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Price lists are offered in a range from basic sharpening to repairs. Basic sharpening would be offered for items that have been well maintained, with little to no damage to the blade shape or profile. These items need very little material removed to bring them to good condition. At the other end of the listed range is repairs. This includes items that have some damage but are generally the same shape as the original piece. These items require a moderate amount of material to be removed due to chips, small broken tips, and wear that requires the bevel to be reprofiled. Items that are damaged beyond this point will need to be quoted on a case-by-case basis. Please email a few pictures that clearly show the size of the blade and the extent of the damage to rossknifesharpening@gmail.com, or we can quote it on-site. Please note that any quotes sent through email or over the phone are subject to change once we see the item in person. If more damage than expected is discovered, we will discuss it before repairing that item. All applicable taxes are included in the listed or quoted price. 

On top of the listed sharpening price there is an added fee to help offset the rising cost of fuel and materials. We are now adding $10 per hour for travel and sharpening time to the final bill. This will be rounded up to the half-hour, and allows us to continue to offer the convenience of a mobile service to Prince George and the surrounding area. We request a deposit of $20.00 when booking an appointment, which will go toward the total on your bill. If you choose not to pay the deposit, there will be an additional fee of $10.00.

We currently accept cash, eTransfer, and credit via online invoicing. As a mobile service, the minimum total on the bill is $20.00. Quotes are finalized on-site, and the bill is due at the end of the appointment. The advance of $20.00, requested when we book an appointment, will be deducted from the total amount. If a bill remains unpaid for a week, you will receive a reminder email. After a month, there will be a 20% markup on the bill, compounding monthly after that point. Future service will be withheld until payment is made in full.

Please provide at least 48 hours notice for appointment cancellations or rebooking. Cancelling an appointment within 48 hours of its start time or failing to be at the location at the agreed upon time will result in a forfeiture of the $20.00 advance. If you wish to pursue another appointment, an advance will need to be submitted again before scheduling.

Appointments can be booked by emailing rossknifesharpening@gmail.com, calling or texting 250-552-8141, or through the “Ross Knife Sharpening” Facebook page. After finding a time that works, we will request a $20.00 deposit to book your appointment.

We offer sharpening services on a subscription to homes and businesses. There is no minimum number of items, but the $20.00 minimum per appointment stands. To qualify, you must book 2 or more appointments within one year and a non-refundable deposit of $20 per appointment must be paid in advance. Subscribers receive a 5% discount on all sharpening for the year their subscription stands.

We are typically booked a week or more in advance and rarely accept rush requests. If a customer insists on having their knives or tools sharpened as soon as possible, we may be able to accommodate, but there will be an additional fee of $5.00 extra per item, plus a $20.00 booking fee.

In some cases, sharpening is either unnecessary, the knife or tool is worn beyond a reasonable point, or it is made from poor materials. In these cases, we will discuss options and come to a solution that most benefits the customer. Swords, daggers, and novelty blades will be refused, and we recommend looking to the manufacturer or bladesmith for sharpening services.

If you want to preserve your edge and get the most life out of your knife, please follow these guidelines:

- Use a tool that is purpose-built for the task. A chef’s knife will cut through chicken bones, but a cleaver will do the job without taking as much damage.

- Use a proper cutting surface. Choose a cutting board that best suits your needs and do a little research before your purchase. If you don’t mind doing a little more maintenance, nothing beats an end grain cutting block when it comes to edge retention.

- Use good technique when cutting. Keep the blade at 90o to the cutting surface and use a block scraper or the spine of the knife to push food off the cutting board.

- Use a honing rod or steel. This is probably the most misunderstood tool in your kitchen. It will not sharpen your knife, but it will correct waves and small bends in your edge from regular use. Used improperly, it will do more harm than good. Watch a YouTube video or ask us to demonstrate how to use a steel properly at your next appointment.

- Avoid the dishwasher. If you want the most out of your knives, hand wash with a cloth or soft sponge. Scrubbing pads of any kind will damage your knife to some degree, and the high heat from a dishwasher will crack handles. To avoid rust, dry the knife immediately after washing.

If you want your knives to perform at their best - have them sharpened often. The hardness of steel is rated on the HRC scale. High-quality German knives generally have an HRC rating in the mid 50s to low 60s, and will wear enough to need reprofiled within a year from common household use. Japanese knives tend to be harder and wear differently. Due to their hardness, they often chip rather than bend. Chips left unchecked often lead to hairline cracks that move up the blade. To avoid removing lots of material when sharpening, we recommend having your knives sharpened 2-3 times per year for household use, and bi-weekly or monthly for commercial clients.