Real Earnings · Updated 2026

How Much Do Knife Sharpeners Make?

The number one question I get from people thinking about starting a sharpening business: “how much can I actually make?” Let me answer it straight. I personally sharpen $200 to $400 worth of blades on a typical day, and my best days have hit over $700.

By Michael Kempf · Seriously Fast Sharpening, Austin TX

Earnings by Experience Level

Beginner

$50 – $80/hr

$400 – $640/day

5–8 blades/hr, building your customer base and technique. Still better than most side hustles.

Experienced

$100+/hr

$700+/day

10–12 blades/hr with a solid mix. Seven large blades at $15 each clears $100 in one hour.

Full-Time

$300 – $700+/day

$100K+/yr

Commercial accounts, mobile routes, and high volume. Expenses are almost nothing.

Results based on Michael's experience since 2024. Your results will vary by market and effort.

Pricing Behind the Earnings

Charging by size instead of a flat rate is the key. Most knives fall into the large category. Seven large blades at $15 each = $100 in about 70 minutes of work.

Size	Length	Price	Time
Small	1 – 3 inches	$8	5 min
Medium	3 – 7 inches	$10	7 min
Large	7 inches+	$15	10 min

Part-Time vs. Full-Time

Part-time (10–15 hrs/wk)

At $60–80/hr

$600 – $1,200/wk

Full-time (25 hrs sharpening/wk)

At $100/hr

$2,500/wk

Where the Big Money Is

Commercial Accounts

Restaurants bring 20–30 knives every week or two. At $10–15/knife, that's $200–450 per visit. Five restaurants = $1,000–2,250 in recurring weekly revenue.

Hair & Fabric Shears

$20 per pair. A salon with five stylists might have 15–20 pairs. That's a $300–400 order in one stop.

Tools & Yard Blades

Mower blades, loppers, pruners, shovels. If it has an edge, you can charge for it. Neighbors with small engine shops are a consistent source.

Expenses Are Laughably Low

, Belts: $50–80 per set, lasts hundreds of blades
, Stropping compound: a few dollars, lasts forever
, Belt cleaning sticks: a couple of dollars
, Website: ~$10/month
, Vehicle costs if mobile: fuel and maintenance

No inventory. No storefront. Your main investment is time and equipment. The profit margin is wild.

FAQ

How much does a knife sharpening business make?

In my experience, beginner knife sharpeners can earn $50 to $80 per hour. Experienced sharpeners can earn $100+ per hour. Full-time operators can earn $300 to $700+ per day or over $100,000 per year. Your results will vary by market and effort.

How much can you make sharpening knives part-time?

Part-time sharpeners working 10 to 15 hours per week at $60 to $80 per hour can earn $600 to $1,200 per week in extra income.

What do knife sharpeners charge per blade?

$8 for small blades (1–3 inches), $10 for medium (3–7 inches), $15 for large (7+ inches). Major chip repair or broken tip adds $5 flat.

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