Market stall knife sales and sharpening

Market shoppers, home cooks, small cafes and restaurants, and people with blunt knives at home.

A fee per knife sharpened, plus margin on knives, whetstones and honing rods sold from the stall.

• Sharpening on stones or a guided system
• Friendly selling at a stall
• Basic money handling and card payments
• Planning market days

• Market operators and councils may have rules on stalls and permits, so check before you apply
• Public liability insurance, which most markets require
• State knife laws on selling to under-18s and on which knives you can sell or display in public
• Cuts and injuries when sharpening, plus noise and metal dust, so use safety gear
• Income depends on weather and market days

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your sharpening gear, stall setup, stock and insurance. These are estimates only, so price your own equipment before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many market days you work, your location and what you sell. Income also depends on weather and market days.

Check market operator and council rules on stalls and permits before you apply. Also look into public liability insurance, which most markets require, and state knife laws on selling to under-18s and on displaying knives in public.