The Sharp Brothers Help Cooks Keep Their Edge
Taking form in 2004, The Sharp Brothers started as a father and son duo. Lee has been sharpening for over 50 years. He began as a young boy growing up on a farm in southern Illinois and now sharpens the knives of top chefs, frivolous home cooks, and unusual yokels. He possesses a certain finesse and wisdom which can only be accumulated with decades of care and respect towards maintaining the functionality of our favorite edged tools. Austin, his son, with fine eyes and nimble hands has been sharpening since he was 14.
Over the years they have trained other sharpeners and placed them under their wings on an apprentice program. They work under taut and tame supervision to become master sharpeners. You can meet us at our Shorewood, WI shop, farmers markets, knife sharpening parties, block parties and more.
The Sharp Brothers use state-of-the-art equipment. Their 400 gritted belt sander lays a fine burr and a high-speed leather wheel removes it making the perfect edge without taking much steel off. They have sharpened over 100,000 knives and counting in the Milwaukee area.
One of our founders, Austin, has relocated to the Bay Area to bring sharp knives to home cooks all over the Bay Area. You can find him and his staff performing at local farmers markets, sharpening at block parties and making house calls all over the Bay Area.
Sharpening charges are assessed, per knife, depending on length, condition, and if serrated. The Sharp Brothers sharpen many other tools including garden equipment, scissors, wire cutters, sewing shears, lawnmowers and salon scissors. Tired of dull knives or tools? Contact the Sharp Brothers today.
Indeed, The Sharp Brothers act as “Knife Whisperers” as they are often asked to mediate the dissonance between knives and their owners. The knives talk to the Sharp Brothers during sharpening. The sharpeners then translate the information to owners with the collective goal of improved care and appreciation for their knives. See our We the United Knives of Your Kitchen Drawer for more information.
Sharpening Around the World
We are always curious and thrilled to meet sharpeners on our travels. It is fascinating to share techniques and see unique styles. Below our some sharpeners from around the world we've had the pleasure of meeting!
Our Team
Lee Frederick
Co-founder - Master Sharpener - Favorite sharp thing: "Tojiro Sha Ra Ku Mono"
Austin Freese
Co-founder - Master Sharpener - Favorite Sharp Thing: "Reshaped 7-inch vintage carbon steel santoku"
Linda Freese
Shop Queen / Best Mom - Favorite Sharp Thing: "I like a sharp tongue and am the owner of one!"
Mason Meyer
Master Sharpener - Favorite Sharp Thing: “My Cleudheamh-mor” (Celtic spelling of claymore.)
Nate Zimmerman
Blade smith and Master Sharpener - Favorite sharp thing: "Hmm, a sharp cheddar maybe, or a good sharp chef knife"
Tim Voss
Master Sharpener and Chef - Favorite Sharp Thing: "Benriner"
Tomas Schlenker - Retired, off to med school!
Master Sharpener - Favorite Sharp Thing: "I do not discriminate, all sharp things are like my children."
Aidan Flannery
Rotjana Donald
Joe McWilliams
Amy Donald