Sharpening Services
We specialize in wet grinding and Japanese whetstone hand-sharpening using techniques that provide edges specifically suited for the knife or tool, factoring in its steel type, geometry, and use case. We will evaluate each knife and use the best approach to improve performance. This may include adjusting shape, edge geometry, and blade thinness if necessary.
All sharpening orders require a customer account.
Sign in to your account or create one here.
Turnaround Estimates
Timing is workload-dependent! Contact us for current estimates.
Standard service: 4 weeks
Rush service: 48–72 hours*
Please note that thinning work is not eligible for rush service, and that we are busiest leading into the end-of-year holidays—please plan accordingly.
*Rush service is not available at the Ferry Building location. Turnaround time starts when you receive the work estimate notification from our Valencia Street location. Transfers from Ferry Building to Valencia Street generally take 1–3 days.
Sharpening Service Rates
Kitchen Knives
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and stropping.
- Standard: $1.75 per inch
- Rush: $2.50 per inch
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and hand stone finish (or Japanese natural honyama stone as applicable) and stropping.
- Standard: $3 per inch
- Rush: $4.25 per inch
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and stropping (Japanese stone hand finish when applicable).
- Standard: $3 per inch
- Rush: $4.25 per inch
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel or kaiten wheel, hand stone finish and stropping.
- Standard: $5 per inch
- Rush: $7.25 per inch
Pocket Knives
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and stropping. Some exceptions may apply.
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Folding Knives
- Standard: $12+ each
- Rush: $18+ each
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Fixed Blades
- Standard: $18+ each
- Rush: $27+ each
Gardening & Tools
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and stropping. Some exceptions may apply.
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Hand Pruners
- Standard: $20 each
- Rush: $30 each
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Loppers, Shears & Hedge Clippers
- Standard: $30+ each
- Rush: $45+ each
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Machetes & Bush Knives
- Standard: $2.50–4.50 per inch (depending on condition)
- Rush: $3.75–6.75 per inch
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Hatchets and Axes
- Standard: $17+ each
- Rush: $25.50 each
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Paper Cutters
- Standard: $45+ each
- Rush: $60+ each
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Push Mower Blades—By appointment only; call us at 415-355-0773 to schedule.
- Standard: $35 each
- Rush: $52.50 each
Scissors & Shears
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel and stropping. Some exceptions may apply.
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Kitchen, Craft & Pinking
- Standard: $15+ each
- Rush: $22.50+ each
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Fabric Shears
- Standard: $20+ each
- Rush: $30+ each
Scissors must be able to fully open or come apart and go back together to fit on our equipment. We are unable to work on hair shears.
Straight Razors
Includes: Water-cooled Japanese whetstone wheel if needed and hand stone finish (or Japanese natural honyama stone as applicable) and stropping.
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All Straight Razors
- Standard: $40+ each
- Rush: $60+ each
Repair & Extra Services
Additional charges apply as needed:
- Re-shape Bolster: $5+
- Re-shape Edge / Re-profile: $5+
- Re-tipping & Chip Repair: $5+
- Rust Removal & Buffing: $10+
- Thinning & Resurfacing: $40+ (Not eligible for rush service)
- Knife Cleaning Fee: $5 per knife for dirty knives.
We do not work on personal hygiene tools.
In-Person Drop-Off
You can walk in with your knives-in-need and talk to us at the locations and in the drop-off hours listed below. If you’re on our Industry List, you can make an appointment for drop-off. See below.
Method One: Walk-In
We offer walk-in services for the general public. We will evaluate your knife and go over any estimated repairs with you. Turnaround time will be quoted based on current workload.
How to Drop Off
Please bring your knives clean and dry and wrapped securely in thick paper, a towel or in a box. Please do not use excessive amounts of tape to secure your knives. Dirty, sticky, grimy knives are subject to a cleaning fee. We reserve the right to refuse service.
Please plan on spending 5–10 minutes with us as we intake your knives.
A limited number of first-come, first-served loaner knives are available at Valencia Street, with a refundable deposit. Not available from the Ferry Building location or for mail-in orders.
Locations
Valencia Street
Address: 766 Valencia Street, SF, CA
Drop-Off Hours: 11am–5:30pm every day
Process—Valencia Street
You will receive a drop off notification after your intake is processed and a second notification when the order is completed and ready to be picked up.
Please reference your quoted turnaround time prior to contacting us. Name or order number is required to locate your order.
We will hold Valencia Street orders for 90 days. Please contact us if you are unable to make it within 90 days. We will make several contact attempts prior to disposing of your knives. We are not responsible for orders left more than 90 days.
Ferry Building
Address: 1 Ferry Building, Ste. 26, SF, CA
Drop-Off Hours: 11am–4:30pm weekdays; 10am–3:30pm weekends
Process—Ferry Building
You will receive a drop-off notification after your intake is processed and a second notification with a work estimate when the order has been transferred to our main Valencia Street and a sharpener assesses your items.
From the time of this email to when your work begins (quoted turnaround time), you can contact us with any questions, concerns, or changes. If we are not contacted prior to work being started, sharpening and repairs will be performed as quoted.
Once your order has been completed and transferred back to the Ferry Building, you’ll receive a payable invoice and a ready-for-pickup notification. Paying the invoice ahead of time will speed up the pickup process.
Please reference your quoted turnaround time prior to contacting us. Name or order number is required to locate your order.
Due to limited space, we will hold orders at the Ferry Building for 10 days. After 10 days, the order will be sent to our Valencia Street location, where it will be subject to the 90-day pick-up policy.
Please contact us if you are unable to make it within 90 days. We will make several contact attempts prior to disposing of your knives. We are not responsible for orders left more than 90 days.
Method Two: Industry Appointment
We offer appointments at our Valencia Street location for professionals who are on our Industry List. Sign up for the Industry List and schedule an appointment using the links below.
Mail-In
For customers who are unable to visit us in person, we offer mail-in sharpening.
How to Mail In
- Print and Fill Out the Mail-in Sharpening Form. If you cannot print it, please transcribe the information onto a piece of paper for us.
- Include First Free Sharpening Card(s). These cards are included with knives purchased from our store. If applicable, include them with the form.
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Package and Ship Your Knives
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Wrap your knives securely in disposable material like newspaper or paper shopping bags.
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Do not use towels or put tape directly on your knives.
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Add padding to the box to limit any jostling that may damage knife tips, heels, or edges.
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Please do not use excessive amounts of tape to secure your knives. Dirty, sticky, grimy knives are subject to a cleaning fee. We reserve the right to refuse service.
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Send knives to:
Bernal Cutlery
Attn: Mail-In Sharpening
766 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
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Estimate and Payment
We will contact you with an estimate within 24–48 hours of receiving your package. Payment will include $12 for shipping ($25 for international). Additional charges apply for insured values over $1000.
Return Shipping
After payment, we will ship your knives back with insurance and tracking information.
More Information
Re-Handling Services
We do not offer rehandling services at this time. Due to a shortage of Japanese-style wa-handles, we are unable to supply or replace handles on Japanese style knives. We are not able to repair or replace damaged western, riveted handles. Thank you for your understanding.
Cleaning Fee
Please clean your knives prior to bringing them in to be sharpened. Any sticky, smelly, grimy, or otherwise dirty knife that needs to be cleaned before it’s worked on will be subject to a $5 cleaning fee.
Right of Refusal
We reserve the right to refuse service to any knife for any reason.
We do not work on weapons, swords, daggers or any item that is in a quality or condition that will not allow for proper sharpening or that presents safety concerns.
Contact Us
Email: info@bernalcutlery.com
Phone: 415-355-0773; listen to the message to connect to the sharpening department.
Please have your name and order number ready.