Hi all, thanks for operating this great site.
I am new to sharpening. I have a manual system now, and find it very therapeutic.
I am retired and want to start a small sharpening business. I live in a pretty well-developed part of Tennessee, but there are no local sharpeners.
I will be getting the T8 kitchen bundle and a few other parts for it.
Will the Standard Grindstone SG-250 be suitable for most / all knives?
Do you take pics of the knives before and after sharpening?
Do you have the customer sign any type of form?
How do you keep different customer knives? For instance, if five people drop off several knives in one day, do you keep them in bins, tag them with stickers...
What billing system do you use?
I know some will be tempted to say, I should not consider this as a business option if I am so green. That may be true. I will practice a lot with our knives and my friends' knives. I will buy knives I don't already have, like a cleaver, and hone my skills (dad pun). I have worked with my hands a lot and am very comfortable with tools.
I am looking for help in getting better.
Thank you
I do concierge sharpening as I don't want to have a job. I limit my customers so that I don't have a backlog of things to work on and typically finish a customers knives by the next day. The SG-250 works for virtually all of the knives brought to me. Only the super steel knives pose a problem and for those I have CBN. When I was starting out honing was the most challenging step and I found that I get superior results using guided honing rather than freehand.
The only time I take pictures is when I am asked to repair a knife with significant damage. Also be careful not to reshape or damage the bolster without written permission. Most users want their knives to look pretty and do not appreciate the change. This is the only time I would have them sign something. So far no one has asked for a bolster modification.
I wrap them in an old towel to protect edges.
Cash and Carry and once in a great while barter.
Quote from: John_B on June 25, 2026, 06:27:36 PMI do concierge sharpening as I don't want to have a job. I limit my customers so that I don't have a backlog of things to work on and typically finish a customers knives by the next day. The SG-250 works for virtually all of the knives brought to me. Only the super steel knives pose a problem and for those I have CBN. When I was starting out honing was the most challenging step and I found that I get superior results using guided honing rather than freehand.
The only time I take pictures is when I am asked to repair a knife with significant damage. Also be careful not to reshape or damage the bolster without written permission. Most users want their knives to look pretty and do not appreciate the change. This is the only time I would have them sign something. So far no one has asked for a bolster modification.
I wrap them in an old towel to protect edges.
Cash and Carry and once in a great while barter.
Great advice, thank you!!
Quote from: Square Wheels on June 25, 2026, 05:18:40 PMHi all, thanks for operating this great site.
I am new to sharpening. I have a manual system now, and find it very therapeutic.
I am retired and want to start a small sharpening business. I live in a pretty well-developed part of Tennessee, but there are no local sharpeners.
I will be getting the T8 kitchen bundle and a few other parts for it.
Will the Standard Grindstone SG-250 be suitable for most / all knives?
- From experience, yes. And most knives you receive will probably require lots of reprofiling. A great time saver
Do you take pics of the knives before and after sharpening?
- Yes, in the event of disputes where the customer claims I've damaged their items
Do you have the customer sign any type of form?
- Nope, but I do collect names and phone numbers for updates
How do you keep different customer knives? For instance, if five people drop off several knives in one day, do you keep them in bins, tag them with stickers...
- I have a small laminated card that I write order information on, and it follows the item until the customer collects it. Advised to have a master order number, and associated item numbers so you don't kill yourself with record keeping
What billing system do you use?
- Electronic bank transfers and cash
I know some will be tempted to say, I should not consider this as a business option if I am so green. That may be true. I will practice a lot with our knives and my friends' knives. I will buy knives I don't already have, like a cleaver, and hone my skills (dad pun). I have worked with my hands a lot and am very comfortable with tools.
I am looking for help in getting better.
Thank you
Quote from: Royale on June 26, 2026, 11:54:45 AMQuote from: Square Wheels on June 25, 2026, 05:18:40 PMHi all, thanks for operating this great site.
I am new to sharpening. I have a manual system now, and find it very therapeutic.
I am retired and want to start a small sharpening business. I live in a pretty well-developed part of Tennessee, but there are no local sharpeners.
I will be getting the T8 kitchen bundle and a few other parts for it.
Will the Standard Grindstone SG-250 be suitable for most / all knives?
- From experience, yes. And most knives you receive will probably require lots of reprofiling. A great time saver
Do you take pics of the knives before and after sharpening?
- Yes, in the event of disputes where the customer claims I've damaged their items
Do you have the customer sign any type of form?
- Nope, but I do collect names and phone numbers for updates
How do you keep different customer knives? For instance, if five people drop off several knives in one day, do you keep them in bins, tag them with stickers...
- I have a small laminated card that I write order information on, and it follows the item until the customer collects it. Advised to have a master order number, and associated item numbers so you don't kill yourself with record keeping
What billing system do you use?
- Electronic bank transfers and cash
I know some will be tempted to say, I should not consider this as a business option if I am so green. That may be true. I will practice a lot with our knives and my friends' knives. I will buy knives I don't already have, like a cleaver, and hone my skills (dad pun). I have worked with my hands a lot and am very comfortable with tools.
I am looking for help in getting better.
Thank you
Thank you!