Knife shop with sharpening counter

Home cooks, chefs and restaurants, hunters, anglers and campers, tradespeople and gift buyers.

Margin on knives and accessories, plus fees per blade for sharpening and repairs. Sales usually rise in autumn hunting season and before the holidays.

• Knowing blade steels and knife types
• Hand sharpening or machine sharpening
• Friendly, trustworthy customer service
• Stock buying and pricing

• Some knives are prohibited under the Criminal Code and its weapons regulations, for example automatic-opening (switchblade-type) knives and knives disguised as other objects. Check the current rules before stocking, and check import requirements with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) if you bring in stock from abroad
• Check with your municipality and province whether any age restrictions apply to selling blades, and set a clear in-store policy for younger customers
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, including cover for sharpening work
• Slow months outside hunting and holiday seasons can strain cash flow
• In Quebec, French-language signage and service rules apply, so check requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your premises, the range of stock you carry and sharpening equipment, so get quotes before committing to a lease.

Some knives are prohibited under the Criminal Code and its weapons regulations, such as automatic-opening knives, so check current rules before stocking. Check CBSA import requirements, any age restrictions with your municipality and province, and French-language signage rules in Quebec.

Monthly revenue estimates are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, stock and how many people use your sharpening counter. Slow months outside hunting and holiday seasons can strain cash flow.