Hi Guest, Welcome to the quilting forums, register now —or—

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 23
Like Tree3Likes

Thread: Tell Me The Truth

  1. #1
    janbee is offline Senior Member
    Applique Angel

    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    302
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Tell Me The Truth

    My husband is considering retirement but wants to have a part-time business. He is considering scissor and knife sharpening. In our area it is difficult to find someone to sharpen scissors and knives. There used to be a man who would have a booth at the quilt shows but he must have retired. He always was very busy. I know that I love really sharp scissors and knives. Do you have access to someone who sharpens scissors and knives? If so, what do they charge? Do you take them to a sharpening shop or do they come to your lqs or quilt show? Thanks for your input.

  2. #2
    JCY's Avatar
    JCY
    JCY is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    2,503
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    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.

  3. #3
    jjkaiser's Avatar jjkaiser is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    South Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    1,136
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    Well I sharpen my own knives but not as often as I should bc they are pretty dull. I would love to take them someplace, but then if that means leaving them at the shop, that would be a problem being without them. I went to a quilt show a month ago and darn forgot to take my little stork scissors with for sharpening and they are so dull I use them all the time. I am so mad at myself. Now I don't know how, when or where I can get that done and I live in a big city.

    So IMO your husband should seriously consider this...in a perfect world he could make house calls then not have rent to pay and his customers would get their items back right away. They could pay him in cash. Tell him go for it & good luck!

  4. #4
    stationarymom is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    grafton,ma
    Posts
    4,117
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    I would pay to have someone sharpen my knives if I had someone in the area for sure.
    Joan

  5. #5
    starlover's Avatar starlover is offline Senior Member
    The Guild President

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    529
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    We have a gentleman who comes to our local Hancocks once a month and sharpens scissors for $5. I think he's still offering the service? Haven't needed it in a while so I haven't checked in the last year. I use my rotary cutter so much that the fabric scissors are rarely used. I have no idea how many people brought their scissors in?

    We also had a store in the mall that sharpened knives and scissors. That section of the mall doesn't have my stores, so I'm not sure if it's still there either. Seems like they charged $8, but I could be wrong.
    Last edited by starlover; April 4th, 2015 at 12:37 AM.

  6. #6
    tamsterg7 is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    St. Louis Missouri
    Posts
    2,299
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    The local Hancocks has a man who come into yhe storemperiodically to sharpen scissors. They usually post a sign about a month ahead with dates. I haven't personally used his services (as evidenced by my dull scisors), but I think he charged about $12 for regulars and more for pinking shears. Another revenue source is beauticians. I know therevis a guy who comes to my gals shop and does all theirs on the spot. Good luck, it sounds like a great idea!

  7. #7
    bubba's Avatar bubba is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Tacoma WA
    Posts
    8,936
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    MM sharpens our knives at home. I have never had my scissors sharpened, but there is a man who goes to the shop and sharpens them every once in a while, maybe every month? But I don't know how much he charges.
    Grey Lady likes this.
    pat.

    No rain....no rainbows!



  8. #8
    Loriar is offline Junior Member
    Shiny Thimble

    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    1
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    At my quilt store there is business card for scissors sharpening or knives. The price starts at $5.50 to $15.00. He picks them up at the shop and normally returns them within a day or two.
    I'm in Oregon.

  9. #9
    redcaboose1717's Avatar redcaboose1717 is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Michigan Center, Michigan
    Posts
    1,049
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    My dad thought this might be a good idea as well.....he purchased scissor ( I don't think that was all he was going to sharpen ) sharpening business....BEFORE actually thought this over. I think JCY is correct as far as living in a "Throw Away " society. Most people normally replace whatever is needed to be replaced instead of repairing it ( themselves ) or hiring someone to repair it for them. Sometimes its a lot cheaper just to buy new than fix.....
    If I were your DH, I would see what else he might find to for a part-time job. Doe he like to wallpaper or paint ? My BIL started a small wallpapering business, and it has grown by leaps and bounds ! In our fast paced society nowadays, many people just don't have the time to do their own wallpapering or painting, and of course there's a lot of people that would much rather hire someone to do certain things.
    Another friend started a small lawn care ( summer ) and snow removal business in the winter. There's a gentleman that lives on the next street over from us that has a small lawn care / snow removal business. This man is still working full-time but will soon retire. He has been doing to the lawn care / snow removal for about 2 or 3 yrs now. I have a friend whose father builds wood furniture for people since he's been retired. On the other hand, some retired people ( women & men ) work part-time for BIG BOX stores and the like.......
    In closing I would really research this idea that husband is thinking about etc.

    Jacqueline ( Sugar ) Dorer-Russell
    http:\\www.sugarssmilinpapercrafts.BlogSpot.com

  10. #10
    toggpine's Avatar toggpine is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Lakebay, WA, USA
    Posts
    4,536
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Tell Me The Truth

    I know it's a bit off track, but if he decides to take up sharpening, he might also try to figure out how to do clipper blades. The kind that dog groomers use. This would make him useful to beauticians beyond just the scissors. If he can figure out the livestock shows, he might be able to set up a booth and sharpen on-site. When we find a talented sharpener for our blades, we will send all of our friends their way. I usually have a couple sets that need to be sharpened at all times.
    Be who you are and say what you feel
    because those who mind don't matter,
    and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

    http://www.toggpine.wordpress.com

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •