Knife Sharpening Business

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shlchurch

FNG
Joined
May 11, 2015
Messages
21
Location
Silverdale Wa
I have been debating starting a knife sharpening business to get some extra income for gear and other wants/needs. I am currently in the Marines stationed on Camp Pendleton. I would be sharpening knives with the Wicked Edge Sharpening System which is awesome. Just trying to get the plan worked out. Here are some of the questions that I have.

What would you pay to have a knife sharpened. Fixed and Folding blades?
How would you pick up and deliver? This is the main part that has me stumped. I don't have the time to be driving to a house to sharpen knives. I would like to collect them some how and have them back the next day.

Any and all input you guys have would help.

Thanks
 
When Im feeling lazy, and take all my knives in to be sharpened, they charge $5 for fixed per knife. I think that is super cheap and would prob pay $10 if I needed one done.
 
It would depend on the type of metal being sharpened, and weather or not the bevel just needs touched up or reset. For example, resetting the bevel on some S90V would take MUCH longer than on a typical soft metal like on a Buck knife. At least that's how the place I used to send mine to charged. I ended up buying myself a Wicked Edge system and do my knives myself now. You could really bang out some blades though with the Wicked Edge system. I'm guessing a few knives per hour.
 
A few years ago I passed thru a place where a guy was sharpening knives at a lodge (fishing/hunting/ sightseeing) He was out on the deck as you went in. Sharpened while you eat , kindof thing. He charged $5 a knife. Dont know if that might be an option.
 
I agree about how many knives can be banged out. I have been researching and found that a lot of guys have a mobile business. I just cant do that with my job. I was thinking about having a link up spot or 4 on the base and give time when I will be there to pick up. I would redistribute in the same manner.
 
If i remember you just left your knife and then came out picked it up and payed, I would suggest a stub number so someone get sticking fingers for a knife they like
 
I don't either. That's why I bought my system. There are many Marines that want a sharp knife but just don't have the knowledge or the tools to get it done.
 
When I was in the military in the mid 90's one of the training commands I attended had routine knife inspections were a dull blade meant the suck factor increased above the average already high bar of suck. One of the other guys there had a side business of sharpening and he used a lansky set up turning out some razor sharp edges for $10. When you are short on time and need a knife ready this was nice. I happily used the service a couple times and would have paid more. I now have more time to enjoy sharpening and have become proficient at sharpening my blades and broadheads with an added pride in my work. I dont see me using a service at this time in my life but $15-$20 is reasonable IMO. Huntsman22, I am sure if modern day warfare involved routine knife fighting our service men would prioritize blades more. The reality is that being proficient at accurately putting lead downrange and caring for your primary weapon ( not a knife) is what is stressed for good reason. Knives although sexy dont get a whole lot of attention and alot of guys would rather go to the beach and chase chics on their off time than sit in the barracks and sharpen a blade.

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That is actually a great cottage business. We are a community of 100K and had a small shop here as long as I can remember. He would sharpen chainsaw blades, mower blades, knives...everything. Ran a car around to all the restaurants, butcher shops etc and picked up their knives on a contract. Made a living for his family.

He sold some knives, polish, stones etc also in the front.

Her had quite a little shop with all the wet grinders, angle jigs etc. His dad would come in and help. Shop is gone now and replaced by another that is not as good but shows the need is there.

Good luck!
 
There's a restaurant supply store near me that charges $5/knife, free if you bought it there. I asked if they hand sharpened or used a machine and he said that they used some $3k professional machine. I usually sharpen my own knives, but sometimes I would like to have it professionally done once a year to keep the profile accurate.
 
huntsman22 said:
Personally, I don't pay someone to do what I can do myself.....
Click to expand...

I think those of us who know how to sharpen a knife properly are a dying breed.
In todays world of instant gratification so many guys buy those knives with disposable blades because they can't take the time to learn how to sharpen a knife and it's so much easier to just swap out the blade. Easier being the key word.
 
Mjm316 said:
Dang! A place locally charges $3 per blade and sharpens it while you wait. Typically at the gun shows there are guys that do it for $1 per blade. 15-20 seems excessively steep to me.....
Click to expand...
That guy at a gun show is doing as a means to get you to his booth and advertise for his business. How many can a person do in an hour at a gun show? I mean let's go one every 5 minutes. I think that's on the high side but that means his time is worth 12 bucks an hour. Does that sound worth your time? Or the $3 guy. Again still probably not his primary business right? He offers it as a way to get you in the door and while you wait, maybe something grabs your attention and you buy it. I mean cabelas offers the service for free. So by that, that dude at the gun show is pretty steep.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
 
I am thinking about putting some flyers up in the office and going from there. Guys can drop them off at work and have them back the same day or next morning. I figure doing this will be better than having to have pick up and drop off locations. I am hoping word will spread and more business will be coming my way.
 
$1 per inch is what i usually see. for kitchen knives.

but hunting knives are usually some fixed amount..$5?
 
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