Knife sharpening costs $5 to $17.50 per knife in 2026
Knife sharpening costs $5 to $17.50 per knife in 2026. A Sur La Table store page lists $8 per knife. Saveur lists Sur La Table at $5 after the first knife, Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand at $7 to $15, and Korin at $17.50. Bernal Cutlery charges by the inch, from $1.75 per inch. Prices differ by shop, blade length, and knife type.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Saveur | Saveur lists Sur La Table at first knife free then $5, Korin at $17.50 per knife, Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand at $7 to $15 by blade length, KnifeFlight at $57 and Knife Aid at $59 plus $5 shipping for four knives. |
| Bernal Cutlery | Bernal Cutlery lists kitchen knife sharpening at $1.75 per inch standard, $3 per inch hand finish or serrated, $5 per inch for Japanese single bevel, and folding knives at $12 or more each. |
| Sur La Table | The Sur La Table New York store page says knife sharpening is $8 per knife. |
Knife sharpening price by shop
| Shop or type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sur La Table, New York store | $8 per knife | Sur La Table |
| Sur La Table, as listed by Saveur | First knife free, then $5 | Saveur |
| Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand, under 4 inches | $7 | Saveur |
| Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand, 4 to 10 inches | $10 | Saveur |
| Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand, 12 inches and up | $15 | Saveur |
| Korin | $17.50 per knife | Saveur |
| Bernal Cutlery, standard kitchen knife | $1.75 per inch | Bernal Cutlery |
| Bernal Cutlery, Japanese single bevel | $5 per inch | Bernal Cutlery |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shop | Saveur lists Sur La Table at $5 per knife after the first and Korin at $17.50. A Sur La Table New York page lists $8, so stores differ. |
| Blade length | Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand charges $7 under 4 inches, $10 for 4 to 10 inches, and $15 for 12 inches and up, per Saveur. |
| Knife type | Bernal Cutlery charges $1.75 per inch for a standard kitchen knife, $3 for serrated, and $5 per inch for a Japanese single bevel. |
| Method | Bernal Cutlery charges $1.75 per inch for a wheel and strop finish and $3 per inch for a hand finish. Hand work costs more. |
| Rush and mail-in | Bernal Cutlery lists rush at $2.50 per inch and $12 for mail-in shipping. Saveur lists mail-in services at $57 to $59 for four knives. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers sharpening the blade edge. Some shops charge by the knife and some by the inch. Mail-in services may set a minimum, such as four knives, and add shipping. Bernal Cutlery lists $12 for shipping. Chips, broken tips, and repairs may cost extra. Ask if a quote covers cleaning and testing the edge. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Kitchen stores, cutlery shops, hardware stores, and mobile sharpeners all do this work. Some charge a flat price per knife. Others charge per inch of blade, and some add a fee for rush work. Mail-in services often ask for four knives or more and add shipping. Chains may not charge the same price in every store, so check your local shop. Ask how the shop bills before you drop off your knives. Ask if the quote is for one knife or for a whole set.
When you need this
Your knife needs sharpening when it slips off a tomato skin or crushes bread instead of cutting it. If you have to press hard to cut an onion, the edge is dull. A dull knife is harder to control and can slip. Sharpen a knife you use every day about once a year, or more if it gets heavy use.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price is per knife or per inch.
- Ask if there is a minimum number of knives or a shipping fee.
- Ask if serrated or Japanese knives cost more.
- Ask how long it takes and if rush costs extra.
- Compare the total with the range above: $5 to $18 per knife for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Look for a store deal. Saveur says Sur La Table offers the first knife free, then $5, though a store page may list a different price.
- Bring several knives at once. Mail-in services such as KnifeFlight at $57 set a four knife minimum, so a full set gets better value.
- Skip the rush. Bernal Cutlery lists rush at $2.50 per inch against $1.75 for standard, so plan ahead and wait.
- Ask about the price by size. Chicago Knife Sharpening By Hand charges $7 under 4 inches, so a paring knife costs less than a long blade.
- Hone your knives between visits. A honing steel keeps an edge longer, so you need fewer paid sharpenings.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Saveur, Bernal Cutlery and Sur La Table. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to sharpen a kitchen knife?
It runs $5 to $17.50 per knife in 2026. A Sur La Table New York page lists $8 per knife. Saveur lists Korin at $17.50.
Is knife sharpening priced by the inch?
Some shops do. Bernal Cutlery charges $1.75 per inch for a standard kitchen knife and $3 per inch for serrated knives.
Does Sur La Table sharpen knives for free?
Saveur says the first knife is free, then $5. A Sur La Table New York page lists $8 per knife. Prices may differ by store, so call yours.
How much does mail-in knife sharpening cost?
Saveur lists KnifeFlight at $57 and Knife Aid at $59 plus $5 shipping, both for four knives. Bernal Cutlery lists $12 for shipping.
Do serrated knives cost more to sharpen?
Yes, at some shops. Bernal Cutlery charges $3 per inch for serrated knives against $1.75 per inch for a standard kitchen knife.