion in your work" but that doesn't pay a mortgage.
 
pwet said:
you've probably checked this site already ??

http://www.japaneseknifesharpening.com/mailorderform.html
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Awesome- that's precisely the kind of thing I'm looking for. Thank you.

cramsey3006 said:
I've sharpened for friends, family, and coworkers and not one knew about mirror beveled edges, yet all were blown away by the results.

I'm sure that that they were blown away by the results, if they've never encountered sharpness at that level in the past. My question here is, did you do their knives for free? A nominal charge? Do you think that they were impressed enough to pay say, $5 an inch, on a repeating basis for that edge? $20 per sharpening for a 4" blade knife, for example? You should ask them if they would. I think that's about what you'd have to ask to make it worth your while, if you're going to use stones.

What if they say, "Yeah, the edge is great, but I can't/won't pay $20 (an arbitrary figure for discussion) for that service on a repeat basis."

What would you think then?

I'm a knife nut, and I can tell you without a doubt, that I wouldn't pay someone $20 to sharpen a 4" knife on a repeating basis. Not even a Sebenza or some other high dollar folder. The edge will be nice until I use it a couple of times (if that) and then it'll be a "normal" edge, for lack of a better description. Say I have to sharpen the knife 6 times a year. $120 a year per 4" folder? Mmm...

A service based business is built on REPEAT business. Are you going to get enough repeat business?

I'm not trying to discourage you and I'm not trying to bust down on you. Far from it. If you truly feel that you can make it fly, then you need to go for it. :thumbup:

I will be honest and say that I think you've got it in your head that this is a service that people are going to jump on, and I don't think it's going to be that way.

Do you want a profitable side business or do you just want to play with knives and show off your sharpening skills? Seriously, there's a difference.

If you're looking for a supplemental income, why limit yourself? Make as much as possible for your time invested.

I'm self-employed and being such, I take a critical look at profitability in any business venture. If the margin I want isn't there, then it's not worth my time or investment. Even if it's a side business, I'm going to be investing my time and money in it. It HAS to provide a suitable monetary return. Yes, there's "having passion in your work" but that doesn't pay a mortgage.
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I hate when I lose a comprehensive post.

Anyways, I appreciate the advice cramsey but If I haven't made it clear I'll state it plainly: I will be offering two tiers of service which will be marketed towards two different yet diverse groups of customers. I'm not worried at all about having enough customers- I'm just interested in knowing the sharpening rates of a large variety of professional sharpeners.
 
Thank you for stating it plainly...;)

In your posts, you said that you were offering a premium service for mirror polished edges.

After several people posted about how you should offer a two tier service as well as sharpening other tools, you said nothing to acknowledge those posts.

Matter of fact, you stated that you were going to specialize in high cost premium edges. In none of your posts did you state you were offering a two levels of service.:confused:

You will definitely increase your market by offering two levels of service.

If you feel like I'm stomping on your toes, I apologize.

You seem to be agitated that people aren't telling you what you want to hear.

They are telling you that it's competitive and difficult to make a profit, especially using stones.

No one BF is going to say "YES! You will be able to have a successful side business sharpening knives to a mirror polished edge at a premium cost."

The best thing about BF, as far as I'm concerned, is that people on here tell you what you NEED to hear, not just what you WANT to hear.

You're getting good advice from people who currently sharpen for profit, as well as people who've tried it in the past. :thumbup:

I do wish you well on your venture. I hope you can profit enough to make it worth your while. :cool:
 
cramsey3006 said:
Thank you for stating it plainly...;)

In your posts, you said that you were offering a premium service for mirror polished edges.

After several people posted about how you should offer a two tier service as well as sharpening other tools, you said nothing to acknowledge those posts.

Matter of fact, you stated that you were going to specialize in high cost premium edges. In none of your posts did you state you were offering a two levels of service.:confused:

You will definitely increase your market by offering two levels of service.

If you feel like I'm stomping on your toes, I apologize.

You seem to be agitated that people aren't telling you what you want to hear.

They are telling you that it's competitive and difficult to make a profit, especially using stones.

No one BF is going to say "YES! You will be able to have a successful side business sharpening knives to a mirror polished edge at a premium cost."

The best thing about BF, as far as I'm concerned, is that people on here tell you what you NEED to hear, not just what you WANT to hear.

You're getting good advice from people who currently sharpen for profit, as well as people who've tried it in the past. :thumbup:

I do wish you well on your venture. I hope you can profit enough to make it worth your while. :cool:
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It's okay, I didn't communicate it very well in the first place. I agree- I have a hard time imagining running a successful business built on just mirror polished edges. Sorry for the confusion- I can see why you thought I was a little too starry eyed.
 
the price you charge should be determined by four main factors:

1. what type of knife you're sharpening and it's length.
2. how bad the edge is.
3. how long it takes you to complete the job. this is probably the most important factor.
4. what level of sharpening the customer wants.

another thing to consider is what the knife is going to be used for and how the person takes care of their knives.

good luck.
 
i have a set price for v edges since the wheels basically put the same edge on every knife if it has good steel. lower quality steels and carbon vs stainless are different as to how the finished edge feels. if someone brings me a cheap piece of pakistan crap i'll usually tell them to save the money they would spend on having me sharpen the knife and buy a good knife worth having and when it gets dull i'll be glad to sharpen it. bladechemist, you might find this thread interesting. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651061
 
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