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June 4, 2008
Knife Sharpening
Where can I have some good knives sharpened? I know there are knife sharpening trucks in Bklyn but I have no clue where they camp out and have never run into one.
Anyone have suggestions?
Comments
Has Mr. L made one too many suggestions that you disagree with? You both were getting on so well through the renovation process. Surely the stressful times are behind you now.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 4, 2008 2:53 PM
I saw in the window of Cook's Companion on Atlantic that they have a knife-sharpening service. I've heard it isn't wise to trust your best kitchen knives to the truck sharpener, but what do I know...?
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 3:06 PM
DIBS --
Yes, renovation is tough on a marriage, but when the knives come out, spouses usually form a unified front against the contractor.
Mrs. L.,
I've never known the knife guy in the red truck to run a predictable route or schedule. He's got a step van and his signature sound is like the bells in mid-century school buildings, a very fast continuous clang. He goes by pretty fast if no one stops him; he doesn't just camp out like the ice cream truck. Also, I've seen varying opinions on whether the sharpening wheel is good or bad for stainless knives.
(Speaking of ice cream trucks, I've noticed that the Mr. Softee theme has been replaced by Beethoven's Fur Elise on an electronic glockenspeil this year.)
Posted by: slopefarm at June 4, 2008 3:12 PM
Don't use the red truck guy unless you know for certain that you want your knives reground. He does not sharpen/hone your knives; he grinds the blade. From my experience, he does not really understand the correct angles needed on professional quality knives - he just grinds the heck out of them. Are they sharp? Sure. Are they sharpened correctly? No.
Posted by: hayduke at June 4, 2008 3:38 PM
Dave - I don't plan on using the sharpened instruments on Mr. L. At least not yet :)
Thanks for the warning about the truck. I'll try Cooks Companion.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at June 4, 2008 3:49 PM
Cooks Companion on Atlantic Ave sharpens my good knives, and they do a very good job. I'm happy with them.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 3:51 PM
The trucks are horrible on chef's knives. They are fine with commercial butcher's knives that are meant to be reground over and over until there's nothing left.
On a typical triangular chef's knife they grind off so much steel that you can no longer use them for chopping cuz the 'heel' of the knife, which hasn't been ground off, is higher than the rest of the blade, and impedes it from chopping.
Mrs. L., you went thru all that renovation, you should learn how to sharpen a knife. Buy yourself a few whetstones and some instructions. It takes a bit of skill but with practice...
Posted by: denton at June 4, 2008 4:53 PM
The trucks are horrible on chef's knives. They are fine with commercial butcher's knives that are meant to be reground over and over until there's nothing left.
On a typical triangular chef's knife they grind off so much steel that you can no longer use them for chopping cuz the 'heel' of the knife, which hasn't been ground off, is higher than the rest of the blade, and impedes it from chopping.
Mrs. L., you went thru all that renovation, you should learn how to sharpen a knife. Buy yourself a few whetstones and some instructions. It takes a bit of skill but with practice...
Posted by: denton at June 4, 2008 4:54 PM
Maybe ask one of the higher-end restaurants in the neighborhood. Local knife sharpeners usually contact them, which BTW could be a retiree in the neighborhood who's really good with knives and makes a few extra bucks doing it.
I have a Tormek wet wheel grinder/honer in my shop to keep my planer and jointer knives and chisels scary sharp. It does a decent job with my kitchen knives too but I've ruined a few.
Posted by: Steve at June 4, 2008 5:05 PM
If you must know, Mr. L father decided to use our good chef's knife to shuck some clams. So I definitely need a pro (the stone isn't going to cut it for this job) I'll be stopping in at Cook's Companion. Thanks again for the reco.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at June 4, 2008 5:08 PM
I had my knives destroyed by one of those knife truck guys. And then heard similar tales from friends. Lesson learned.
Posted by: brooklyny at June 4, 2008 5:52 PM
I have used
Johns Sharpening Services & Supplies
6301 10th Ave Brooklyn NY 11219
718-680-4492
I have never had a problem.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 9:49 PM
Buy a clam knife while you're at Cook's Companion. Shucking should never be done with a sharp knife. Or, get an Oyster bar in your neighborhood!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 5, 2008 8:34 AM
Henry Westpfal Co
115 West 25th st. at 6th Ave. in the city.
212.563.5990
I JUST got my knives sharpened there last week and I'm very happy. I did a lot of research to find where to go, including apartment therapy etc, and he came highly reviewed. Perhaps slightly pricey -- I got seven knives sharpened for $40.
Posted by: guest at June 5, 2008 11:00 AM
I'm all for an oyster bar in WT or South Slope, and I'm living (barely) proof that DIBS is right -- clam knife is the way to go for shucking oysters. Tried a really thick paring knife once and stabbed my palm a few times before snapping the knife point off. Luckily I found the point before eating the oyster.
Good luck Mrs. L. and do what everyone says -- stay away from the red truck.
Posted by: slopefarm at June 5, 2008 11:25 AM
I had knifes sharpened several times by the guy in the red truck. He has always done a wonderful job and I would recommend going to him. I tried Cook's Companion and will never go back (they destroyed all of my best knifes!)
Posted by: john1965 at February 18, 2009 11:37 PM
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