Early Knife sharpener history.

Knife sharpener history started. According to a study done by the University of Colorado at Boulder, prehistoric people developed a method of sharpening tools and stone knives at least 75,000 years ago. Western style knife-sharpening, however, can be directly traced back to the “Moletas” of Northern Italy. The Moletas were knife-grinders who traveled from village to village offering their sharpening services. They originated in the valley of Val Rendena in Italy`s Dolomite Alps, and the first one landed in America in 1886.

Block’s Knife sharpener History.

Our Family’s Knife sharpener history started with my Grandpa Paul Block and my Dad Paul Block Jr. They started sharpening knives and pitching our knife sharpener under the name Easy Sharpener throughout the 70s. they travel around Michigan selling sharpeners on the weekends in gun and knife shows. In 1981 Grandpa Block and my dad bought the manufacturing rights with the original sharpener mold paperwork and patent right, from an old German man, I only knew as Curt from Zug Island Michigan. (Inventor of the original).

In 1988 my dad Trademark our family’s last name, and added into the Knife sharpener Handle, along with 2 knobs on bottom side of sharpener to help keep sharpener steady when working off edge of flat tabletop.

My dad also worked for a steel company Bristol lock nut where they made nuts and Bolts for GM and Fords. Dad worked with a lot of different types of steels. Over the Years my dad experimented with lots of different types of steels in our sharpeners. He tried courser rods, finer rods, D-2 steels,1060, 1095, stainless 440-C, and even diamonds. He was not happy till they worked perfect.

By the 90s Block sharpeners became very popular, sold 10s of thousands of sharpeners to Meat packing plants, Vegetable processing plants, bate shops as many more in Gun and Knife shows all over America.

Grandpa Block pass away in 2003, Later that year I took a road trip to Florida to visit my Wife’s family. My dad suggested I take a couple Hundred sharpeners to sell at the flea market, while wife visits her family. knowing this could help me pay for my trip for Michigan. What I did not expect was walking into a gold mine. Florida turned out to be the perfect place to sell our knife sharpener. I soon found my way into the Gun and knife shows, they were much bigger than anything in Michigan. Me and my wife Billie Jo stayed and worked shows all over Florida for over 19 years be for moving back to Michigan. Just to move back 4 years later.

Me and my wife sold Tens of thousands of our original knife sharpeners over the years also. People in the south loved our Knife sharpeners and Commotion hated us. Our new name was born. (Dixie’s Finest) this was given to us by the people in the deep southern states. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas these became our new stomping grounds. we worked in the biggest sport shows and lots of gun and knife shows.

Block’s Knife sharpeners History, new model.

In 2013 Me and wife Billie Jo felt we needed to update our sharpener. To us they looked plain. We did not want to change the original design of our sharpener too much. People who used of our sharpener knew our name and look, So, we decided to keep the original look. we add a new patent non-slip grip rubber overshot to the sharpeners handle. We put this non-slip grip over the thumb grip and on the bottom sharpener.

Our new Model sharpener was patent approved in 2013 and become a big hit instantly. Our sharpeners come in many color combinations, plus they look and feel much more durable and is much easier to use. In 2015 I was offered to be a guess on Cutlery Corner knife show. I demonstrate my new Knife sharpener and it was a big hit. We became there bestselling knife sharpener in their show’s history of their show. We are still today the best-selling sharpener on the show.

Grandpa Paul Block RIP. Capac Michigan.

Block’s Knife sharpeners history, started in Capac Michigan, now days we are located in Weeki Wachee Florida. Business is operated by me Paul R Block and my bride Billie Jo. our Business is run on our property in our small workshop. We are American made as it gets. Small family Business started by my Grandfather Paul Block, son Paul Block Jr. and me Grandson Paul-R- Block