Knife shop with sharpening counter

Home cooks, chefs, hunters, fishers, campers, tradies and gift buyers.

Margin on knife sales and accessories like sheaths, whetstones and boards, plus a fee per knife sharpened. Sharpening brings people back regularly.

• Product knowledge of steels and blade types
• Sharpening by hand or machine
• Customer service and retail basics
• Stock buying and tracking

• Knife laws differ by state and territory. Some types (such as flick or butterfly knives) are restricted or prohibited in places, so check before ordering stock
• Age rules for selling knives (often 18+) and any rules on display and storage, so check with your state police
• If importing, check Australian Border Force rules, as some knives need permission or are banned
• Public liability and contents insurance, plus the cost of a lease and fit-out
• Sharpening injuries and the need for safe handling of blades in the shop

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on your lease, fit-out, stock and sharpening equipment. These are estimates only, so get local quotes for rent and stock before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range, sharpening trade and opening hours. That is revenue before rent, stock and other costs.

Knife laws differ by state and territory, and some types may be restricted or prohibited, so check before ordering stock. Also check age rules for sales with your state police, Australian Border Force rules for imports, and insurance.