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In this episode of the Knife and Tool Sharpening Podcast, Matt sits down with Ken Lunders of Maritime Sharpening in Halifax to talk about his lifelong journey with knives and sharpening.

Ken’s story starts the way many sharpeners do — fascinated with his father’s Swiss Army knife as a kid. From sharpening on oil stones and concrete as a teenager, to learning metallurgy as a diesel mechanic, to eventually building a sharpening business in Canada, Ken’s path shows how curiosity and persistence can turn a simple skill into a craft.

We also dive into:

• How Ken learned sharpening before YouTube and online communities
• Why understanding burr removal and geometry changed everything
• The difference between stones, belt grinders, and diamond plates
• Why beginners should start simple instead of chasing expensive tools
• The power of community and mentorship in accelerating your learning
• Why sharpening businesses don’t have to compete with each other

Ken also shares advice for anyone thinking about getting into sharpening:

Whether you're a professional sharpener, a knife enthusiast, or someone thinking about starting a sharpening business, this conversation is packed with insights from someone who has spent decades learning and refining the craft.

Learn more and join the community at guildofsharpeners.org

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What’s actually working in a sharpening business right now?

In this update, I’m sharing what we’re seeing inside the Guild of Professional Sharpeners—from charging premium rates and adding high-value services, to building real connections that help you grow faster (without doing it alone).

We cover:

• How sharpeners are increasing their rates
• A “spa treatment” upsell that customers love
• What’s happening inside our weekly Guild calls
• Lessons from real sharpening businesses in the field
• Behind-the-scenes of building out a new shop and adding a straight knife grinder

If you’re building a sharpening business—or thinking about starting one—this will give you a clear picture of what’s working right now.

Join the Guild of Professional Sharpeners:
→ https://members.guildofsharpeners.org/

Subscribe to the “From the Bench” Newsletter (monthly insights + real-world strategies):
→ https://guildofsharpeners.kit.com/b95b5ecf74

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

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James and I go way back—he was one of the early guys I taught in-person, and his story is a big part of why the Guild exists today.

In this episode, James shares how he built (and rebuilt) his sharpening business in a way that supports his life instead of consuming it. We talk about the early days, learning the fundamentals (yes—the burr), why Google Business can be the difference between “crickets” and instant customers, and what changed when he restarted after a multi-year break.

We also get real about farmer’s markets: what they pay, what they cost in time and energy, and why James is intentionally throttling back to protect weekends with his son.

In this episode:

• Starting a sharpening business with under ~$500 in gear
• Why Google Business can outperform “traditional marketing”
• Restarting after years away (and the new Google verification headaches)
• Farmer’s market economics: $100–$600 days—and the hidden tradeoffs
• Simple pricing that customers actually understand
• Building community through the Guild (and why it matters)

If you’re building a sharpening business (or thinking about it), this one is a reality check and a permission slip to design it your way.

Option B — a little more punchy / story-driven

James started in software, found sharpening through a podcast, and took a leap into a business he could build with his hands—and on his own terms.

Then life changed. He put sharpening on the shelf for years… and came back to it later with the skills intact—but marketing and customer flow totally different.

We talk about what it really means to build a business that serves you: why farmer’s markets can be great money and still not worth the weekend cost, how James simplified pricing to avoid confusing customers, and how the Guild became the kind of community you can’t replace with random social media clips.

This episode is for anyone who wants to grow—without becoming a slave to “busy.”

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In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Harris of Breckenridge Knife & Tool Sharpening, recorded live from his shop in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Steve shares how his retail store, Off the Slopes, naturally led him into professional knife and tool sharpening after customers kept asking a simple question: “Can you sharpen my knife?” What started as a value-add quickly turned into a thriving sharpening business serving homeowners, professional chefs, flower shops, groomers, and more — all in a small resort town.

We talk about Steve’s origin story, how joining the Guild of Professional Sharpeners jump-started his skills and confidence, and why he approaches sharpening with a service-first mindset — focusing on quality, value, and sharpening to the customer’s real use case. We also dive into sharpening as a powerful retirement or second-career path, how to shape the business around your life, and what it takes to support customers through both knife sales and long-term sharpening care.

If you’re a working sharpener, thinking about starting a sharpening business, or curious how a real knife shop operates behind the scenes, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

🔗 LINKS
• Off the Slopes (Steve’s retail shop):
https://www.offtheslopes.com/

• Breckenridge Knife & Tool Sharpening:
https://breckenridge-knife-and-tool-sharpening-46724128.hubspotpagebuilder.com/en-us/

• Guild of Professional Sharpeners:
https://guildofsharpeners.org

🎧 The Knife and Tool Sharpening Podcast is made possible by the Guild of Professional Sharpeners — a community of knife and tool sharpening business owners who help each other achieve success as each individual defines it. Learn more at https://guildofsharpeners.org

🧭 TOPICS COVERED

• Steve’s origin story: from retail knives to sharpening
• Service-first business philosophy
• Sharpening as a retirement or second career
• Quality vs. value in sharpening work
• Serving high-end chefs and everyday customers
• Using the Guild map to refer customers nationwide (and worldwide)
• Lessons from running a knife-focused retail shop

👍 If this episode helped you, like, subscribe, and leave a comment:
What question do you have about starting or growing a sharpening business?

#knifesharpening #sharpeningbusiness #knives #guildofprofessionalsharpeners #breckenridge

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In this episode of the Knife and Tool Sharpening Podcast, I sit down with Phil Van Lanen, owner of Van Lanen Sharpening, for a thoughtful, honest conversation about craft, service, and building a sharpening business the right way.

Phil shares how his approach to sharpening has always been grounded in serving people first — focusing on doing good work, treating customers well, and letting the business grow naturally instead of chasing quick wins. We talk about his early days getting started, lessons learned along the way, and the mindset shifts that helped him build something sustainable and fulfilling.

This conversation isn’t about hype, shortcuts, or gimmicks. It’s about:

• Starting a sharpening business with integrity
• Learning through mistakes and staying humble
• Communicating clearly with customers
• Balancing craftsmanship with real-world business needs
• Why service, consistency, and care still matter in a trade business

Whether you’re just getting started in sharpening, years into the craft, or simply interested in building a small trade-based business that aligns with your values, this episode offers grounded perspective and practical wisdom from someone who’s living it.

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In this session I focus the conversation on reasons to consider sharpening in retirement.

I also look back on what we covered in the Guild in January and forecast some things to expect in February.

Hopefully you found some points worthy of consideration.

Learn more at: www.GuildOfSharpeners.org

or reach me at Matt@AmericanEdgeSharpening.com

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Welcome to the first Knife and Tool Sharpening Podcast episode!

As a launch to this project I'm including some background on the evolution of The American Edge and The Guild of Professional Sharpeners.

Following that is an attempt to set expectations for what to expect in 2025 from this podcast and for members or those interested in becoming members to the Guild.

I hope this helps you in some way and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

https://members.guildofsharpeners.org/share/5V7kvPRJA1YDwUFw?utm_source=manual

matt@AmericanEdgeSharpening.com