Every knife, blade, or cutting tool requires a different approach.
Our sharpening services make use of a range of tools and
equipment to bring your tools back to their original performance.
How We Sharpen
Japanese Waterstones
Japanese waterstones, also known as whetstones or bench-stones come in a variety of materials and grits and have been used around the world for centuries to keep knives, weapons and cutting tools sharp. They offer several benefits over other methods in certain circumstances.
Japanese Waterstones are our choice for Japanese knives and other special knives as they offer a greater sense of control with slower material removal. This is important with these knives as they are made to be exceptionally thin behind the cutting edge giving them their superior slicing performance. By removing the least amount of material necessary to achieve a new apex in fresh steel we preserve the geometry and performance of the knives for longer, thus extending their lifespan. Eventually they may require blade thinning.
Tormek T8 Precision Grinding System
This is a slow speed precision grinding system which utilizes a trough to run the sharpening wheel in water allowing wet grinding, this ensures that no edge is ever burnt.
It works in conjunction with a variety of jigs and guides ensuring precise repeatable grinds at chosen angles.
We use this machine for scissors, chisels, some knives, etc.
Mechanized Sharpening Systems
A variety of belt sanders and grinders with various wheels and belts are used for most knives and garden tools.
These offer a faster removal of material for repair work and initial setting of bevels, while still giving a choice in edge refinement.
They are always used with extreme caution to prevent overheating of the steel. We have a water bath on hand to keep temperatures in check, preserving the integrity of your tools.
Custom Sharpening Setups: Tailored Solutions for Irregular Blades
Sometimes angles, bevels and shaped cutting edges do not lend themselves very well to the above methods. In these cases a plan can sometimes be made using different materials and abrasives to be able to sharpen them. This could be using the wheel in a different orientation or using a series of high grit wet and dry sandpaper over an aptly sized object.
About Maritime Sharpening
Welcome to Maritime Sharpening, where blades meet precision. As a small, home-based business, I take pride in offering professional sharpening services to the Greater Halifax Area and beyond.
My name is Ken, and I own Maritime Sharpening. My background in sharpening and knives began when I was very young. I already had an obsession with knives, axes and other sharp objects. Knowing this, my father gave me a cheaper version of a Swiss Army Knife and showed me how to sharpen it.
Over the years, I honed my skills, experimenting with different techniques and various types of stones, always freehand sharpening. I would sharpen knives for anyone who wanted their knives sharpened, work colleagues, friends and family.
I decided to do this professionally and registered Maritime Sharpening in New Brunswick in 2022, where we lived at the time. In early 2023 we moved to Nova Scotia and brought the business with us.
While I have embraced mechanized sharpening methods for most tasks. I still love to use Japanese Waterstones and do so when the blade requires it.
Running a sharpening business has allowed me to sharpen many things I would not have otherwise sharpened, and has also given me the opportunity to sharpen and repair some beautiful knives and hear the stories of many precious heirloom knives and fantastic first “nice” knives. I look forward to seeing your knives and tools, and hearing their stories.
At Maritime Sharpening, I don’t just sharpen blades; I revive their purpose and honor their history.