Wanting to get in the sharpening business and need some help.

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peterbilt123

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May 2, 2013
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Hey guy's, I'm looking at getting into the knife sharpening business and was reading all of the good information on this site and had some questions. I'm not familiar with sharpening but want to learn the trade because I believe it's dying out and would like to try preserve it while making a little cash on the side. Is there any books that I should buy about learning? Should I use the paper wheels or should I learn with a belt sander? Do I need the three sided stone system as well? Im going to meet with the local sharpening guy from another town today and he's going to show me around his shop. He's getting older and has a tough time moving around from arthritis so I thought maybe if I can learn from him and others on this site I might have a pretty good thing going for me. I really appreciate all of the help and pointers in advance. Thank You!
 
I would learn freehand first. Go to a couple shows, apprentice in a shop. If there is one left in your area, find out who does the sharpening at your local hardware store, they might farm it out to someone. You're more than likely going to sharpen kitchen knives and lawn equipment (lawnmower blades, chainsaws etc). Most of these are DIYers though. Top flight sharpeners take care of expensive chef's knives, if you ruin one of those blades, you could get people after you :D.
 
I have been professionally sharpening off and on for the last 12 years. While it is very gratifying it is also very hard to make a decent living on sharpening alone.
 
Thank you all for the quick responses. I went to the local sharpening guy today and he showed me how he did some things, gave me a few catalog names, some books to learn from, he used belt sanders for the most part. He did show me some other tools he had also. The belt sanders looked pretty awesome and easy to use. It probably would be best to learn freehand like silent hunter suggested. Do you guys think investing in a belt sander would be a good idea the farther I get?
 
A belt sander is probably the most versatile tool a sharpener can have in the stable. It will become a necessity down the road.
 
peterbilt123 said:
Thank you all for the quick responses. I went to the local sharpening guy today and he showed me how he did some things, gave me a few catalog names, some books to learn from, he used belt sanders for the most part. He did show me some other tools he had also. The belt sanders looked pretty awesome and easy to use. It probably would be best to learn freehand like silent hunter suggested. Do you guys think investing in a belt sander would be a good idea the farther I get?
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Familiarize yourself with angles first. Belt sanders can remove metal FAST. It is a good way to ruin a knife if you don't know what you are doing.
 
I use both a belt sander and paper wheels. You'll need the paper wheels to hone the edges. Belt sanders work well for repairs - but things happen in a hurry and you have to be very careful not to overheat the edge.
 
If there are mobile knife sharpener guys around (they are often one man shows) you might find one who wants out, and be able to buy training, gear and clients. Admittedly that is a huge gamble, but depending on where you live, every restaurant needs knives sharpened. There was a guy selling out here where I live, and I almost did that myself, but the sale price was well above my credit limit!
 
As a service provider I can tell you that making a small fortune in the knife maintenance/modification trade requires that you start with a large fortune.

It is wonderful work, but I have developed my craft over a long period of time and shutter to think of anyone starting this sort of work for hire that has little or no experience.

Last week I had several knives on my bench valued well north of 500 and a few that would probably bring over 1000. It is a trip to handle nice pieces, but not something to dive into without proper investment in your craft.
 
i have been sharpening knives for other for quite some time and you have to be good and fast. hand sharpening is not the way to go and you need to be able to stop in a business, get their knives sharp and move on to the next place in a minimal ammount of time. i can sharpen a decent size kitchen knife in a few minutes or less and get it shaving sharp. a set of the wheels is the way to go. here in town i trade sharpening for pizza that i give to my dad. i have a buddy that eats free whenever he wants since he takes care of a friends knives at his restaurant.
 
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