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June 2021 Sharpeners Report
Dear Readers,
Two events this spring featured multiple expert trainers sharing information from coast to coast. Last month, the IBSA group was on Zoom, and The Gathering Don Vogel fundraiser/teaching event met in person in Ohio. Both had attendees buzzing about new methods and new equipment to experiment their techniques sharpening shears and dental instruments, knives and clipper blades. Check out the photo recap below!
Also in this issue: Up Close with Above Shears, Noon Sharpening, and a saw to shear training center.
As folks travel around again, we hope this finds you well with plenty of work to tackle. Please keep in touch and thank you for supporting our advertisers, which makes this news from Sharpeners Report possible.
Have a shop tip? Send us your method with a photo and get in our next issue! What works for you to gain repeatable sharp edges efficiently?
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
EVENT JUL 20 - 23 AWFS (Tuesday - Friday) $30 per person, IN PERSON LAS VEGAS!
The Association of Woodworking & Furniture Suppliers attracts saw and tool shops to network with large cabinet makers here at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The International Saw & Knife Association will hold its member only reception for ISKA Members and guests on Tuesday night at IceBar - Linq. ISKA Reception sponsors are Peerless Saw, Equipment LTD, and Southeast Tool during the AWFS convention in Las Vegas. Membership is available at ISKA.org for saw and tool shops.
Before Kevin Noon discovered how efficient he is today at using whetstones to sharpen knives at Farmers' Markets, it was his strong legs that kept this environmentally friendly sharpener in the lucrative business sharpening knives, garden tools, shears and more without any need for generators or power strips. Kevin owns Noon Sharpening, based in Cleveland. He sharpens without electricity. It was his wife’s idea to use the old pedal-driven sewing machine. Farmers’ Markets love the idea of the “Green” option for their local customers. Kevin’s success is evident from his repeat business and schedule. He was booked every day at different markets for at least three hours.
We reported his success in our original edition of "Sharpening Knives as a Business" book that has being updated to include how to gain business at farmers markets.
Here's what worked for Kevin Noon. During the pandemic, Farmers Markets halted. What then? Well, Heinen's grocery chain had Kevin's business card from the Farmers Market. The owner invited Kevin into all his stores with a set schedule to offer sharpening on site. Now, at age 66, Kevin found that he no longer needs the Farmers Markets to sustain his business. Locals in Cleveland and Chicago sought out Kevin to learn where he sharpens at the stores. Many decided they'd drive to his house to drop off dull tools and cutlery. He has a few customers over at a time, or uses a drop-off box system on his porch, which is now getting set up again since he recently moved 50 miles from where he resided.
Another flexible mindset came up when, enroute to Chicago for his route at the grocery chain four times a year, he forgot his grinding wheels. All other equipment was with him, so he pulled out his favorite whetstones and DMT set up. "I haven't gone back to wheels! I sharpened for 400 people in 8 days that trip," he said. Way to pull out of a crisis! Now he is more efficient, having all his stones with him and repeat business from grocery chain shoppers. He even sells knife sleeves to other customers! Check out his website at https://www.noonknifesleeves.com/shop-knife-sleeves
The International Saw & Knife Association will hold its Summer Board Meeting in person on Tuesday, noon, during the AWFS convention in Las Vegas. Machine and saw plate manufactures in the saw and tool industry will have booths at this event.
NEW AND IMPROVED! We are excited to ship the Sharpening Knives as a Business book now that it is back from the printer shop with more pages inside in this 2nd Edition.
We've added rental knife business methods based on our readers' insights. Order this by visiting our website and see the Book Store link!
Did you know our Saw & Tool book is in its 4th edition. These are great reference guides to train employees or refresh your skills.
SHARP MARKETING
This is the last week to view the Sharpeners Jam event recap recordings, which included this Editor's presentation on Sharp Marketing for your sharpening business!
The IBSA also has Sharp Seminars to view for shear sharpeners.
- The June 7 event had 57 people register and the number watching varied from time to time.
- IBSA featured 4 instructors talking about: sales, sharpening a shear's inside edge, setting, outside edge & thinners.
- Four vendors sponsored the event and offering more information about their products.
- All presentations including a pre-recorded video along with a live Q&A session.
- The seminar was recorded and will be accessible to attendees for 30 days. Additionally non-attendees will be able to register and watch the seminar.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
- IBSA Zoom attendees
- Jean-Paul detailing the process for producing a factory outside edge
- Uwe talking best practices for sales
- Dennis Brooks preaching the gospel of set & ride line.
Archives are Rich!
You can see hundreds of articles in our Archives; organized by Back issue Vol. # with headlines. We saved the best for last! Purchase access on our Archived Newsletters on our Book store link
Sell equipment on Sharpeners Report! Facebook only reaches so far. We get you noticed!
Reminder: Place your classified ad prior to July 5 to be in our July Blast after the US Independence Day holiday.
Looking for Sharpening machine equipment? Browse our classifieds. You'll see saw blade equipment to smaller items. Want to sell used sharpening equipment? Post a classified ad.
ABOVE SHEARS Makes a Global Debut
Above Shears, at the International Beauty Show in Vegas this week, is a line where the name reflects the high-end performance of its products in the field. The company is a relatively newcomer on the market that offers high end hair beauty and pet grooming shears. Their early growth is a sign of their success, and Above Shears is seeking more distributors, with now 200 in the US, Canada, UK, Spain, Finland and Australia, combined. The design have a Japanese influence, with a competitive price point. Led by equipment and shear expert Alex Lee, based in the Seattle area, Above Shears did five times more business during the pandemic across the nation, reaching distributors in OR, WA, CA, AZ, IL, NY and even Vancouver and Quebec.
"Above Shears name comes from the mission in providing quality shear that are above and beyond the rest," said co-founder Alex Lee.
On August 1, 2021, a showroom and retail center will be open to the public in Portland, OR. This will be a place for folks to see all of the product line and learn the purpose and design of each shear. This is a place where the user and dealer will get hands-on education to know the function of each shear by observing the design. "The value of Above Shears is that the shears are attractive to the end-users without losing distributors' profit margin. These shears are forged and bendable. Alex Lee, the co-founder of Above Shears, notes that sharpening them, particularly the "chunkers," requires careful observance and know-how. "Above Shears pet grooming chunkers are completely different from common chunkers, from the design to the performance. It is absolutely an enjoyment to service them or hand them," Alex said. These shears are primarily forged and bendable. Please visit aboveshears.com to learn more, click on their ad, or with specific questions, contact Mr. Lee at Alex@aboveint.com
Training Center Opens this Summer in Kansas
The Ultimate Edge Training Center is open this summer in Kansas to help current and beginner sharpeners learn more skills to service everything from saws, tools to clipper blades. "We customize training to each individual’s current skills to better equip individuals in the art of sharpening to learn a new career or to enhance your current sharpening service, said founder Ken Barrows, who helps out there. Below are just some of the topics that may be covered during your training. Each day starts by 8:30am and concludes at 4:30pm. "We break for lunch, and lunch is on us,"Ken said.
Additional Take Home Information
Wholesale Information on…
- Saw blade Distributors
- Carbide tool Distributors
- Clipper Blade Distributors
- Clipper Blade Part Distributors
Business/Marketing Information, What Has Worked For Us…
- Which Accounting System We Use
- Accepting Credit Cards
- Tracking of Sharpening Orders
- Mail Order
- Taking Payments for Shears
- Route Tracking
Places You Can Go Sharpen , and more. Fee starts at $600, additional days of training are $500. Click on their ad or inquire via email: kenssharpeningservice@gmail.com
SCISSOR POUCHES are available from Safety Products.
Call John Hurley Tel: 413-335-5067
The Gathering attracted around 30 attendees, where Ray Pope organized a venue and fundraiser for the family of an industry star of shear manufacturers at Anvil Shears, the late Don Vogel. According to Ray, "the size of the group was very manageable and probably a blessing."
Sharpeners Report asked, What was a Highlight?
"Getting to meet a lot of old friends. No masks were worn and many hugs were enjoyed. Discussing different ways to get new clients was very interesting and Jim O'Donnell proved some astonishing numbers on success of cold calls. Even the meals shared were amazing," Ray reported.
We asked what new invention or method was a highlight. He said that the prototype cordless flathone / buffer was a hit, but the rideline restoring machine was the bigger attraction. We won't see these soon, since only attendees were able to view.
Highlights depended on your interests. Many appreciated Art Van Hecke bringing the group some up close dental and medical sharpening guidance. Ryan Swanson was a big attraction with his knife talents. Dennis Brooks, Jim O'Donnell, Ramon Eickert, Cliff Curry, Ward Collins, Alex Lee and Loren Dalla Betta all helped answer questions and share their wealth of knowledge.
"I am very thankful for the generosity of those that came, participated and donated to the cause. Even with the much lower than expected attendance, we raised a substantial gift in Don's memory," Ray said.
Need a Website Vendor?
Here's one way to get a website started
Jason Littlefield, pro sharpener and owner of Chef KnifeWorks in MN, has been involved in computer programming as a hobby since the 1980s.A new side business is helping fellow sharpeners launch or revise websites he designed, (including Cliff Curry, one of our winners!) Like many of our readers, his path to sharpening was based on curiosity and need. He's a chef, owns a gourmet catering business, and sharpens his own cutlery. Now he has a successful sharpening business in the Twin Cities since October 2020.
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