what is the average fee for sharpening?

[matlocc]

Considering starting a little side job sharpening for coworkers, neighbors etc.. What do you guys charge for something like that?

 

[ATwistedStaple]

Depends on the service. Full mirror edge on a recurve or tanto in a steel over 60 rockwell: $50. Basic 1000 grit on a drop point in 8cr13mov: $5. Time is really the issue. A mirror edge on a recurve M4 will take over an hour sometimes, where the 8cr with a straight edge takes seconds.

 

[matlocc]

i am referring to household knives in the kitchen and such. nothing special, just sharp and functional. 5 bucks a knife?

 

[ugaarguy]

$5 is reasonable for most kitchen knives which actually have pretty low carbon steel. However, as stated, you need to set up at least a semi-detailed fee schedule. If you don't you'll inevitably run into that one coworker who brings you a full set of Shuns in VG-10 or ZDP-189 and expects you to mirror polish them for $5 each.

 

[ATwistedStaple]

$5 is reasonable for most kitchen knives which actually have pretty low carbon steel. However, as stated, you need to set up at least a semi-detailed fee schedule. If you don't you'll inevitably run into that one coworker who brings you a full set of Shuns in VG-10 or ZDP-189 and expects you to mirror polish them for $5 each.

That's when you cheat and just mirror a micro-bevel but leave the primary at 600-1000 grit. Still just as sharp but doesn't kill your weekend.