My first Craft Fair for sharpening, advice?

C

CWME

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Nov 12, 2013
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So I bought a table at a local Church craft fair. I hope to sharpen some stuff while at the fair but my primary reason is to get my business cards/facebook page out there into the community. I have my paperwheel grinder setup and ready to go. I am going to toss in the edge pro and probably my tormek for show. I am not sure I will have room for the microscope for before and after shots or if it is nessesary. I have 100 buisness cards and will print up a couple hundred fliers to hand out to supliment. I have change(1s and 5s), calculator, rags, windex, light, strops, etc.

Any words of wisdom for me? Kind of nervous about doing my thing out in public. It is one thing to sharpen stuff in the confines and comfort of my basement where I can take my time. My fear is that someone is going to hand me something wierd/expensive/one of a kind to sharpen that I have never done before and want it done quickly. I have been doing my woodworking tools and knives for years. It is the wierd stuff that makes me nervous. I don't generally freehand items unless they are mine and use the tormek guides on the paperwheels(BG-100 setup) and the water grinder(T7) for other peoples items. I am pretty good at freehand work but don't like giving someone an item without a consistant bevel and polish on it.

I have done about 50 knives so far for other folks since starting up a few weeks ago and everyone can't believe how sharp their knives are when I am done. I am slow and particular about my work though.

Anyway, if you have read this far I thank you and look forward to advice and words of wisdom.
 
Since this is your first event this may not be an issue for you, but hopefully you will need it in the future. At our local Farmers Market the knife sharpener has about ten rectangular plasic containers. Each container has a number written on it and a paper receipt with the same number in it. That is how he keeps track of each customer's knives. It seems like the system works well for him.
 
I do sharpening at our local farmer's market, have for several years.

1. Never rush a job. You'll only make an error.
2. Don't let a customer rush you. If they need it immediately,
and are pressuring, decline the job.
3. As mentioned, keep a tray or box for each job.
4. Get a phone number for each job. You can't believe how many people
forget to pick up their stuff. I've had a pair of pinking shears for
2 years. Customer left no name or phone.
5. Money up front. Makes it more likely they won't forget.
6. Concentrate on the job at hand. Don't think of how many more you have
to do. Keep your mind on one knife at a time.
7. Take your time, take your time, take your time. Think about what you're
going to do to each blade before you start.
8. If you think you can't sharpen a particular job, for whatever reason,
politely decline.
9. People love to chat with their sharpener, but don't let it distract you.
10. Cuts happen, keep band-aids handy. We give a stamped band-aid as a business
card. Folks love it.

Good luck and most of all, have fun,

Bill
 
I would just echo what Bill said. Especially about not letting the customer distract you while you sharpen a knife. That is when accidents happen, and you don't want any accidents in front of your customers. I would recommend that you build/put up a front or partition on your table to cover up your wheels while you work as a safety and a means to keep YOU from being distracted. I have one I use at a local flea market that is made from plywood that covers me from three sides. It helps from me being distracted, and in case something hangs and flies away, it protects the public. Took me an hour to put together and is 24 inches tall in the front, and each side slants to 12 inches at the side to form the side supports. Sort of a squared C shape, and is framed in 2X4's to add weight and make it stable when sitting on the wooden tables. I just throw it into the back of my SUV and haul it there when I set up a table. It has a sign with my fees posted on it so I don't have to answer "What do you charge for...." fifty times a day.

Good luck and most of all have fun and enjoy the paid lessons!

Blessings,

Omar
 
Thanks for the advice here. It has calmed my fears substantially. As you guys said "have fun!", this is why I am doing the sharpening business to begin with. I enjoy making stuff sharp but really don't have enough dull items around the house to satisfy the need. If I can bring in a few $ to help offset my equipment costs and maybe set some Christmas/emergency $ away I will be happy.

I like the booth setup idea with the costs listed. I could add a pocket for the fliers too. I have my grinder setup on a piece of plywood with a 2x6 set at an angle on the front. kinda like this ___/, that way I can flip the grinder up so the knives are resting at a downward angle on the wheels so I can set the angle with the tormek angle guide. My wheels are set to spin away from me. I was going to put a piece of plexiglass on the front but like the booth idea better.

I have some plastic ackro bins to use with cost calculator sheets to use. I also have a place for the customer's name and number. Good tip on the #, never would have believed people would forget their items. Good to know.

Take my time, got it. Would have to anyway, don't like to do something half way. I need my reputation to be top notch. I want every knife to give the owner that "WOW" factor when they get it back.

Decline jobs that I am not comfortable with. Got it, was thinking of only accepting knives and scissors at the fair for now. I need to get comfortable with this deal. Doubt anyone would have their entire wood turning kit in the car with them anyway. I do know that a lot of the Church ladies have heard I am coming and are bringing their knife sets. If nothing else I will be running the Church's knives as a donation.

Love your Bandaid business card idea! That is really creative. I have a first aid kit in every car so I will bring that in with me. Thanks for the reminder.

This brings up a question, how do you give a knife back to a customer. I have been wrapping everything in heavy craft paper and stamping that with my logo. I am still waiting on a call back from the insurance company to get some rate quotes on liability insurance. For now I think my policy of covering every blade is the way to go to limit my liability.

I really thank you for your time with responding. The information provided has been very helpful to me.
 
Bring something to clean off the blade before sharpening. You won't believe what some people leave on their blades. WD40, simple green, or soap and water. Not ajax or some other abrasive cleaner though. You don't want to leave scratches. Have fun!
 
I agree on bringing several cleaning compounds. Maybe isopropyl alcohol, goo gone, and maybe some simple green or other neutral cleaner.

I've been toying with doing some paid sharpening for a while now and I REALLY enjoy hearing about other people's experiences with it. So I'd LOVE to read about how your sharpening fair goes!

Best of luck to you.

Brian.
 
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Adding more cleaning supplies to the gear, thanks for that tip! Here are some photos of my sharpening setup for your enjoyment.
I ordered my banner for the table this afternoon. Staples is running a 50 percent off deal on those right now so saved some $ there. Thanks for the encouragement. I will give an update on how it went.
 
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I wrap mine in a paper towel with a rubber band to hold the towel, which is poor at best. I had a link for some paper sheaths, but can not find it for some reason. They made them in several sizes and lengths out of heavy paper stock. Not sure about the price as I never contacted them. You might Google them to see if you can get any hits. I have a hand out that I also give out describing how to take care of their kitchen knives, and how to maintain sharpness with a steel. I will send you a copy if you pm me your e-mail address if you are interested.

Blessings,

Omar
 
Very cool, congratulations and best of luck! Very nice looking sharpening set-up you have.
I too will be sharpening for profit for the first time at a gun and knife show this weekend.
Good info in the thread and will keep these things in mind as I pack.
 
We wrap our sharpened blades in sheets of newspaper fastened with blue tape.

Also, make sure you have good lighting over your grinders.
 
I found The vinyl roller shades from home depot and some duck tape make a great temp sheath. I think it was $8 for a 3x6ft shade.
 
Just wanted to say that Bill Hoffman's post (#3) is pure gold. I would print that out and put it where I could keep it handy all the time.

I sharpen knives for my friends for expensive cigars and expensive whiskey, and occasionally money. I have free hand sharpened for about 50 years now, so confidence is high. To me, sharpening is relaxing. I don't worry about goofing up my friend's knives even though some are quite expensive as I take my time with each knife.

Just two things I would add to the excellent advice you have received. First, take a spray bottle of a good smelling lubricant (NEVER WD40!!) like RemOil, LS1, or something like that to hit the pivots of the folders, traditionals or modern flippers. Most non knife guys never, ever oil the joints. A well lubricated knife makes the operation feel like you did some kind of rehab when you sharpened it.

The second thing I would do is take my trusty Dremel tool with some round, cone stone burrs and a small cloth polishing wheel with some green polishing compound. I don't like serrations on a knife, but there are plenty with them. (The fella that does your gig at the local gunshow charges extra for serrations, by the way...) I have found the easiest way to sharpen serrations is to carefully grind them out with the correct size grit cone, the polish away with the green compound. If you follow the bevel, you will get them better than new. Many folks can sharpen a flat, plain blade but few can do a really nice job on serrations. I found this to be the easiest, fastest, most accurate way for me to do them.

And one last thought... search for "free business cards" on Google (no doubt you have seen the ads for Vi$ta Prin#) and you can get some nice cards to get you going for the cost of shipping.

OK... this is really the last thought... I promise! Make sure you are charging sales tax unless this is just an exploratory day out. Our state requires it, even from small vendors. That being said, some charge it and some don't.

Good luck on your business!

Robert
 
If you have a hard time working and talking... bring someone with you that can do some talking.

:)

I was a scissor sharpener before a knife sharpener, I do a large pet fair here in a Atlanta every year.
I sharpen hundreds of pairs of scissors there, and always bring my dad and sister so they can chat up everyone, take money, tag and bag their items.
I use small clear bags and have some tags with wire on them to keep them seperated.
Name, cell phone number a must. I usually just text them when their items are done.

Bring yourself some drinks and snacks so you dont have to wonder off to far from your booth.
 
Flyer,

Thank you very much.

Mammy is correct. Bring someone along to take care
of the paperwork, chat up the customers, keep you sane.

+1 on the Dremel, oil, and cleaner.

Have a good time.

Bill:)
 
I'm not sure if you have been to the location where your booth will be or not but you might want to do some recon and see what power will be available to you and what receptacles you'll have access too. (How many extension cords if any you'll need).
 
Midnight, I actually printed the whole thread and had it on the counter with me when I was packing up last night:thumbup: I agree, the info I/WE have been provided is better than gold!

I packed my can of Kroil for the good smelling lube. Only other thing I have is 3in1 or WD-40.

I have different sized AL rods, round and square with some 320-600grit PSA sand paper for the serrations. These can be used with the Edge Pro scissor attachment. Works ok but I have only done a few serrated knives so far. That setup is if I cant get an edge with the 1/4 paper wheels I have in my kit. Those only have polishing compound on them for now.

My Sister is part of the setup crew at the Church and they have assured me that I will have an outlet behind my table. But being and Eagle Scout and always prepared I have a 100 foot cord with a couple 25 footers packed and ready to go. I also have a power strip to plug in the light and machines.

My Sis is going to be with me, I am 40-45% deaf and have a hard time hearing in crowds. The hearing aids I have amplify the sound behind me, rather anoying so most of the time I go without them. This might be the hardest part of the deal for me depending on the noise level in the room I will be in.

Good luck to you TAself. Let us know how you do!

I was at Target the other night and found some brown paper sandwich bags. I think I got 100 for $1.87 maybe a bit more. Anyway, pennies per bag. The thing with these is I can fold the end back onto itself giving me 4 layers of bag at the tip. I then start with the blade facing in and roll the knife up in the bag. A little tape and it is done. No more fussing with the roll of kraft paper. I had looked up the safety sheaths that Bill mentioned. It was rather expensive, I think $55-60 for 500 of one size. I would have a pretty good investment to get a variety of sizes. Good suggestion but more $ than I want to spend. The paper bag deal works for most 8" knives and under. Layer two bags staggered works for bigger knives. I still only have $.04 invested at most.

Thanks for all the suggestions and words of encouragement!
 
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CWME said:
Midnight, I actually printed the whole thread and had it on the counter with me when I was packing up last night:thumbup: I agree, the info I/WE have been provided is better than gold!

SNIP

Thanks for all the suggestions and words of encouragement!
Click to expand...

Lots of good folks with some great advice around here, no doubt.

I hope you come back with glowing reports of your good success!

Robert
 
I use heavy paper sleeves. Works for me and customers really like them. Get ahold of John at knifesleeves.com. A good product at a reasonable price.
 
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