Mobile knife and tool sharpening service
Drive to cafes, restaurants, salons and tradies and sharpen knives, scissors and tools on the spot.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A van or ute set up with grinders, whetstones and belt sharpeners so you can sharpen kitchen knives, hairdressing scissors, garden tools and workshop blades at the customer's door.
Your first three steps
- Learn the craft through a course or by practising on lots of secondhand knives and scissors, then price your per-item rates against local competitors
- Fit out a van or ute with a power sharpening setup and get public liability insurance
- Visit nearby cafes, butchers and salons with a free trial sharpen and offer a regular monthly visit
Who pays
Restaurants, cafes, butchers, hair and pet groomers, tradies, gardeners and households who want a quick turnaround.
How it makes money
Price per item (for example per knife or pair of scissors), with regular scheduled visits to commercial clients and a minimum call-out charge for small jobs.
Skills that help
- Steady hands and patience
- Knowing different blade types and angles
- Customer service and reliability
- Route planning
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether it covers work on customers' premises and sharpened items
- Check your council's rules on parking and operating a mobile service in residential and commercial areas
- Noise and sparks from grinders, plus safety gear such as eye protection and cut-resistant gloves
- Damaging expensive items like hairdressing scissors, so be clear about what you will and won't sharpen
- Register for an ABN, and GST once your turnover reaches the threshold
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile sharpening business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your vehicle setup, grinders and sharpening gear, and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes before you buy equipment.
How much can a mobile knife sharpener earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many customers and regular business clients you build up. It can start from about 15 hours a week.
What rules should I check before starting a mobile sharpening service?
Check that your public liability insurance covers work on customers' premises and sharpened items. Also check your council's rules on parking and operating a mobile service, and register for an ABN, plus GST once turnover reaches the threshold.
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