Meißner sharpening master Alexander Kloß sharpens 200 knives for Atlantis!

Meißner sharpening master Alexander Kloß sharpens 200 knives for Atlantis!

In the tranquil city of Meißen, 26-year-old Alexander Kloß ushered in the world of sharpening. With his newly registered business “Sharpening Shop” in February, he is bringing a breath of fresh air to the craft of knife sharpening. Kloß, who also works as a tool mechanic at Klein Umformtechnik in Ottendorf-Ockrilla, has built himself a belt sander with which he can meet the different sharpening requirements of his customers. A first highlight was sharpening kitchen knives in the Incooknito restaurant, and a major order for the Greek restaurant Atlantis in Radebeul is currently keeping him busy, where 200 cutlery knives are waiting to be sharpened.

Kloß, whose motto is “Preserve instead of throw away,” follows a conscious approach in times of overconsumption and throwaway mentality. With prices ranging from 2.50 to 25 euros, it makes sharpening attractive for private individuals. He currently looks after around six to seven customers per month and also produces his own knives under the names Bumblebee and Venom, which are available for 90 euros. A real stroke of luck for gourmets and cooking lovers!

The sharpening process

But how does the sharpening process actually work? This is where the Kloß concept comes into play, which harmonizes well with the established sharpening services. Because not only Kloß, but also hardware stores like toom offer sharpening services. Customers have to hand in the items to be sharpened at the store, and disassembly is required for gasoline or electric-powered machines - for example circular saw blades or lawn mower blades. The sharpening process usually takes several weeks because there is no on-site processing. After sharpening, the items are made available for collection [toom] reports that it is important to ask for the exact price beforehand.

The technology behind sharpening is as fascinating as it is diverse. Knives lose their sharpness over the years and a new sharpening is recommended every two to three years. Regular sharpening with sharpening steel can prolong this, but it does not replace the basic grinding that is carried out with modern equipment and proven technology. Corundum belts are used here, which enable the cutting geometry to be designed quickly, and special belts ensure a “cool” grind and a finer grinding pattern. Finally, the edge polishing is carried out to achieve the desired level of sharpness [Knives and Scissors Grinder] provides more detailed details about the process here.

A look into the future

But what does the future hold for Alexander Kloß? The young craftsman would like to further expand his sharpening business on a part-time basis and is happy about every customer who has their knives repaired and thus makes a contribution to sustainability. Because with a good hand and a passion for craftsmanship, he has what it takes to become known in the region. After all: Good tools are half the battle, and at Kloß you know that you are backing the right horse!