Knife sharpening in Seattle?

[skibum400]

Hello--

Short question: Can anyone recommend professional sharpeners close to the downtown Seattle area?

Long explanation to the short question: We just moved to the area and we've been spoiled by professional knife sharpeners, specifically Lorenz Grinding in Salt Lake City. Thanks (or "no thanks", depending on your POV) to them we can't just buy DIY knife sharpener appliances-- those guys were artists.

Thx

[burritobelle]

I took mine to Tweedy and Pop's Hardware in Wallingford. They send them out, and it takes a week to get them back. My big, good knife cost about $7-8 to sharpen. It seemed steep, but I don't have anything to compare it too.

[skibum400]

I ended up dropping off my knives with Epicurean Edge. Will post a follow up after I pick them up. Equinoise, please let me know what you think as well, assuming you did the same. Thanks to every1

[equinoise]

Epicurian Edge did a fine job, the knives are sharper then ever; its like a newer stronger edge was established with a shiny finish. The weight of the chef's knife alone was almost enough to slice peppers.

It was expensive-$80 for 7 knives, two of them serrated. I recall paying like 30-40 before for the services of the Samurai lady in Chelsea Market, NYC.

[skibum400]

Yep, that's where we ended up as well. Nice work and parking for a downtown location wasn't too bad.

[newfguy]

The guy who runs Epicurean Edge in Kirkland trained under Bob Kramer. He does a great job with sharpening. I trusted my custom Kramer chef's knife to him

[bstone]

I only trust my knives to Bob Kramer (http://kramerknives.com/index.htm). He once had a shop near the Kingdome called Bladesmith. Since he moved out of town, I have shipped my knives to him for sharpening--usually when I go on vacation. They are returned promptly and perfectly sharpened. A bad sharpening job can ruin a knife--it's not worth the risk.

[Lauren]

Bob Kramer is no longer sharpening knives. Per the referral on his web site, and the recommendation of SeaGal - who had her knives sharpened there, we tried Bob Tate on Queen Anne. Just got our knives back and they are fine. $1 per inch and about a 24 hour turn around time.

[allisonw]

Someone gave me Bob Tate's number, but I have misplaced it. Can you post how to reach him? Does he have a shop now--I thought he was just running around on his bicycle doing sharpening last I heard.

[SeaGal]

Here's Bob Tate's website: http://www.seattleknifesharpening.com...
He's a nice guy and he did a great sharpening job for a reasonable price.

[passionfoodie]

I agree with B Tate's knife sharpening ability. He will hone them up real nice. After all, he was taught by the master--Bob Kramer himself

[allisonw]

Ditto on the Bob Tate kudos. I just went and picked up my knives from him today. They look great, he's quick, and he spent a few minutes with me and my ceramic steel helping me improve my technique with that.

[Lauren]

We bought a ceramic steel on his recommendation. It has really helped!

[savvy savorer]

Sur La Table, there is one in Pike Place market area

[foodrover]

It might be worth checking out a commercial place like Nella Cutlery on 4th Ave S.

http://www.nella.com/

[ceester]

I personally avoid that place, tried them once and my knives came back in bad shape, the tip of one of the knives was worse than when I sent it in.

[howard 1st]

donna gerhart of kitchensong [phone] will come to your place and do your knives 'while you wait'

[Lets_eat]

I second the recommendation for Seattle Cutlery. It's the sharpest my Henckels has ever been, and with diligent steeling it's stayed that way for almost a year.

[ceester]

Seattle Cutlery in Pike Place Market offers sharpening, don't remember if they charge per knife or per inch. I actually just called them yesterday to inquire for my own knives. They are not sharpening for the next two weeks but said to call back week of the 24th. Two-day turnaround usually.

[BruceB]

Bob Kramer (kramerknives.com) will make your knives sharper than you ever believed possible. You have to ship them to Olympia, but it's not really much harder than taking them to a store.

[NickZ]

I'll second Kramer Knives sharpening. I sent several knives there over two years ago, never "touched them up" with a sharpener and they are just now at the point of needing re-sharpening (with daily use). It may be more expensive than the local Tue Value, but the edge he puts on is amazing - I spent the first several weeks oogling the blade....

[eternalX]

They charge $1/inch. Kinda pricey but my knives came out very sharp AND they fixed an edge on one (for a $3-5 extra charge)

[fooey]

Bob's sharpening isn't what it used to be. I just got mine back from him a couple of months ago and was not impressed. His prices are a higher now too, so expect about $60 for an average set of knives.

[equinoise]

Coincidentally, I was looking into this lately. QFC will do up to three non-serrated knives for free. I haven't used their service so I can't vouch for the quality. There is another store in Pike Place that also charges a fee with a name I can't recall.

I spoke to someone at the Epicurian Edge in Kirkland, and he boldly claimed that they employ a special technique that makes them "one of the top two places in the country ", leaving the blade "literally sharper than a razor". They charge by the inch, with a higher rate for serrated knives. This seems to be the place for you if utmost sharpness is key, but it is not downtown Seattle. It is an interesting shop with alot of rare and handmade cutlery. I think I will try Epicurian and report back.

[skibum400]

I called L Lorenz Griding in Utah to double-check their technique, and a man there reported they employed wet stone griding. The wet technique, he tells me, is essential to avoid heat buildup and loss of the knives' temper. Makes sense to me.

I was curious about Sur la Table. I called the Pike Place branch and it looks like they do sharpen knives, but the lady on the phone couldn't describe what they use.

[equinoise]

If I am not mistaken, Epicurian Edge, mentioned in my last post, uses the wet stone technique. Call them to verify.