Rusty Edges Sharpening

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

For many Michiganders, Labor Day means one last summer holiday—and, of course, the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Whether you’re spending the day working, walking, relaxing, or getting ready for another busy week, I hope you’re enjoying the day.

And speaking of labor… apparently I have photographic evidence that I occasionally do some! 😄

Here’s where you’ll find Rusty’s Edges Sharpening this week:

Tuesday I’ll be at the Douglas Farmers Market from 10–2, and I’ll be making sharpening pickups and drop-offs throughout Allegan County before or after the market.

Wednesday is Ottawa County pickup and drop-off day.

Thursday I’ll be at the Allegan Farmers Market from 8–2 for in-person sharpening. Bring your knives, scissors, garden tools, or whatever else needs a fresh edge.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day. Now, back to work!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

Graafschap Hardware
Overisel Lumber Co.
Douglas Farmers Market
Dickinson True Value Hardware Fennville
Visser ACE Hardware
Zeeland ACE Hardware
Bullet Hole Fi****ms
Rivers Ace - Holland
Taylor True Value Rental
Rivers ACE - Grand Haven

09/04/2026

Tomorrow is Central Park Market day!

I’ll be at Central Park Market, 1158 S Shore Dr, Holland, from 11:00–2:00, sharpening knives, scissors, garden tools, and more.

Central Park Market is one of those local neighborhood stores that people really appreciate. I’ve heard it described as a “gem of a neighborhood grocery,” and it’s easy to see why—great meat and deli selections, fresh food, and friendly service. So come do a little shopping while you’re there, and bring your dull tools along for me to sharpen!

Rain or shine, I’ll be there.

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

Central Park Market

09/02/2026

Tomorrow is Allegan Farmers Market day!

I’ll be there with Rusty’s Edges Sharpening from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM, ready to put a fresh edge on your knives, household or sewing scissors, garden tools, and more. Bring your dull tools along, drop them off with me, and then take your time enjoying the market. If I’m not too busy, I’ll do my best to get your sharpening finished while you shop.

There’s plenty to see and taste—fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, microgreens, great choices for lunch, and lots of local vendors. Come support your local farmers and small businesses, and let Rusty’s Edges Sharpening take care of the dull stuff!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

08/30/2026

Tuesday is Douglas Farmers Market day!

The official market hours are 10:00–2:00, although many of us vendors are usually there and ready to go a little earlier.

I’ll be set up toward the back of the market, next to the ball diamond. Bring your dull knives, household scissors, sewing scissors, garden tools, or anything else you’re wondering if I can sharpen. And if you don't have anything to sharpen, stop by anyway. I’m always happy to talk sharpening!

One of the nice things about a farmers market is that you don't have to make a special trip just for one thing. Drop your sharpening off with me, then walk around and see what the other vendors have. Pick up some fresh produce, find something you didn't know you needed, and support the local people who make this market possible.

And if I'm not too busy, I'll try to get your sharpening done while you shop.

School is back, summer vacations are winding down, and it's easy for the farmers market to slip off the weekly routine. But the Douglas Farmers Market is still going, and this is a great time of year to keep supporting our local growers, makers, and small businesses.

So come on down to Douglas Tuesday morning. Shop local, say hello, and maybe get something sharp again while you're at it!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

Douglas Farmers Market
The City of the Village of Douglas, MI Administration- Community Updates

08/30/2026

This past week was a little different than usual. A health concern slowed me down considerably, and I had to take things a bit easier than I would have liked. The good news is that I’m feeling much better now, and I believe I’m back to normal and ready to get back to sharpening!

Here’s where you’ll find me this week:

Tuesday — I’ll be sharpening in person at the Douglas Farmers Market, and I’ll also be making pickups throughout Allegan County.

Wednesday — I’ll be making pickups throughout Ottawa County.

Thursday — I’ll be back at the Allegan Farmers Market for in-person sharpening.

Saturday — I’ll be sharpening at the Central Park Market in Holland, at the local grocery store.

I’ll be making separate posts about each of the markets later this week with more details. For now, I’m just happy to be feeling good again and getting back to doing what I enjoy.

If you have something that needs sharpening, this is a good week to get it to me!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!
Graafschap Hardware
Overisel Lumber Co.
Dickinson True Value Hardware Fennville
Visser ACE Hardware
Douglas Farmers Market
Taylor True Value Rental
Zeeland ACE Hardware
Rivers Ace - Holland
Rivers ACE - Grand Haven
Andy's Ace Hardware
Allegan Farmers Market
Bullet Hole Fi****ms

08/29/2026

I will be out of the shop today. We are doing an out of town event.

The Official Magazine of the Christian Reformed Church

08/26/2026

Rusty’s Sharpening Minute

Sometimes the tool you bring me has a story of its own.

This is an American Corn Cutter, and judging by the original box and the $2.95 price sticker, this one has been around for quite a while.

Here’s the interesting part: the American Corn Cutter is still being made today. The current version uses essentially the same design and original molds that have been around for decades.

The cutter was designed to make several different styles of corn cuts, including whole-kernel, creamed, and shredded corn. It uses adjustable steel blades, and this particular one has certainly seen some use.

The interesting part for me, of course, was the blades.

They were dull, but there was plenty of life left in them. I cleaned them up, sharpened them, and put this old kitchen tool back into working condition.

And there’s another reason sharpening these blades makes sense. I couldn't find replacement blades being sold separately. The complete new cutter sells for around $25.

So when these blades get dull, you don't necessarily have to replace the whole tool. Sometimes you just need to sharpen what you already have.

That’s one of the things I enjoy about sharpening. Not everything that gets dull needs to be thrown away. Sometimes an old tool just needs somebody who knows how to bring the edge back.

And when the tool comes with its original box, that's a pretty nice bonus!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

08/26/2026

Rusty’s Sharpening Minute

This blade looked pretty good.

At least at first glance.

This 10" Disston HHS combination blade has some history behind it. Disston has been making saws since 1840, when Henry Disston started his own sawmaking business in Philadelphia. The company eventually became one of the largest and most respected saw manufacturers in the world.

And this blade still has some life left in it.

HHS (high-speed steel) can produce an exceptionally sharp edge—sharper than carbide in many applications. The downside is that it doesn't hold that edge nearly as long.

But there was something else going on with this blade that you couldn't see just by looking at it.

When I checked it, I found that it was several thousandths of an inch out of round.

That's enough to matter.

So this wasn't simply a matter of putting a fresh edge on the teeth. The blade itself needed attention before those freshly sharpened teeth could do their job properly.

The second picture gives you a close look at the finished teeth.

That's one of the things I enjoy about sharpening. Sometimes the interesting part isn't what you can see. It's what you find when you actually measure and inspect the tool.

A blade with some history behind it doesn't necessarily need to be replaced. Sometimes it just needs someone to pay attention to what it's telling you.

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

08/18/2026

Beautiful morning at the market! ☀️

The Rusty Edges Sharpening booth is set up and ready to go. If your knives, scissors, garden tools, or other cutting tools need some attention, bring them by today. I’ll get them cutting the way they should!

Sharp is not the goal. Cutting is!

08/17/2026

We missed last Tuesday! There is a cut off time for confirming the market every week. On Monday afternoon, if the forecast is foreboding, a decision needs to be made. Thank you to our market manager and the The City of the Village of Douglas, MI Administration- Community Updates for making the decision.

This week we plan to be open. Bring those knives and tools you were planning to bring last week. Stop at my booth first. I will try to have the tools back to new condition when you have completed your shopping.

Look for me near the ball diamond in the back.

Making Douglas Sharp Again
Sharp is not the goal, cutting is