FAQ
What is Sharply?
Sharply is a mobile knife and tool sharpening service. I come to your home, workplace, or business and professionally sharpen your knives and tools on-site.
This means you get your tools back sharp and ready to use the same day, without having to drop them off or go without them for weeks.
Can I purchase your service as a gift?
Yes! Knife & tool sharpening makes a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member who enjoys cooking, gardening, carpentry or sewing.
Please reach out if you would like to purchase my service as a gift for someone in your life, as I can provide a gift certificate upon request.
Can you sharpen hairdressing scissors/shears/
clippers?
Currently I do not have the correct equipment to sharpen hairdressing scissors, shears or clippers to a high standard.
However if there is enough demand, I would consider upgrading my set up in the future.
If this is something you are interested in, please let me know!
Where are you based and where do you travel?
I am based in Beechworth, Victoria and service the North East Victoria & NSW Border Region. Generally, I am able to travel within 40km of Beechworth, but I'm happy to travel further if you have a long list of items needing sharpening.
If you're nearby but unsure, feel free to reach out - I may still be able to help.
How long does sharpening take?
Most jobs take around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how many items you have and their condition.
Larger jobs (like restaurant knives or multiple tools) may take longer.
Do I need to be home when you come?
No!
Many customers leave their tools in a safe agreed location (front porch, garage, etc.) and payment can be handled remotely.
Can you fix chipped or damaged knives?
Often yes.
Small chips, rolls, or dull edges can usually be repaired.
However, severe damage or very thin blades may not always be repairable.
If something cannot be safely sharpened, I’ll let you know before starting.
How sharp will my knife be?
Your knife will be restored to a sharper-than-new, practical working edge suitable for its intended use.
The goal is long-lasting sharpness, not just a temporary razor edge.
Do you sharpen serrated knives?
Yes — most serrated kitchen knives can be sharpened.
Do you restore very rusty or heavily damaged tools?
Sharply focuses on sharpening, not full restorations.
Light rust or grime is usually fine, but extremely rusted or heavily damaged tools may be declined due to safety concerns.
Do I need to clean my tools first?
A quick rinse or wipe is appreciated.
Please avoid handing over tools that are heavily caked in dirt, grease, or sap.
I will do minor cleaning if needed, but deep cleaning or restoration is not part of the service.
How do I pay?
The minimum spend for your location is payable upon booking. Any additional fees for extra items or bigger repairs are are payable when I arrive.
Payment can be made via:
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Card
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Bank transfer
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Cash (if arranged)
Payment is usually completed after the sharpening is finished.
Does having my knives sharpened wear them down and decrease their life span?
To achieve a sharp edge, you must remove some amount of steel from the blade.
However the method of removing this material matters tremendously.
At Sharply, we primarily use accurate jigs on a water-cooled whetstone system. This is a very efficient way to remove as minimal material as possible, whilst getting you a super sharp edge without heating the material.
This method greatly increases the longevity of your knives.
What if I'm not satisfied?
At Sharply we have a sharper-than-new guarantee.
You can read the details of our guarantee here.
Do you work with businesses?
Yes.
Sharply works with:
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Cafes
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Restaurants
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Butchers
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Tradespeople
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Horticulturlists & landscapers
Regular sharpening schedules can be arranged.
Is the sharpening done inside my home?
No.
Sharpening is done outside from a mobile setup in my vehicle.
This keeps things tidy and safe while still being convenient for you.
How can I tell whether a tool or knife needs sharpening?
Cutting tools gradually become dull with normal use. When edges lose their sharpness, tasks become harder and tools can actually become more dangerous to use.
Common signs that tools need sharpening include:
Kitchen knives
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Struggling to slice tomatoes or soft foods
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Slipping off food instead of cutting into it
Garden tools
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Crushing stems instead of cutting cleanly
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Taking much more effort to prune
Woodworking tools
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Tearing wood fibres instead of producing clean cuts
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Requiring extra force during use
Keeping tools sharp not only improves performance but also helps extend the life of the tool.
How often should I have my knives & tools resharpened?
This depends on the tool, how often you use it and whether it is used correctly for its intended purpose.
For most households, kitchen knives benefit from sharpening every 6–12 months, depending on how often they are used.
Signs your knives may need sharpening include:
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You need to press harder when cutting
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Tomatoes or onions squish instead of slicing cleanly
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The knife slips off food instead of biting in
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Cutting feels slow or frustrating
Regular sharpening keeps knives safer and more enjoyable to use. A sharp knife requires less force and gives you much more control while cutting.