FAQ Page
My knife comes with a "lifetime free sharpening service" from the manufacturer.  
Should I use that, or your service?

    Here are some points to consider, to answer your question:
  • Turnaround time:  Check the manufacturer's website.  It might be gone for
    weeks.  1SharpKnife strives to have the knife sharpened and on it's way back
    within a couple of days.
  • A change from the original edge:  Were you happy with the original edge on
    the blade?  If not, give 1SharpKnife a try.  1SharpKnife strives to put an edge on
    the knife that best suits its intended purpose.
  • Damaged blades repaired:  Manufacturers often won't repair damage to the
    blade, or severe damage to the cutting edge.  1SharpKnife will examine your
    blade, and in most cases can repair the knife in a manner to give you a workable
    cutting edge.  (If on the other hand, your knife needs repair work other than sharpening
    related... for example missing parts or a loose handle, and these items are covered under
    the manufacturer's (or custom maker's) warranty, send the knife to them.  In some cases,
    they may also replace the blade for a fee, so consider all options.  1SharpKnife limits repairs
    to sharpening related problems (chipped edges, broken tips, etc., that a manufacturer may
    not cover), although on most knives screws will be checked for tightness, a little lube added
    to the pivot, and dirt blown out with an air compressor.
Why don't you sharpen kitchen knives?

    Limiting services allows for a faster turnaround time.  Plus a lot of sharpening services primarily sharpen kitchen
    cutlery, and either won't sharpen other types of knives (EDCs, hunting knives, etc.), or will sharpen them with
    the same method as a kitchen knife, which is not always correct.  1SharpKnife offers a service that concentrates
    on correctly sharpening these types of knives, and returning them as soon as possible.

How do I know if my knife is dull?

    The easiest way is to try and cut a piece of copy paper.  The knife should slice thru the paper without catching
    or tearing.  You can also tell by how the knife cuts in everyday use.  If you find yourself applying a lot of
    pressure and/or sawing through something just to try and cut it, it's dull.

    This brings up another point.  When you receive your sharpened knife back, BE CAREFUL!  It will cut a lot
    easier and faster than you are used to.  Be sure to make cuts away from your body, and that you are not
    holding the item you are trying to cut in a way that your palm or fingers are in front of the blade.

How do you sharpen serrated knives?

    Serrated knives are typically sharpened by placing a small bevel on the back of the serrated edge, then
    touching up the front with a ceramic rod or felt wheel.  Because of the variety of serrations types, and the
    specialized equipment needed, 1SharpKnife cannot repair damaged serrations, or cut new teeth or points into
    the knife.  In some cases the damaged edge can be ground or reconfigured to proved a workable cutting edge.

What equipment do you use?

    1SharpKnife has a variety of equipment for knife sharpening, including:  Edge Pro - Professional Sharpener,
    Tormek Wet Wheel grinder, Hamaguri Variable Speed Belt Sharpener, Razor Edge - Sharpening Wheels,  
    various water and diamond stones, and other equipment as needed..  All equipment used is designed for knife
    sharpening, and will not overheat or otherwise damage the edge.

Can I drop my knives off?