Tell Me The Truth

I know of two people that sharpen knives/scissors in my town. One is the guy who visits my LQS every Wednesday to do machine repairs. He charges $1 per inch I believe - very cheap. The other is at the farmer's market downtown and are there about once a month. They are more expensive. Both sharpen onsite and return the items that day.

I think it would be a good idea. I don't know how busy he would be, but if he went to each fabric store and arranged to do the service once a month, that would be nice.

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Originally Posted by JCY

I have no clue how to help you. We used to have a man in our town who did that kind of work, but he retired ages ago. In our throw-away society, some people probably would just spend $ to buy a new pr. of scissors rather than pay to have them sharpened. I sharpen my own kitchen knives.

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I was going to post the same thing. The reason the sharpening people travel to quilt shows and such, is probably the only way to make a good income. Is your husband already proficient with the trade? You can actually ruin what your sharpening if you don't know what your doing. I think you would have to put a whole lot of time and effort into this concept within this throw away society.

People throw away because finding an affordable sharpener is difficult. Why not, if the sharpening costs more than replacement? Charge less and do it well, and there would be more business than you can handle.

I definitely would pay for someone to sharpen my knives and scissors.

Here's my two cents:
1. Knives are always in need of sharpening. The local Sur la Table does it for $5 each. Just a way to think about price.
2. If he can get in with LQS, that will increase business. Do homework to find out if the shops in your area already have someone they work with or if they would like someone.
3. At the farmer's market in our town, there is a guy who will do it on the spot or you can make an appointment to drop off at his house.
4. Toggpine's suggestion about clippers is a good one. This would tap into animal groomers, stylists, agriculture, etc.

Good luck!

Try looking under shears rather than scissors. I just found a mobile service in town. Sometimes an older owner of an any kind of sharpening service will also do scissors and knives.

I just use Fiskars and Fiskars makes a sharpener for their products. Works well on the $1 cheap scissors you buy for the rest of the family.
Otherwise, a rotary cutter.

The mat cutter uses a special blade, so you just buy a new blade. Same for Exactos.

Research is key here, and all of the aforementioned suggestions are great. We have two folks in my area that do sharpening one for scissors/knives,,the other specializes in clippers for sheep, show stock, groomers, etc. both are very reasonable and work out of their homes, or the Farmer's markets. Most of the LQS' have one guys cards, and he keeps pretty busy and only charges $5 per item. Skill is key here, as mentioned,. Wishing you and your Husband the best of luck in any decision you make.

We have a gentleman in our small town that does sharpening of many things. He does saw blades for woodworking, ice skates, scissors and ? It is a side job for him, but it is handy for those living in town. I don't know about the charge, but my husband was pleased with the price for sharpening his saw blades.

What about lawn mower blades? He could give neighbors flyers, or just go door to door with the ability to do it right then and there. If someone knocked on my door and offered to sharpen my mower blades, I'd take them up on it. It would be so much more convenient than taking them in to the store, having to wait, and then returning.

Here is my opinion

Is this just going to be a hobby or required income?
How much of an investment in sharpening tools, insurance, and other costs to start the business?
How long (many) scissors etc will it cost you to recoup your initial investment?
If you were able to go to quilt shops, salons would you be able recoup enough for your time and travel?

I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do. Hubby and I are looking to do something as well because he is sick of working in automotive.

He just said he would pay to have his chainsaws sharpened.