What has a bell and isn’t Mr. Softee?
Lo, it’s the knife grinder!
Now, I’ve never before lived in place where a knife-grinder came around, and I have some sewing scissors that need to be sharpened frequently, inconveniently, and usually at unreasonable expense. So I grabbed them and dashed outside in my slippers…
The truck itself was equipped with all sorts of clever things, like a dangling scrap of fabric to test scissors on and various implements to straighten out the blades, which had gotten a little crooked from accidental encounters with pins and zipper hardware.
Here we see the shower of sparks that accompanied the scissor-sharpening. The guy (presumably the eponymous Bob) told me that he comes by every few months. Best of all, he charged me about HALF of what I pay at a sewing supply shop in Manhattan; he only charged me a buck extra for the pinking shears! He does not, however, do saws or other things with teeth. If only I’d known he was coming in advance! Since yesterday, I’ve thought of a bunch of other things that need to be sharpened. I suppose it’s just as well I didn’t go running outside with a handful of kitchen knives. That’s a bit too “Itchy and Scratchy.”
i saw him yesterday too! before that he was just mythical to me.
Darn it all if I didn’t see this guy driving down Sterling Pl. toward Flatbush early on Saturday afternoon!!
If you want to get your implements sharpened with old world flair, you may want to wait for this guy:
http://www.dailyheights.com/archives/2005/04/hey_its_that_gu.html
Damn! You are sooo lucky, my knives need sharpening like nobody’s business.
Bump and Grind
Looks like my knife-grinding friend Mr Del Re has a bit of competition. EmilyM at dailyheights has a post about Bob’s grinding service.
I wonder if Bob would be more amenable to an interview than D Del Re was? Grinding Wars on the streets o…
Anybody know how he compares to the lady at Chelsea Market?
Ooooh, we’re on Curbed.
Does he come to Prospect Lefferts? These guys used to be everywhere, but are increasingly rare. I’ve always loved the scissors grinder man as my mother called them — especially the idea of everyone running out of their house with sharp implements flying, with the most peaceful of intentions.
I would be so happy to hear that “ding ding” on Lefferts Ave (between Rogers and Nostrand)!
Beware your nice knives. See this post on chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/outer12/messages/23377.html
In answer to Emily’s question,I’ve occasionally seen knife sharpeners in Prospect Lefferts, but not for a number of years–but then I quess their visits are infrequent everywhere.
One of them once did a great job on my ancient (’20s?) oak-handled push lawn mower.
Does anyone know if this guy has a phone number? Or is there anyway to get in touch with him directly?
Sorry, I have no contact info for him. I’ll ask if I see him again. Or maybe he’ll see this!
When I lived in Queens, the knife-sharpening guy would come along every few months. I was a kid then, so to me it was completely natural (if not terribly interesting) to hear his bell — it was very different than the ice cream man’s.
I remember once asking my Dad why he didn’t get the lawnmower sharpened. He said that by the time he heard the bell, it was too late to get it out of the shed and to the front of the house.
FWIW.
there is a better knife sharpener truck in manhattan. It is silver and I see it regulary on the westside. I had my knives and scissors sharpened by this father and son team and they were amazing.
big one, are you suggesting that we Brooklynites carry handfuls of knives into Manhattan in the hope of running into your guy? Seems like you kind of have to go with whoever shows up in your own area… :/
In respect to Big one, If you need anything sharpened the silver truck Which I see every tuesday between 106 -96 on broadway does a incredible job for a extremly fair price.By the way ,the young guy is very handsome but I think he is married. I will get his phone number
I know exactly what you are taling about Andrew I hav seen the silver knife sharpening truck 100-96 on broadway all the time. Did you know there is also a 14-15 year old boy who works on that truck. This boy is very crafty he sharpens the knives and drops them off at different places he very cute and speaks very claearly he has spikey hair and really gets the job done. He is out rain or shine with his father I give him so much credit The silver truck is awsome for an extremely fair price they do the best knife sharpening job in the world. A+ work
Ruined my knife. I just went out to the green truck with the clanging bell - Bob’s Grinding Service. My hundred dollar German chopping knife now has a discolored tip, which means that it was left on the grinding wheel too long, and now the metal has changed composition and is weak and easy to break and also there are chips in the metal near the handle.
Seen that silver (grayish truck) around the city several times i have got my pocket blades sharpened by this real young guy assisted by another guy. I may have even bought a serrated knife from him if I recall. I gave the young one few extra bucks and he even included a small paring knife. Real good company