How to Start Your Own Business Sharpening Knives
An African proverb says: "Whether the knife falls on the melon or the melon on the knife, the melon suffers." While this is certainly witty, it does not tell the complete story. There are scores of people with dull knives who either do not know how to sharpen one or will damage the knife when they try. Sharpening knives rather than discarding them in a modern society that is trying to learn to be frugal and protect natural resources makes sense for many people. Opening a business in this field has potential but takes some practice.
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Things You'll Need
- Natural water sharpening stones (coarse, medium and fine grits)
- Diamond stone
- Lubricant
- Stone fixer
- Traditional steel and diamond steel sharpening rods or hones
- Electric sharpener
- Belt sander with wheel (optional)
- Shipping supplies
Instructions
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Establish your business entity type. Many similar businesses utilize a limited liability company to shield assets from liability and reduce taxes. Consult your tax adviser and attorney to decide what type is right for your specific situation.
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Set up an Employer Identification Number at IRS.gov. This is like a Social Security number for a business and allows you to hire employees and get a business checking account. File your business with the state secretary of state's office and local offices for necessary business permits.
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Contact your insurer and verify types and amounts of liability and other insurance products you will need to operate a knife sharpening business. Explain that you will be performing your service for customers in your shop and by mail.
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Consult with shipping companies to arrange a bulk shipping program. Purchase shipping supplies if necessary.
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Purchase a set of knife sharpening stones, lubricant and a stone fixer that flattens stones that become concave. Arkansas natural stones and synthetic diamond stones are popular for most knives. Purchase at least fine, medium and coarse grits, although extra-fine grit stones provide the cleanest edge, and practice with each perfecting your skills.
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Purchase sharpening rods in traditional and diamond types. Practice with the rod and compare your edge with using a stone. Many use a rod after a stone to remove debris and provide a finishing touch.
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Purchase a bench belt sander with a sanding disk on the side if you plan to make your own knives. They are not practical as a sharpening item for commercial application but work well for putting an original edge on a knife.
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Market your craft at gun shows, fishing expos, cooking seminars and similar meetings. Prepare a mobile tool set to perform on-site sharpening at restaurants and other places that utilize knives every day and cannot perform business functions without knives.
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Sell your service through social media and a strong website. Some offer professional sharpening through the mail. These businesses charge by the inch sharpened. Develop a shipping procedure or contract a local shipper.
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Tips & Warnings
Arrange service contracts to perform regular sharpening for businesses customers.
Add other items to sharpen to diversify your mix such as axes and lawn mower blades.
Develop your skill before beginning this business.
Some operators prefer protective gloves when sharpening.
References
- Serious Seats: Knife Skills: How to Sharpen a Knife; J. Kenji Lopez-Alt; April 2010
- Cooks Illustrated: Sharpening Knives by Hand; Matthew Card
- Knife Sharpeners Review: Most Demanded Types of Knife or Knives Sharpener
- Buck Knives: Knife Sharpening
- Mastersmith: Sharpening Knives; Dave Ellis
- Wall Street Journal: Do Knife Sharpeners Make the Cut?; Nancy Matsumoto; January 2010
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
