Best sharpening service for wickedly sharp?

[sobriquet]

I saw good reviews for Standard Cutlery & Supply Co, Ross Cutlery, and Gary's at the Culver City Farmer's Market. Has anyone actually used more than one of these places and can recommend one over another? Ross seems a bit pricey.

I'm trying to find someone who will make my kitchen knives *scary* sharp. I've had good results using a diamond stone myself on smaller knives, but I'd like to leave my expensive kitchen knives to a professional. If it matters, they're symmetrical European - not Asian - knives.

Thanks!!

[bluebandit]

Ross is definitely the way to go. They sharpen not only my Japanese cleaver, but also my Kyocera carbon knives. Always better than new. They will do same day service, and also do a great job on kitchen shears. Love walking through the Bradbury building on the way. And they're open seven days a week.

[bakersdozen]

Just had my Henkels Professional and Wusthof knives sharpened two weeks. I also had Felco pruners, poultry shears, serrated knives and a cleaver professionally sharpened.

Had it done at the Shaver Shop at Victory and Sepulveda in SFV recommended by the folks at Star Restaurant Supply. So far, really good! Sharper than brand new. The serrated knife, I was skeptical would be sharpened properly...but it is great! They did a great job!

[Debbie W]

Star has recommended them for many years, and I've often thought of trying them because of the convenience factor for me since I live in Sherman Oaks. May I ask how much they charged per knife, how long it took (i.e. did you have to leave your knives), and do you know if they can do Globals?

[bakersdozen]

I don't know if they could do Globals. But you can call them and ask. If they aren't busy, they can do it right away. I left 10 items (7 knives, shears, pruners, cleaver), it took a little more than an hour. They charged $30 for everything. I'm going to bring steak knives in next time.

[sobriquet]

Looks like I'll give Ross a try. Thanks for all the input, everyone. Bria, that looks like a great alternative, but I dont' really want to be without knives for that long.

[rednyellow]

Ross always does a great job on my knives. I was very unimpressed with the guy at the Hollywood farmer's market.

[girlwonder]

I also suggest Ross. They have always done my knives justice.
Then walk across the street to the farmers market and have a fantastic lunch while you wait.
=]

[nosh]

The website for Ross says quite explicitly that knife sharpening takes at least 1-2 days. I'd be willing to pay their prices if I could save an extra trip downtown and have them sharpened as I had lunch. Will they do this? Call ahead? Any days better than others?

[Debbie W]

When I stopped in a few months ago, I asked about same-day service. I think they said they could do quick (like an hour or so) service for an extra dollar per knife. My thought was to ride down there on the red line (with my knives, lol), drop off the knives, have lunch at GCM, then pick up the knives. I couldn't really get my head around taking all my knives on the subway, so I didn't do that (at least not yet). Call to verify on the quick service.

[JEN10]

Where is Ross Cutlery? I too would like to have my knives TRUELY sharpened.

[wilafur]

google is your best friend. :)

http://www.rosscutlery.com/

[rogermexico]

I keep wondering if any of the places around town do Japanese knives (ie generally single edged knives with harder alloys). Does Ross? I think I asked around at Sur La Table and they wouldn't touch my Tojiro with a ten foot pole.

[Debbie W]

I haven't actually had my knives sharpened at Ross, but I stopped in one day a few months ago after lunch at Grand Central Market, and asked if they do Globals as well as German knives. The fellow I spoke to said yes.

[sobriquet]

Globals aren't chisel ground blades like Roger's Tojiro knives. Global uses a steeper edge (16 degree vs. German 20), but is still a normal western symmetrical grind.

[neobite]

Ross Cutlery does brilliant work and it's worth every penny (and I don't find their prices at all out of line). I consider them artisans.

[slacker]

Agree on all points on Ross. Haven't tried the others, and now why would I. I looked into Sur La Table, but just really hesitated about taking my knives to a "chain" store, or some guy at a farmers market. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather have very specialized hands working on my knives, at a shop whose whole point of existence is the focus on blades.

[Bria Silbert]

I've used Sur La Table, Larry's Shaver Shop, and the place in Beverly Hills and none of them gave me that sharp edge you're seeking. I haven't tried this place out yet, but heard a good review about it on NPR:

http://holleyknives.com/