The first Saturday in May marks a new chapter for me—and for anyone within range of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin—who’s been hanging onto a dull blade, waiting for a good excuse to get it sharpened. Starting May 3rd, 2025, I’ll be joining the Sun Prairie Farmers Market as a vendor, offering on-site sharpening services every week. It’s my first time at this market, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring my gear, my whetstones, and my sharpening know-how to one of the friendliest community markets in the state.

For those who haven’t been, the Sun Prairie Farmers Market is more than a collection of stalls. It’s a Saturday ritual, a place where locals come not just to shop for fresh produce and handmade goods, but to catch up with neighbors, grab a bite, and enjoy some time outdoors. I’ll be set up with a sharpening station, ready to put a fresh edge on everything from chef’s knives to garden shears. And yes, I mean everything.

So, what exactly am I sharpening this summer?

Let’s break it down.

Knives – Of All Kinds

Knives are my bread and butter. Whether you bring in a high-end Japanese gyuto or a $15 paring knife from your college days, I’ll treat it with the same attention to detail.

Kitchen knives are the most common request, and I specialize in restoring both western and Japanese blades. If you’ve been sawing through tomatoes lately, it’s probably time for a tune-up. I use a combination of low and high grit stones, and I finish with leather strops to ensure a sharp edge that’ll glide through food instead of crushing it.

Pocket knives and folding blades are also welcome. Whether you're an EDC enthusiast or someone who keeps a utility blade in the junk drawer, I’ll get it sharp again. I can also restore broken tips and reshape blades that have been poorly sharpened or abused.

Hunting and outdoor knives? Absolutely. I’ve restored dozens of beat-up blades that now look like they came out of the factory yesterday—except sharper. If your blade has spent more time on your belt than in your hand lately, bring it by.

And yes—serrated knives. One of the most frequently asked questions I get is: “Can you sharpen serrated knives?” The answer is yes, and I do it right. I work tooth-by-tooth to restore the scallops without grinding away the entire edge. If your bread knife’s been mangling loaves instead of slicing them, I can fix that.

Clippers – For the Yard, Shop, or Show

Gardeners, stylists, farmers, and pet groomers all have one thing in common: they rely on sharp tools to do their job well. I sharpen:

• Hedge clippers
• Pruners
• Loppers
• Grass shears

These tools don’t just need to be sharp—they need to cut clean to avoid damaging plants. I’ll inspect the bevels, remove burrs, and hone them until they’re slicing through stems and branches like butter.

I also handle electric clipper blades for barbers, stylists, and pet groomers. These are precision tools, and I treat them accordingly. I disassemble, clean, sharpen, align, and reassemble each set to ensure smooth, efficient cutting that won’t snag or pull.

Scissors – Salon, Fabric, and Everyday Use

Scissors are tricky. They’re often overlooked, but there’s nothing more frustrating than a pair that folds paper instead of cutting it—or one that frays fabric at the worst moment.

I sharpen:

• Beauty and salon shears – These are some of the most precision-tuned tools I work on. Salon and barber shears need to be razor-sharp and perfectly aligned. I restore both convex and beveled edges, and I’ll test the balance and tension before returning them to you.
• Industrial and textile scissors – Heavy-duty blades used in textile shops or upholstery work need strength and precision. I restore the factory edge while maintaining the proper alignment.
• Kitchen and household scissors – Even if you’re just opening bags of frozen vegetables, it’s easier with a pair of scissors that actually cut instead of pinch.

Chisels and Woodworking Tools

Woodworkers—this one’s for you. I sharpen:

• Bench chisels
• Carving gouges
• Plane blades
• Scrapers

Sharp woodworking tools don’t just make better cuts—they make cleaner ones, which means less sanding and a better finish. I’ll restore the bevel and polish the edge to a mirror finish where applicable. If you’ve got a tool with a nicked or rolled edge, I can bring it back to life.

Yard Tools – Because Efficiency Starts with the Edge

Mid-summer, there’s a good chance your shovels, hoes, and edgers are doing more digging than slicing. I can help with that.

Yard tools take a beating, but even these humble tools benefit from a sharp edge. Sharpened shovels cut through roots and compact soil more easily, and sharpened hoes make weeding less of a chore.

I sharpen:

• Shovels
• Hoes
• Axes
• Machetes
• Lawn mower blades (bring just the blade, not the whole mower)

These tools deserve better than rust and neglect. Let me get them back in fighting shape.

Meat Slicers and Food Processing Blades

Restaurant owners, butchers, food trucks, and home charcuterie lovers—this one’s for you.

I sharpen deli slicer blades, meat processing knives, and commercial food prep blades. These tools aren’t just expensive—they’re mission-critical. A dull slicer slows down service, ruins presentation, and risks employee safety. I restore slicer blades to peak sharpness while respecting the factory bevels and safety tolerances.

Food industry professionals rely on their blades to stay sharp under constant use. I offer maintenance advice as well if you’re unsure how often to resharpen or what storage practices will prolong the life of your blades.

What Makes My Sharpening Different?

I don’t use grinding wheels that chew up your edge. I use a combination of guided sharpening systems and freehand stones that let me control the angle and pressure precisely. That means you’re not just getting a sharp blade—you’re getting one that lasts longer and cuts cleaner.

Each tool is inspected and evaluated individually. If something’s cracked, bent, or damaged beyond sharpening, I’ll let you know instead of wasting your time or money. In many cases, I can reshape broken tips, remove rust, or adjust the geometry of a blade to improve performance.

I also take time to talk through how your tool is being used. A kitchen knife used on plastic cutting boards five hours a day needs a different edge than one used once a week on a wooden board. A barber shear used for dry cuts takes a different angle than one used on wet hair. I tailor the edge to match your use—not some factory default.

What to Expect at the Market

Bring your blades in a safe container—a box, towel, or sheath—and drop them off at my booth. I’ll either sharpen them while you shop or give you a pickup time depending on the workload.

I’ll also have a few basic sharpening products available—stropping compounds, leather strops, and edge maintenance guides—if you want to keep things sharp between visits.

And if you’re not sure if something can be sharpened? Bring it in. I’ve had people show up with everything from hoof trimmers to antique scissors, and more often than not, I can work with it.

Come Say Hello

Whether you’re a seasoned market-goer or just there for the kettle corn, stop by and introduce yourself. I’m looking forward to talking tools, sharing sharpening tips, and helping the Sun Prairie community keep their blades in top condition.

The Sun Prairie Farmers Market kicks off Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, and I’ll be there every week. If you’re unsure whether I can sharpen something, just ask. Odds are, the answer is yes.

Come early, bring your dullest, and walk away sharp.