Thinking of a small knife sharpening business

[stitchawl]

Here's my setup....

Had to cap the stone arm to keep it from falling out while riding around.

cbw
(j/k of course)

Hey, sometimes a really good idea grows out of a little funny thought.... And this one should merit some serious consideration! :thumbup:
Virtually no set-up needed, no van needed, just a lawn chair, sun shade, and a willingness to not get rich quickly....
The biggest obstacle, as I see it, is getting taken seriously. We sharpeners know the value of the EdgePro Pro, but Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Public doesn't have a clue. One the up-side, you can carry all your stones in your shirt pocket, a canteen of water on your belt, and set up at flea markets and Farmer's Mkts. in your area to get exposure without a lot of hassle. Pick up a handful of junk knives from the Salvation Army (just be sure they are really steel) and just sit and slowly sharpen in the shade with a nicely lettered sign explaining why you are there. It would take a season or two of little or no business (do guy's pocket knives for a buck just to give them an idea of what's going on) but I think this could actually work. An Ipod for some tunes or audio-books to keep from going batty and you might have a future there! If I were in the states, I'd give it some serious thought. (Flea Markets are not as common here. Once a month sort of things. Bicycle sharpeners, on the other hand, are as common as fleas!)

Stitchawl

 

[mordi]

I sharpen part time 100-200 knives per week and up to 100 a day. I use a 1"x30"
Delta . Normally I have to re-bevel Every knife and I average 8 belts per knife,from
80 grit to unloaded strop. I sharpen in the kitchens of the customer,good for PR.
good luck.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Here's my setup....

Had to cap the stone arm to keep it from falling out while riding around.





cbw
(j/k of course)

Don't laugh- I think that's how Chico Buller does it!

 

[MT Borg]

I like the idea of this thread, setting up a portable shop but was wondering... I just got the paper wheels, great, but to set up a mini shop I would need a grinder with them and another one with 2 courser wheels... maybe another one with polishing wheels.

If say at a gun show, inside, someone is going to complain about the dust being generated. How do you contain it? Is by booth design? Or?

 

[chococrazy]

Here's my setup....

Had to cap the stone arm to keep it from falling out while riding around.





cbw
(j/k of course)

Run a pulley from the arm to the engine, then rev the engine on that thing :O. Just make sure the knife is bolted down! You should get beatiful edges in seconds!

 

[mnblade]

Yes, I would be promoting/handing out business cards at restaurants maybe setting up a table at the local farmer's market.

Great ideas. BTW, anyone looking to start a small business like this ought to read the book "Guerrilla Marketing" by Jay Levinson.

 

[bigmike2u]

I too would like to open an knife and tool sharpening business.