Knife Sharpening
October 23, 2009 11:04 AM Subscribe
Any recommendations for a good knife sharpening place in Portland, OR?
I'd like to take my kitchen knives to be professionally sharpened. The few spots I find by Googling seem to either be out of business, have so-so reviews, or are too far for me to get to using public transportation (I am currently without a car). Any good places within Portland? Downtown or close-in NE a plus, but not required - if TriMet or MAX can get me there, I'll be fine.
I'd like to take my kitchen knives to be professionally sharpened. The few spots I find by Googling seem to either be out of business, have so-so reviews, or are too far for me to get to using public transportation (I am currently without a car). Any good places within Portland? Downtown or close-in NE a plus, but not required - if TriMet or MAX can get me there, I'll be fine.
Try asking a butcher in the meat department at your local supermarket, I know mine will sharpen knives for me.
posted by reptile at 11:52 AM on October 23, 2009
posted by reptile at 11:52 AM on October 23, 2009
My ex-roommate is a chef & raved about a place she found on Hawthorne Blvd that offers great knife sharpening for $5. It's obviously along the 14 line, but I don't remember the name of the place & my temporary dialup won't let me Yelp it. For shame, opossumnus; for shame.
posted by opossumnus at 12:17 PM on October 23, 2009
posted by opossumnus at 12:17 PM on October 23, 2009
Sur la Table (next to Powell's) does knife sharpening and according to their website they'll sharpen two knives for free in October. And as a bonus, the Streetcar goes right past it.
posted by jcmilton at 1:40 PM on October 23, 2009
posted by jcmilton at 1:40 PM on October 23, 2009
As an alternative, if you ever decide that you'd prefer to learn to do your own knives, this is an excellent and very easy to use tool. (I made extra money in college by doing knife sharpening on the side using very little more than just one of these.)
It's a bit expensive up front, but since it does everything; knives, scissors, tools, etc, if you like your stuff to be scary sharp, it pays for itself pretty quick.
posted by quin at 1:46 PM on October 23, 2009
It's a bit expensive up front, but since it does everything; knives, scissors, tools, etc, if you like your stuff to be scary sharp, it pays for itself pretty quick.
posted by quin at 1:46 PM on October 23, 2009
Farmers markets often have a knife sharpening guy (gal).
Drop by yours.
posted by artdrectr at 2:26 PM on October 23, 2009
Drop by yours.
posted by artdrectr at 2:26 PM on October 23, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions!
I have never seen knife sharpening guys or gals at the farmer's markets I frequent, but perhaps I just missed something...I will ask around next time.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 2:49 PM on October 23, 2009
I have never seen knife sharpening guys or gals at the farmer's markets I frequent, but perhaps I just missed something...I will ask around next time.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 2:49 PM on October 23, 2009
How close is St Johns Farmer's Market?
Btw, these places normally charge about 5 per blade, maybe less if you bring a set. Don't forget scissors and tools.
I get the knives back same day, often by the time I'm done veggie shopping.
Learn from my mistake: Wrap your knives well before transporting them anywhere.
posted by artdrectr at 10:02 PM on October 23, 2009
Btw, these places normally charge about 5 per blade, maybe less if you bring a set. Don't forget scissors and tools.
I get the knives back same day, often by the time I'm done veggie shopping.
Learn from my mistake: Wrap your knives well before transporting them anywhere.
posted by artdrectr at 10:02 PM on October 23, 2009
It used to be George & Son, but that beloved institution sadly passed on.
The Place on hawthorne Oposumnus speaks of is.... crap I can't remember the name, but it's around 22nd or 23rd and Hawthorne, in the same bank of shops as Veloce Bikes. I also heard rave reviews of this place, but they so royally f*cked up my work knives I can't recommend them. Also, prepare for knife & sword geeks, not culinary types.
Sur La Table etc just have a knife sharpening machine, which unskilled shop workers wield authority but little knowledge. Not recommended.
I guess your best chance are the recommended farmers market people, but if you love your knives, give them a crappy one to prove their skills on before trusting them with your favorites.
posted by markovitch at 5:51 PM on October 24, 2009
The Place on hawthorne Oposumnus speaks of is.... crap I can't remember the name, but it's around 22nd or 23rd and Hawthorne, in the same bank of shops as Veloce Bikes. I also heard rave reviews of this place, but they so royally f*cked up my work knives I can't recommend them. Also, prepare for knife & sword geeks, not culinary types.
Sur La Table etc just have a knife sharpening machine, which unskilled shop workers wield authority but little knowledge. Not recommended.
I guess your best chance are the recommended farmers market people, but if you love your knives, give them a crappy one to prove their skills on before trusting them with your favorites.
posted by markovitch at 5:51 PM on October 24, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for the heads-up on Sur La Table, markovitch, that is good to know.
Just wanted to add that this weekend I found out that Kitchen Kaboodle is doing knife sharpening over the next few Saturdays. It's one location per Saturday, not all locations ever weekend. 11/7 is the NE Broadway location.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 3:53 PM on October 26, 2009
Just wanted to add that this weekend I found out that Kitchen Kaboodle is doing knife sharpening over the next few Saturdays. It's one location per Saturday, not all locations ever weekend. 11/7 is the NE Broadway location.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 3:53 PM on October 26, 2009
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Bladesharperner USA does sharpening at your location. I haven't used them, but they seem okay pricewise as well.
posted by vespabelle at 11:25 AM on October 23, 2009