Anthony Burden with the tools of his trade. (Photo by David Vilacoba Click to enlarge.)
By DAVID VILACOBA
Anthony Burden does not have a dull job.
Like many other 21-year-olds, Burden, a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, has worked in places like restaurants over the summer. This year, he’s delved into a more obscure job: knife sharpening.
Burden recently started his own mobile sharpening business – Red Bank Sharpening – and has been servicing Red Bank and the Monmouth County area for the past three months.
Burden operates out of his car and brings his sharpening table directly to customers, who range from neighbors to restaurants. He works on a variety of blades, such as standard kitchen knives, pocket knives and gardening tools. He’ll even do hair-cutting scissors.
So far, Burden says Red Bank Sharpening has been successful. He estimates he garners around ten customers per week.
“I’ve had really positive feedback from the residents of Monmouth County,” Burden said. “I’ve had no difficulties, honestly.”
Burden first encountered knife sharpening when he was a boy scout. There, he was introduced to a whetstone, a common sharpening tool.
His hobby became a business venture after encouragement from a friend who had also started a sharpening business.
From there, Burden began to learn about the industry and practice sharpening techniques.
“I’ve always been really good at researching stuff,” Burden said. “It was just putting about three hours into reading articles, and then sharpening.”
However, when it came to actually starting the business, Burden had some reservations.
“Honestly, the cost was definitely a factor for me. I had to definitely scrape up some money to get that started,” Burden said.
Eventually, after getting positive feedback, he decided to take the leap and purchase a number of sharpening belts and other equipment.
Despite the pressures of running a business, Burden says entrepreneurship came naturally for him.
“I’ve always been selling stuff, so I’ve always had a knack for getting my name out there that way,” he said.
Self-employment has also helped him balance schoolwork and academic requirements.
“There’s so much stuff that I have with internships and schoolwork,” Burden said. “It’s just so nice being able to make my own hours and know that I’ll be comfortable.”
Nowadays, there are a plethora of do-it-yourself sharpening tools, which seem to eliminate the need for a human sharpener. Still, Burden says the skill, technical knowledge and machinery of human sharpeners give them an edge over when it comes to doing the job right.
Burden also contrasts his in-person business to other sharpening businesses that have clients send their knives.
“It’s just nice to have someone that’s actually shaking your hand and stuff like that. That customer interaction is definitely something that keeps me going,” Burden said.
This community aspect is something Burden, a lifelong Red Bank resident, says has helped his business.
“It’s been really nice to have that background for clients,” he said. “People know we’re cool people and can trust us.”
Throughout his experience, Burden has enjoyed providing quality work to customers.
“It’s really nice having a skill that I know I’m good at, and that other people enjoy the fact that I’m good at,” he said.
Burden’s father, who passed away last year, has also been a source of motivation.
“I definitely know that he’s proud of me doing this,” Burden said.
In the three months that he has run Red Bank Sharpening, Burden has found the experience enjoyable, and would like to continue it after college. He encourages other young people to find a job that they are passionate about.
“If you have a good smile and you’re able to wrap your head around just getting it all set up, it’s just a really fun experience to have,” he said.
