Customer Brought a Nice Old Pair of Wiss Scissors to be Sharpened

Today is Sunday, December 29 and I have my mobile knife sharpening business set up at Gene's Fine Foods in Pleasanton, California.

Wiss Scissors

A woman uses these for sewing and wanted them sharpened, which I did. 

Sharpened Wiss Scissors

I decided to take a picture and blog about these scissors -- partly to make sure everybody remembers I sharpen scissors (even nice, old vintage scissors) -- but also to remind everyone that I have a schedule. 

I'm at Gene's every Sunday, as this customer knows -- notice she wrote sharpen (Sunday) on the bag that she used to carry the scissors to remind her I am here every Sunday. 

My schedule is to visit each supermarket each week on the same day each week.

Arno Bernard Knives

Hey Everybody:

I have three Arno Benard knives on hand:

Arno Bernard Knives

Here are the three Arno Bernard knives I currently have. The top and bottom knife have giraffe bone handles, the middle knife has a wart hog ivory handle. All three knives have cape buffalo leather knife sheaths.

Come to my mobile knife sharpening booth and check out these knives — the fit, finish and workmanship is world class!

Just Sharpened Some Beautiful 25 Year Old Dexter/Russell Knives

A professional chef brought me three knives to be sharpened:

Dexter/Russell Knives

He wanted the three knives pictured above sharpened. I liked the knives, told him so — and we chatted. He bought these knives 25 years ago. 

Just Sharpened Dexter/Russell Knives

I told him I thought that they are in excellent condition, and surprised that they are 25 years old. He said he takes care of them, treats them properly — which is obvious.

Wood Handle of a Dexter/Russell Knife

Look at this wood handle — looks like new!

Dexter/Russell Connoisseur Knife

The model of these knives are Dexter/Russell Connoisseur. The Chef's knife is forged, the other two are stamped.

Still Knife Sharpening During the Waning Days of 2013

My mobile knife sharpening business is year round, and this late in December I am still out there working!

Sharpened Knifes Waiting Pickup at Gene's Fine Foods in Pleasanton, California

I took the picture above today while working at Gene's Fine Foods in Pleasanton.

The weather is a bit cold — especially in the morning — but I persevere.

The knife sharpening business is quite busy on the stretch up to Thanksgiving, then it tapers off. This week was a bit slow.

I will take a few days off here and there — come January I am going to go to a knife show, want to see what's new, talk to the factory people, see what I can learn.

Filet Knives for Sale

I have several filet knives for sale on my sale table that I set up while I am doing the mobile knife sharpening.

Filet Knives by Old Hickory and White River Knives

Pictured above are three filet knives that I currently have.

The top knife is a White River filet knife with a cork handle and leather sheath.

The middle knife is a White River filet knife with a gray/black micarta handle. This knife is partly out of the leather sheath — so the leather strap and snap that holds the knife in the sheath is visible. This keeps the knife in the sheath and protected when it is in a tackle box.

The bottom knife is a Old Hickory filet knife — Old Hickory kind of kicks it old school!

The Knife Sharpener's Lending Library

I usually read during the down time between knife sharpening jobs.

'Echo Burning' by Lee Childs

Today I just finished 'Echo Burning' by Lee Childs. 

I have become a big fan of Lee Childs and his Jack Reacher series of books. These are well written, action packed books.

I was not even aware of Lee Childs or this book series, but one day a knife sharpening customer saw me reading and passed a Lee Childs on to me. I read it, loved it — bought a selection and read every one!

I have a couple of customers and a colleague that are readers and have similar tastes — so we have a 'Knife Sharpener's Lending Library' thing going. Works quite nicely!

New Batch of Folding Knives Have Arrived!

I took a picture of the new knives I received yesterday. This picture is not my best work as I did it after dark so no natural light (my favorite light source) but with the stove light that has a lot of hot spots and shadows.

Knife Shipment: Throwing Axe, SOG, Spyderco 

This shipment of knives includes a throwing axe, a Spyderco Domino, a S.O.G. TAC-Mini Automatic, a Spyderco Tenacious and a Boker Epicenter.

Old Hickory Filet Knife

I just got in a filet knife made by Old Hickory.

Old Hickory Filet Knife

The picture above is the Old Hickory Filet knife.

This knife is just under 11" long overall, the blade is just under 6" long.

The Old Hickory filet knife differs from the rest of the Old Hickory line as the blade is stainless steel. The blade is hollow ground, so that the blade thickness tapers down to a sharp, thin edge, it is full tang, with hardwood handles.

Made in the USA, and — like all of the Old Hickory knives — are priced very competitively.

I have on hand many of the Old Hickory knives, all except the filet knife being carbon steel. The knife styles I usually have on hand are their paring, utility, slicer and butcher knives.

Come look me up and check it out!

A Beautifully Cared For Knife Set

A set of Henckel knives were brought to me to be sharpened yesterday.

Henckel Knife Set

I said to the customer "You must take good care of your knives — these knives look really nice." When the customer mentioned that these knives were 25 years old I was astounded! You can't really tell by looking at this photograph, but these knives are in excellent shape. 

Please remember that a knife is a tool, and that the knife edge is fragile. A properly cared for knife will stay sharp longer,  will be a joy to use, and will last longer than a generation.

Boy Scout Camp Knife Estate Sale Find

I seem to not be able to pass up a lonely knife sitting in a box in a dusty garage or wherever...

Boy Scout Camp Knife

I picked up two knives — a giant old carbon steel butcher knife made by Village Blacksmith, and this Boy Scout camp knife.

This knife is made by Ulster in the USA.

Ulster Boy Scout Knife

This is a camp knife, has a blade, can and bottle opener, and an awl or reamer.

Boy Scout Knife

Here is the knife opened.

I decided to clean it up and put it for sale on eBay.

Here is the link to the knife on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/331081347503?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

I just took pictures of the Village Blacksmith knife.

Village Blacksmith Butcher Knife

The coins in the picture are dimes, to show you how large the knife is. Village Blacksmith was located in Watertown, Wisconsin and was in business until the 1960s.

Village Blacksmith Butcher Knife

So, I cleaned this knife up a bit, and now what? I have a lot of knives, I guess I will put this knife in a box with a bunch of his friends. *sigh*

Sharpened Some Knives and Some 'Weapon Systems'

I was brought these to be sharpened last Friday morning at Zanotto's Family Market in Willow Glen:

Sharpened Knives

I use the term 'Weapon Systems' -- as, besides the two kitchen knives -- there is an military themed bayonet knife by Ontario Knife and a 'Combat Smatchet' made by Boker. 

Just another day in the knife sharpening business.

More Folding Knives Have Just Entered the Building

I have received a box of knives.

Ontario Old Hickory Carbon Steel Knives, Ontario RAT Model 1, Tactical Stocking

I have a set of Old Hickory carbon steel knives, two Boker knives, some 'tactical Christmas stockings,' and some other odd bits here.

I will open up and have them with me on my next sharpening stop — stay tuned!

'Tactical' Styled Christmas Stocking

Here is a photo of a 'Tactical' stocking. I have six in for the holidays! These Christmas stockings have military or tactical styling touches: MOLLE straps, buckles, industrial grade zippers, military style carrying handle!

Ontario Knife Randall RAT Model 1

Also received one Ontario Knife Randall Knife RAT Folder, Model 1. The Randall RAT knife is a fairly large, fills the hand knife. This knife feels well built and smooth opening.

Once I finish eating all the turkey and pumpkin pie I will post up the two other knives. Both are Bokers, both slim every day carry size, one has a nice vintage looking G10 handle, the other has a damascus blade.

  

I Sharpened this Customer's Knife Collection

I received these knives to sharpen while I was set up to sharpen knives at Lunardi's Bascom. I sharpen knives (and garden tools, scissors) at Lunardi's Bascom every Monday, 10am to dusk.

Just Sharpened Knife Set

I make note of it because her knives are not a matched set. This set is about as varied as they get. There is no need to buy a matching block of knives.  Sometimes a block of knives is great, they all match and everybody is happy. But on the flip side — sometimes you might prefer a certain chef's knife, or maybe you receive a knife as a gift. Knives are knives — get and use what you prefer.

She has a large Forschner chef's knife, a Global Santoku, another Forschner (the only repeat) boning or utility knife, a german paring knife marked Soligen (I have never heard of this brand), a Wusthof paring knife, and a Kuhon Rikon paring knife.

By my count we have a Swiss, Japanese, Swiss, German, German and Swiss.

Visit my website mobile knife.BIZ by clicking here.

UPS Just Brought More Arno Bernard Knives!

I just received four more Arno Bernard knives!

I received three different knives, in two different sizes, with two different handle materials.

The Bush Baby series are the smallest of the Arno Bernard knives, the Scavenger are the next size larger.

All Arno Bernard knives have Cape Buffalo leather sheaths included.

I Have a Bush Baby Squirrel with warthog ivory handles, a Bush Baby Dassie with giraffe bone handle, a Scavenger Wasp with warthog ivory and a Scavenger Wasp with giraffe bone.

Arno Bernard Knives

This picture is of the four new Arno Bernard knives in their sheaths. The knife at the top of the picture is a Wasp with giraffe bone handle scales. The Wasp is in the Scavenger series. The next knife down is a Dassie (Bush Baby series) with giraffe bone. Then another Wasp with warthog ivory. The bottom knife is a Squirrel (Bush Baby) with warthog ivory.

Arno Bernard Knives

Pictured above is the same Arno Bernard knives outside of the sleeves. I rearranged the knives by size — which I should have done from the get go.

Arno Bernard Scavenger Wasp Knife with Warthog Ivory Handle

Here is the Wasp with warthog ivory handle.

Arno Bernard Wasp with Giraffe Bone Handle

The Wasp with giraffe bone.

Arno Bernard Squirrel with Warthog Ivory Handle

This is the Squirrel with warthog ivory.

Arno Bernard Dassie with Giraffe Bone

Last — maybe my favorite knife is the Dassie. The Dassie is a beautiful little knife! This Dassie has giraffe bone handle scales.

Tomorrow is Friday, and this Friday will be my first day showing these knifes. Come find me and check them out!

Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm I am at Zanotto's Willow Glen, then I am off to Zanotto's Rose Garden, I'm there from about 2pm to 6pm. Visit Zanotto's site by clicking here.

The Glamorous Life of a Mobile Knife Sharpener

Setting up and spending time in the parking lot of a supermarket is not as glamorous as one would think...

Today would be a good example of that statement.

I took off for Lunardi's San Bruno to set up my mobile knife sharpening business for the day. I am at Lunardi's San Bruno every Wednesday.

Fall Leaves in Campbell, California

A real rainy day will usually cancel at Lunardi's San Bruno, as the setup is in the parking lot and there is no shelter from the elements. But — leaving Campbell in the morning the day seemed like it would be at least OK. Check out the picture above that I took on the way out of Campbell. Another reason that I headed out is that we are close to Thanksgiving — one holiday when everyone wants sharp knives — and that I will miss the following Wednesday (Lunardi's wants the parking lot for customers only the day before Thanksgiving) — so off I went.

Rain Clouds on San Bruno Weather Map

Well, it didn't take long for the rain to hit. Look at the weather map I took off my phone. I was set up in the parking lot, and was busy from the git-go! Sharpening knives you literally have your nose to the grindstone — so I didn't at first notice how much rain was coming down...

Next thing I know, I see my new knives that I have offered for sale (in cardboard display boxes) turning to mush, my extension cords under water, and everything wet. I put away what I could, raised my tools and power cords off the ground and kept at it.

Then my solar setup quit. Experience told me that my battery could run the sharpening machines for a day without getting run down. Well, it didn't. Perhaps it was not fully charged, maybe the battery has aged, I don't know.

I had anticipated this (but not quite this early in the winter season) so I had already bought a second battery to have on hand to supplement the existing battery. I didn't think I would need it this early in the season as I said, so I had just the battery — no way to put it into the circuit.

So — here I am, wet, customers waiting — holding this spare battery and trying to decide what to do.

Deep Cycle Battery Jury-Rigged

I decided the un-fussed side of the one Anderson plug that I had on hand would work for one pole, and a file would be just the trick for the other pole!

I clamped the Anderson plug wire between the two black terminals, wedged the file under the red terminal and, pressing it down to make contact, clamped the file so that it bridged the two red terminals.

Success!

My View of Lunardi's San Bruno's Rainy Parking Lot

Here is my view out over the knife sharpening machine.

Knife Sharpening at Rainy Lunardi's San Bruno

So — even though it was a rainy, cold day — it was busy, and since I was bundled up I was not cold. I enjoyed the day!

Cuts and Knife Sharpening are Fast Friends

Well, I cut myself again... Being a knife sharpener it comes with the territory. In this instance I was showing a shopper how to close a folding knife that I was demonstrating, and got sloppy and cut myself. Again.

If the cut is bad enough to need a bandaid — then I get one from my tool box. I always keep them handy.

My Poor Cut Pinkie Finger

In the cut pictured above I did need a bandaid. But, after the cut healed a bit, stopped bleeding and all — it still needed help. Being right on the knuckle I kept re-injuring it and all. 

I kept a bandaid on it for a bit, but that is a bit cumbersome, and when I load and unload my knife sharpening tools and equipment (especially in this cold weather) I like to wear gloves and the bandaid just does not cut it, the bandaid makes it hard to put on and take off gloves. 

This is where the micro perforated tape comes to the rescue!

Micro perforated tape works great to protect a cut — a cut that has stopped bleeding. It sticks well, allows the skin to breathe, and does not add bulk. And is rather neat looking, at least when the tape is new. In this photograph the tape is rather worse for wear, and is due to be retired...

New Arno Bernard Knives Arriving This Week in Campbell, California!

The San Francisco Bay Area is about to be blessed with a new supply of Arno Bernard knives!

Arno Bernard Knives

Here is a picture of my last shipment of Arno Bernard knives.

I expect four more knives to be delivered my door in Campbell, California this Wednesday the 19th (or thereabouts!).

Arno Bernard Knife with Warthog Ivory Handle

My last shipment of Arno Bernard knives included this knife — a Meerkat with a warthog ivory handle.

Arno Bernard Dassie with Giraffe Bone Handle

This is a Dassie with giraffe bone handles. The giraffe bone is probably my favorite handle material.

My new shipment of Arno Bernard knives — if my notes are correct (that's a real stretch), and our friends at UPS don't put my shipment through the dreaded Boxinator — should arrive at my doorstep containing a Squirrel with warthog ivory, a Wasp with warthog ivory, a Wasp with giraffe bone, and a Dassie with giraffe bone.

I imagine — since I'm off Thursdays — that Friday will be the first knife sharpening day that I will have these Arne Bernard's on display! Fridays I'm at Zanotto's Family Markets — so come look me up and check the knives out!

Friday mornings I'm at Zanotto's Willow Glen, afternoons Zanotto's Rose Garden, here is a link to Zanotto's.

MAC Knives

I dug up these MAC knives.

Two MAC Knives

Someone hit something hard to do this damage to these MAC knives.

A knife needs to be thin and sharp to be able to cut like we like — but the thinner and sharper a knife is the more fragile the knife is. 

Everyone has seen pictures of artists sculpting marble using chisels and hammers, and everyone has seen someone shaving. 

A chisel is a strong thick instrument with a relatively blunt edge, a razor is a very thin instrument with a sharp edge. A razor — designed for cutting hair would not stand a chance used on stone, and a chisel would most likely make a fine mess of a nice, ripe tomato.

My point is to use knives properly. A fine, sharp knife can not be used to beat on hard substances such as frozen foods, bones and such.

A sharp knife is a joy to use — so protect the edge. Sharp is fragile. Use the right tool for the right job — using your knives properly will keep them sharp and cutting beautifully for a long time.

Kershaw Piston Folding Pocket Knife

Let me describe the Kershaw Piston.

Kershaw Piston Closed

Here is the Piston closed. This knife is a well made, large knife with a nice simple design. Black aluminum handles, flipper and thumb stud, and tapped holes for repositioning the clip are visible in the picture. 

Kershaw Piston Folding Knife

Back view showing the clip. There is a lanyard attachment post that is not visible. 

Kershaw Piston Opened

Here is the Kershaw Piston partially opened. The knife is assisted opening: apply pressure to either the thumb stud or the flipper and the blade snaps open. 

This knife has a solid feel, feels nice in the hand. 

Made in the USA. 

Boker Squail

Maybe my new favorite!

Boker Squail

Boker Squail. 

This knife is a big, sturdy, beautiful knife. This picture shows the knife closed, the textured G10 handle, and the thumb hole and lanyard attachment. 

Boker Squail Folding Pocket Knife

Other side, with the pocket clip. The handle is the gray G10, and two titanium pieces. 

Boker Squail Opened

Boker Squail partially opened. With the thumb hole and with friction reducing bearings, this knife opens smooth and sweet!

Boker Squail Folding Knife Fully Opened

Here is the Squail open and ready! The blade locks open with a liner lock. 

White Handled Wusthof Kitchen Knives

It seems that I have had a run of people bringing white handled Wusthof kitchen knives to me to be sharpened.

Wusthof Knives with White Handles

Pictured here is a set of Wusthof knives that I sharpened at Lunardi's San Bruno. The owner wanted white handles, she said that white handles would look best in her (at the time) recently remodeled kitchen.

Spyderco Domino Folding Pocket Knife

Just got the way cool Spyderco Domino knife!

Spyderco Domino Knife, Closed

Here is the Domino closed. This view you see the thumb opening hole, the flipper lever opposite the thumb hole, the lanyard hole, the handle material, and the threaded holes to be able to re-position the pocket clip.

The handle material (on  this side) is carbon fiber / G10 composite.

Spyderco Domino Titanium Side

Here is the Spyderco Domino closed, showing the titanium side of the handle. Visible is the lock — the titanium scale (with a steel insert) serves to lock the blade open (and as a detent to hold the blade closed).

Spyderco Opened, Titanium Side

The Domino opened. This blade profile — with the thumb hole — is the classic Spyderco look.

Spyderco Domino Opening

Here partially opened. Beautiful knife, and it opens beautifully — the bearings and bushing are designed to give this knife a silky smooth operation. Gotta get this knife!

Spyderco Domino Knives

Here is Spyderco's photograph of the Domino.