Geoff Dean 27th September 2008, 09:49 PM Has anyone heard anything about them?
http://www.bssharp.com.au/
As they are Melbourne based, probably only the Victorians that will have.
They are looking to set up country franchises, and I may be interested in the Wodonga based one. I believe there is a need for this type of service around here .
Is this type of service one that anybody would consider using?
How much would you pay to have a set of kitchen knives sharpened?
(assuming that you couldn't do it yourself)
Would you use them for any of the following items:
Scissors, pinking shears, steak knives, serrated knives, overlocker blades, chisels. hand plane blades, jointer knives, tin snips, secateurs, loppers, hedge clippers, axes, tomahawks, lawn edgers, mower blades, hairdressing scissors, drill & spade bits, guillotines, ice skates etc.?
Any other comments?
Thank you for your time.:D
Wood Borer 27th September 2008, 10:09 PM The only service that I would consider using is sharpening of circular saw blades (which isn't listed).
They don't mention chainsaw chain sharpening which may attract some people.
I sharpen everything myself except circular saw blades.
This is probably not the right place to do your market research as most of us are seriously into sharpening. For example, I might sharpen my hand planes, chisels and chainsaw several times per day.
Good luck with your decision.
Geoff Dean 27th September 2008, 10:15 PM WB, it is not the only place I am doing research, probably more interested in whether anyone has heard of them. Good or bad. :D
I realise that most people here would do most of their own sharpening, and the list is only a sample of some of the things they may sharpen. Chainsaws and circular saws were not on the list I have seen, but maybe something to consider if there was enough call for it.
Wood Borer 27th September 2008, 10:23 PM I understand Geoff.
To answer your question, I have not heard of them but perhaps I am not typical of your potential customers.
China 27th September 2008, 10:45 PM I ran owned and ran a sharpeneing shop for 5 years, most of the items they list you will never see, items tthat you will be asked to sharpen are clipper blades, hair dressing scissors router cutters drills, guillotines require precision machines if you stuff one up you will never see another one. I 'm not trying to be a wet blanket, just do your research it's not all beer and skittles, like they will make it sound you will also be competing with multinational company's diguised as being Australian, who will undercut your prices untill you disapear as I said do your reasearch and good luck
Honorary Bloke 27th September 2008, 11:10 PM This is probably not the right place to do your market research as most of us are seriously into sharpening.
With all due respect WB, I think this is more perception than reality. True, there are a lot of sharpening posts, but even if 100 members (okay, 1,000 :) ) are seriously into sharpening, that leaves thousands of others who are too lazy, puzzled, or unequipped to do a proper job.
I think the potential for saw blades, chisels, and plane blades (as well as other things) might be quite high if marketed and priced properly.
TomH 28th September 2008, 09:13 AM I worked in a butchers shop for 4 years or so when I was going through university. These guys use knives day in day out but have no interest in sharpening knives. I used to do it for them every weekend, but there was also a guy on a motorbike who came around all the trade shops and sharpen everything. He had a grinder mounted on the back of his bike a did a pretty good job. I recall he charged around $5 for a set of knives, so he would be lucky if he made $20 from each shop he visited.
For everyday sharpening, you will be competing against the small shoe fixer / key cutting / engraving shops. For the specialised stuff, you will be competing against the larger machine shops. I'm sure there is a market out there, but how profitable it is is questionable.
Regards,
Tom
Geoff Dean 28th September 2008, 05:12 PM Thanks to all who have replied, you have thrown up a few things that I hadn't considered, and a couple that I already had. :D
GraemeCook 30th September 2008, 12:45 PM This is probably not the right place to do your market research as most of us are seriously into sharpening. For example, I might sharpen my hand planes, chisels and chainsaw several times per day.
Good luck with your decision.
Even so, do you really sharpen everything?
How many here sharpen their router bits? Oops, its not on the list!
Cheers
Graeme
Wood Borer 1st October 2008, 10:24 PM Even so, do you really sharpen everything?
How many here sharpen their router bits? Oops, its not on the list!
Cheers
Graeme
Graeme,
You are partly correct but what I don't sharpen stays blunt apart from circular saw blades:B
I know there are a few blunt knives in the kitchen that need sharpening .... one of these days.
Greg Q 1st October 2008, 11:56 PM Even so, do you really sharpen everything?
How many here sharpen their router bits? Oops, its not on the list!
Cheers
Graeme
That's what those small flat diamond files are for. I routinely give my carbide bits a few passes on the inside of each lip after use, never have a dull bit. In fact with a fine diamond they eventually get sharp enough to cut yourself during installation-a thing they never do when new.
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