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.