Minnesota Startup Reinvents A Forgotten Kitchen Chore

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to prepare a meal with a dull knife. Not only does it make cooking harder, but it can also be dangerous. Yet many people either don’t know how, or simply don’t take the time, to properly sharpen their knives as needed.

One Minnesota business is taking a stab at solving that problem. For anyone with one knife or an entire set that needs sharpening, they’ve created a new way to make the process simple and convenient.

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Vivront, a specialty knife shop located in Edina, Minnesota, already sells a wide variety of high-quality kitchen knives. Beyond sales, the shop also offers professional repair and sharpening services, along with hands-on classes that teach customers proper knife skills and sharpening techniques.

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Minnesota Business Makes Knife Care Easier

After noticing that many of their customers were not maintaining their knives as recommended, owner Joseph Rueter decided to launch Sharpow, a new mail-order sharpening service designed to fit into busy lives.

The concept is simple. Customers purchase a “Sharpow Kit,” pack it with the knives or scissors that need sharpening, and mail it back. Within three days, the items are returned sharpened and ready to use. The cost is $9.99 per knife, including shipping, with discounts for additional items.

Rueter told Twin Cities Business, “Bringing knife-sharpening to the top of the to-do list is tough. Our hope is to put professional knife-sharpening in the flow of your everyday.”

Currently, Sharpow kits are available at Kowalski’s Markets across the Twin Cities, with plans to expand to additional grocery stores, making sharpening as easy as picking up groceries.