Sharpening as Recycling

Hello again.

   People talk about "going green" a lot these days. Having your items sharpened instead of replacing them is a great way to save money, and landfill space.   When we hear that folks throw away and replace items like scissors, chainsaw chains, or kitchen knives when they go dull, we cringe. A chainsaw chain ($35.00 new) can be resharpened many times for $6.00 per sharpening. It can be recycled when it is too far gone to sharpen.
  Scissors, knives, and other "cheap" items can also be sharpened inexpensively, and last a very long time.  Yes, you can buy a pair of scissors for $1.00 at the Dollar Store, but when it is dull, will you just toss it in the trash? The same goes for lawn mower blades, pruners, and hand saws.  They can be sharpened. and then recycled.
The next time you are frustrated with a dull tool, don't throw it away, call us or another sharpener. When we say it is dead, THEN you can recycle it or throw it away.  Keep it sharp and safe.

Never A Dull Moment!

How to maintain a knife!

We get a lot of questions about how to maintain a blade after sharpening. Here is Alton Brown with a quick one minute tutorial. We suggest sharpening every six months, but with care, you can make your edge last for a year. BTW, When he says to leave the sharpening to professionals, HE MEANS US!! Death to pull through sharpeners!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRUYAgrsoLw

Carving a turkey properly

Turkey carving is not an art, but sometimes seems that way. Watch Alton's tutorial. He says the first tool to have is...A SHARP KNIFE!!! Happy Carving!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d739zXtd8XQ

How to cut Herbs

Hey,

One of the questions we get all the time is how to easily cut herbs.  . This gets a bit repetitive at times, but the information is good throughout. Of course, on of the first thing he says is... "You need a sharp knife!" :) Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DbBtCq8u40

Here we go again!

Hey.

Here we go again with the Blog. Hopefully, we will get more than one follower.  :)
Here's a great video about how to replace your chainsaw chain, or remove it to bring it to us for sharpening. :) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSU_ary56dA

When is it time to have your Chainsaw sharpened?

Hey,

As a former tree cutter, folks ask me when they should sharpen their chainsaw chain. Here are couple of tips.
    Whenever you feel the chainsaw strain while cutting at a safe angle, that could be a clue your chain needs a touch-up. Listen to the sound of the saw.
   If you see smoke coming off of the wood you are cutting, STOP! I have seen trees catch fire from this. It is time for sharpening.
   Watch the sawdust coming off of the chain while cutting. It should mostly be comprised of large chips. If it turns into a powdery dust, with pieces of ash, It is time to call your sharpening professional.
    Dull chains can also lead to extensive kick-back, the number one cause of chainsaw accidents.  Don't ever force the saw to cut. Let the saw do the work for you! Otherwise, get an ax!

We charge $6.00 to sharpen a chainsaw.

Never A Dull Moment!
Mark

Proper care and feeding of garden tools.

Hey,

It's been awhile.  Let's talk about the proper way to care for your gardening tools.  Before using a hoe, shovel or any digging tool, spray the blade with silicone spray, or WD-40. This will keep the dirt from sticking to your tool., Also run a Green pot cleaning pad over the handle to knock off any splinters. Make sure the edge is true and sharp (We can help you out there. :)  Then go dig dirt.
After you are done working, spray any mud or debris off of the tool, check the edge again, spray the blade again with WD-40 to prevent rust, then place it a safe place.
  If you are using pruning shears, hedge trimmers, etc, the same ideas apply, but remember to keep all nuts and bolts tight. Make sure to clean all of the resins and debris off of the blades as soon as you are done with the tool. These can cause rust to for faster, as well as hamper the sharpness of the tools blades.  Electric hedge trimmers CAN be sharpened when dull, but before putting them away, spray WD-40 of the blade, and run them under power for about 10-15 seconds. This will distribute the lubricant to all moving parts and cutting surfaces.
  I'll keep 'em coming, if you keep coming back.
Mark

How to tell when you mower blade is dull.

Hi Guys, it's been awhile.  Here is a quick tip on how to know when your mower blade needs to be sharpened.   After you cut your grass, look at some of the cut blades of grass. If the tip is angled neatly, your blade is sharp. If there are tears or are ragged edges on the tip, it's time for sharpening. Dull blades can cause openings for fungus, and it can weaken your grasses resistance to disease. Keep your blade sharp to keep your grass healthy!  Never A Dull Moment!
Mark

Mobile Mower blade sharpening

Mower blades reminder. Only $25.00 for mobile mower blade sharpening in the Wichita, Derby area.  We come to your home or business, remove, sharpen, balance and remount your mower blade. You never have to touch a tool, just a phone!  316-293-8293 Never A Dull Moment!

Pruner maintenance

Pruners must be kept sharp to avoid damaging plant stems during pruning.  Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle, if on a living stem, and flush if cutting dead wood.  Never use Anvil style pruners on roses. It crushes the stems, and you might as well cut your roses with a club!  

  We can lubricate, adjust and sharpen all types of pruners. We can even sharpen the saw portion of pole saw pruners. 

Never A Dull Moment!

Mark

New Website is up!

We are so excited to announce that our website at www.mnmsharpeningservices.com is now live! Check us out today.

Hair Shears Sharpened by Bob

Hey.
We are constantly being asked if we sharpen hair shears.  We do not. Our friend Bob Abraham at High Touch Sharpening here in Wichita does! He is factory trained from Bonika Shears, is a longtime groomer, and knows his shears. Check him out at www.topshears.com, or on facebook at www.facebook.com/shearguy.  He's a great guy and a VERY skilled sharpener.
Never A Dull Moment!

Garden tools need maintenance before spring!

We have started to see (and hear) gardens getting turned over. (I know, it's only January, but it's going to be in the 70's this week!) Make sure your gardening tools are sharp before the spring. Shovels, Hoes, spades, All work better and easier when they are straight and sharp. 

 Also, pruning shears should be sharpened in order to protect the plant you are cutting. Dull shears crush the stem instead of cleanly cutting it. This leads to extra stress on the wound, and can cause problems later on.

Spring is coming!

Hey, Ya'll!  Been awhile since my last blog.  Make sure your mower is ready for spring by calling and setting up an appointment for your mower and edger blades. We can pickup, clean and sharpen and deliver your mower in Wichita for $25.00.
The spring rush is probably going to be full, so don't put it it off. :)              316-293-8293        
Never A Dull Moment!!
Mark

Keeping It Sharp

Hey,

Welcome to our first Blogger entry.  I wanted to introduce ourselves to you, and let you know a little about us.  We are a professional knife and tool sharpening business here in Wichita, KS, but we serve the outlying counties as well.  We can professionally sharpen knives, scissors, mower/edger blades, Chainsaws, and most farm/lawn/and garden tools. (including Eco-friendly reel mowers)  We also sharpen woodworking hand tools such as planes, chisels, and hand saws.  We can handle commercial accounts (restaraunts, prof. tree and lawn services, farmers) with multiple items, and our turnaround time is 24-48 hours.  Our quality is second to none, and our quality statement for our knives is simple, "If it doesn't shave, it doesn't leave!"  Meaning, if the knife isn't sharp enough to shave the hair on your arm, it doesn't leave the shop!"
We can also sharpen other things, like fishing hooks and gaffs, metal tipped darts, and industrial and household paper cutters.
Follow us on Blogger or look us up on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/M-M-Sharpening-Services.  If you have a problem with my links, please drop us an e-mail.

Never A Dull Moment!
Mark Madden
Owner, Sharpening Technician
M&M Sharpening Services
mark@mnmsharpeningservices.com

Going Green

 

As we get closer to mower season. some folks are looking to replace their mowers and other tools.  If you are looking to "go green", look at the newer mowers that have lower emissions.  The newer 4-stroke trimmers, saws, etc. are exponentially cleaner than the older 2-stroke ones.  Of course, keeping your mower blades (standard and rotary) sharp keeps your cutting time down, does a better job, and makes your tool work the way it was designed to.
Keeping it sharp!

Mark Madden
M& M Sharpening Services.

Sticky Snow Shovel Solution

Hey.
Here's a trick if we ever get any snow this year. Before you go out to shovel snow, spray your snow shovel with silicone cooking spray, or even vegetable non-stick spray, and the snow won't stick to your shovel. It just slides right off!! Works on plastic and  metal shovels alike.  Try it, you and your back will thank me!

We Are Currently Seeeking Restaurant Accounts

M&M Sharpening Services is currently seeking restaurant and food service accounts.  We come to your place of business, pick up your knives and tools, put a razor edge on them, them return them to you.  We offer incredible quality, fast turnaround times, and very competitive pricing.  If you are in the food industry, or know someone who is, please contact us so we take care of all of your sharpening needs.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT!
Mark Madden
Owner, Sharpening Technician
M & M Sharpening Services

Mower Blades While You Wait.

Call us at             316-293-8293       to set up an appointment, and we will sharpen your mower/edger blades while you wait.  We can also do other things while you wait, like knives and small garden tools. Give us a call, send us an e-mail, and we will be happy to serve you.

Never A Dull Moment!

Lawn And Tree Service Customers Welcome

Hey!
We are happy to announce that we are ready to help lawn and tree service contractors and providers with all of their sharpening needs.  We can sharpen almost anything in your inventory, from mower and edger blades, chainsaw chains (including the small ones for power pole saws), to gas powered hedge trimmers and pole saws.
  As you are gearing up for the season, think about adding M&M for all of your equipment sharpening needs. We offer excellent quality, fast turnaround times,  and very competitive prices. Make an appointment, drop off your tools after your day ends, and pick it up the next morning before you hit your first customer location.
Give us a call, and give us a try.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT!
Mark Madden
Owner, Sharpening Technician

Mower Blade Balancing

Keep an ear  on your mower's sound. If there is a "clacking or clanking" sound under the deck, your blade may be unbalanced. An unbalanced blade doesn't cut properly, and can cause damage to your mower! Bring it in to be balanced and resharpened right away.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT,

Care And Feeding Of Hand Saws

Hey. It's been awhile since our last blog. Let's have a visit about hand saws.If you use hand saws, (cross cut, rip, tree) keeping them sharp will make your life easier.  They cut easier, safer and leave a better cut edge.  Use a good oil on the blade after you are done with the saw. Spray it with WD-40 and wipe off all wood gum/ dust, etc., then leave a light oil sheen on it when you put it away. This will keep rust from building up on it.
Keep the tool sharpened regularly.  We sharpen most hand saws, and are one of only a couple of providers in the area who keep this lost art alive!  Look up our facebook page at www.facebook.com/mnmsharpeningservices.com for pictures of our work.
Always hang the saw so that the teeth are not banging against the shelves and other tools.

Treat your tools well. Remember, tools are an investment, not a commodity!

Never A Dull Moment,
Mark

Reel Mowers

Hey.
Going green with a people propelled reel mower?  Here are a few tips.

1. Buy quality first. Remembers, tools like reel mowers are an investment. I recently worked on one that was over 40 years old!  ( Look for good reel mowers at yard and estate sales!) Look at the quality of the parts, the fit and finish of the welds and connectors.  Check the warranty information, and the availablity of replacement parts.

2.  Learn how to properly adjust your mower.  The blades should just touch the bed. You should hear a little "click, click, click" as they turn.  If they clank together, you can ruin the blades.  If you don't know how to adjust your blades, consult your owners manual. If you don't have a manual, your local reel mower sharpening shop can teach you.

3.  Remember, some grasses are harder to work with than others. Bermuda, Zoysia, etc. are a LOT harder to cut than Fescue.  If you have lots of weeds, consider using a regular rotary mower. Reel mowers aren't made for cutting tall weeds.  Make sure you clear the lawn of any rocks and sticks, as these can damage your mower.

Going green can be good for the environment, but also reel mowers have several side benefits. You get more exercise, your lawn has that nice, lined look,  and for smaller yards, you don't have to store a large mower.
You just hang the reel mower on the wall of the garage!

Drop us a line at mark@mnmsharpeningservices.com or call us for more information!

High End And Tactical Knives

Hey,
  Just a short blog today.  We are happy to sharpen higher end knives (SOG, Benchmade, etc) and Tactical/hunting  knives (KaBar, Buckmaster,etc).  Don't forget, these knives have a different edge than an average kitchen knife. Tactical knives have a blunter grind (almost 30 degrees versus the average 22.5) to keep the edge true during heavy use.  High end knives can be scratched by amateurs, and that can affect the resale value.
Here at M&M;, we use a combination of hand and machine work to get your knives to that razor edge.  Don't forget our shop motto, "It shaves or it doesn't leave!". Meaning, if the knife isn't sharp enough to shave the hair on your arm, it doesn't leave the shop!

NEVER A DULL MOMENT!!

Mobile Lawn Mower Sharpening Service!

Don't forget!We do mobile sharpening for lawn mower blades. For $25.00, we will come to your home or business, (In the Wichita metro area), remove, sharpen, balance, and reset your mower blade. Call us today at            316-293-8293      , or see us on FaceBook at  www.facebook.com/mnmsharpening

Caring For Knives

Hey.
It's time we talked about knife care. With proper care, your knives can last for years. (The knife you see in my videos is one my grandmother used for over 60 years, and is almost 70 years old.)
  Never put your knives in the dishwasher.  The heat and hot water can destroy the handle, take the temper out of the edge, (dulling the knife more quickly) and if the knife has a burr on the edge, can actually put small pieces of steel on your dishes and cups!  Nobody likes to eat steel!
  Carefully hand wash your knives as soon as possible after use, dry them well, them place them back in the block.   Wipe down wooden knife handles with olive oil every two weeks.  This will keep them from splitting and cracking by replacing the natural oil in the wood.
  If you have a knife block with vertical slots, place the knives in upside down.  This keep the knives sharper longer, because your'e not dragging the edge over the wood every time you withdraw the knife for use.
  I will revisit this topic from time to time.

Never A Dull Moment!

"Burning A Chainsaw Chain

If you are cutting hedge, or other harder wood, if your chainsaw chain starts to smoke, or turn blue, STOP! Try a different chain, or bring it in to us for sharpening. "Burning" a chain is usually a result of not having the teeth sharpened right. We place both a top and center bevel on the teeth. This gives you two cutting surfaces on the same tooth, "cutting" your saw time significantly. Never A Dull Moment!

Hunting/Skinning Knives

Hey. 
Deer Season is here. Make sure your hunting/Skinning knife is up to the job.  These knives have a different grind than a kitchen knife, and can be ruined by using a "pull through" sharpener on them! We have over 35 years of experience sharpening these knives.  Call us today.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT!