Hi! My name is Nicholas, and I am an 18-year-old sophomore at the University of Arizona, where I am studying physiology with the goal of becoming a pediatric trauma physical therapist. I have a deep passion for understanding the mind and body, caring for others, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and regular visits to the gym. However, my greatest passion lies in cooking.

Like many, quarantine led me to spend more time in the kitchen, and it was during this period that I also developed a keen interest in collecting and maintaining knives. My obsession with keeping my knives in perfect condition prompted me to purchase my first whetstones, marking the beginning of my journey in mastering the art of sharpening.

After months of honing my skills, I realized I could turn this hobby into a business. In need of some extra cash, I posted my first ad on Nextdoor, not expecting much. To my surprise, I woke up the next morning to over a hundred requests from people wanting their knives sharpened!

Four years later, my knife-sharpening business is thriving. I take great pride in providing top-notch service to my community, ensuring that every blade I handle is restored to its optimal condition. Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, I am here to help keep your knives sharp and ready for any culinary challenge.

Thank you for visiting my page. I look forward to serving you and sharing my passion for precision and craftsmanship. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a service. Let's keep those knives sharp!

-Nick

About Me

Services

Blade Restoration and Reprofiling

Mobile Service

Whetstone and Machine Sharpening

Using a high-speed machine with a low-grit belt, I can remove rust, form new edges, straighten tangs, smooth out chips, and restore blades to their optimal and most efficient profiles. While some metal removal is necessary for these repairs, I prioritize minimizing this to ensure your knife remains in excellent condition.

I can come to You! My professional mobile knife sharpening service brings precision and convenience right to your doorstep. No need to leave the comfort of your home! Short on time? I'll pick up your knives, sharpen them to perfection, and deliver them back to you, saving you time and hassle!

At Cut Above, I offer both whetstone and machine sharpening methods, tailored to the type of knife, the extent of damage, and customer preference. Machine sharpening is quicker and removes more metal, making it easier to achieve a good final product. However, whetstones, used for thousands of years, are often considered superior in the sharpening community for their precision and ability to create a finely polished edge.

For machine sharpening, I use the Work Sharp Ken Onion machine with belts ranging from 120 to 6000 grit, chosen based on the knife's condition. For whetstone sharpening, I use grits from 400 to 8000, depending on the knife's initial state. Both methods yield excellent results, but for high-end knives, minimal metal removal, and if you place value on the skill and time involved, whetstone sharpening is recommended.

Not Just Knives!

I sharpen all kinds of blades at Cut Above, including scissors, shears, single bevel knives, lawnmower blades, serrated knives, double bevel knives, garden shears, shovels, chisels, machetes, swords, cleavers, and basically anything else that has an edge!

Pricing

Whetstone Sharpening

Machine Sharpening

Mobile Service

Double bevel blades - $1/inch

Serrated blades - $1.25/inch

Scissors/Shears/Clippers - $6 - $10

Tools - $10 - $15

Tip/Chip repairs - $5 - 10

Rust removal/Reprofiling - $5 - $10

Double bevel blades - $1.50/inch

Serrated blades - $1.75/inch

Scissors/Shears/Clippers - $15

$.50/mile driven

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have my blades resharpened and why?

This depends on three things, the quality/hardness of your blades steel, the bevels angle, and how often you use the knife. These factors combined can mean resharpening is optimal all the way from every three months to one year. The best way to know whether your blade is sharp enough is to test it on a sheet of paper. If it tears instead of cutting, that means its time to get it resharpened. A dull blade needs more pressure to cut, increasing the chance that the knife will slip with great force behind it. A sharp blades catches and cuts the surface more easily.

What does the turnaround time look like?

I can have your blades sharpened and returned within a few hours. However, most customers typically pick up or receive their sharpened knives the following day.

How can maintain the sharpness of / care for my blades at home?

To keep your knives in top condition, I recommend honing them regularly, keeping them dry, and avoiding cutting hard materials like bone.

What form/s or payment do you take?

I accept cash, checks, Zelle, and Venmo :)