Vintage treadle wheel powered knife sharpener - photo

**Jon** · Jul 3, 2019, 01:08 PM

Vintage treadle wheel powered knife sharpener.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...n_fullsize.jpg

Previously:

Sharpening a pencil on a lathe - GIF and comic
Pencil sharpening machine - GIF
Sharpening a huge drill bit - GIF
Vintage razor sharpener - GIF
sharpening table saw blades at Quinn Saw

**Seamus** · Jul 3, 2019, 08:34 PM

Meanwhile, not too long ago

https://patch.com/illinois/westernsp...y-back-in-town

**tonyfoale** · Jul 4, 2019, 05:58 AM

In some small villages here in Spain you will still see knife sharpeners on mopeds. Grinding machine driven off the rear wheel with a stand to hold the wheel off the ground. The practice is dying off as those left are probably the last generation to see this as a career.

When I was a kid, firstly in England and later in Australia I recall mum gathering up the knifes when she heard the sharpener's whistle. They travelled around on bicycles.

**VinnieL** · Jul 6, 2019, 09:34 PM

In the 1960's-1970's there was a guy in South St. Louis, MO. who used to push his knife-sharpening cart around sharpening knives etc. I remember seeing him come through my Grandmothers neighborhood. His cart had a bell that dinged as he pushed it so you knew he was there. I think he retired a very rich man.