Meet Ken

Ken has always appreciated a sharp edge on his tools and gear. Now he’s making a business from this passion! Having worked as an apprentice and journeyman carpenter for several years, he prided himself on having the right quality tool and maintaining it properly, which included sharpening. Whether it was drill bits, lathes, plane sanders, and yes cutting knives, he always tried to keep a sharp edge on his tool. He first started sharpening his blades on a simple bench stone and leather strop. He also experimented with other types of whetstones and other honing tools to keep them sharp.

After working in construction, Ken worked as a maintenance director at a local school system for 20+ years. In this role, he worked on all sorts of mechanical and structural problems around the buildings. The challenges would vary, but his tool room was always his happy place where he could work and troubleshoot.

Having a passion for the outdoors, Ken hiked hundreds of miles on the North Country and Appalachian trails in his younger years. A reliable EDC knife was an essential part of his gear. Later in life Ken picked up hunting! Hunting introduced him to a whole new appreciation for knives. Every hunter needs a trusted and sharp knife for cleaning deer.

Retiring from the school system in 2021, now Ken is pursuing his passion for keeping knives sharp. He has turned his 1,000+ sq.ft garage into a workshop which is heated so he can sharpen all year round! Any customer is welcome to stop by the workshop to see the sharpening process. Ken loves showing people how it all works.

Family & Faith

Ken is way more than just a knife sharpener. Since giving his life to Jesus Christ in 1975, he has been serving God in a variety of ways. His involvement at church includes serving on the Elder board and the gospel with his community. He is also an active member of Gideon’s International, a ministry of businessmen who are passionate about spreading God’s Word.

His favorite thing to do now is spending time with his family, especially his 6 grandkids. His oldest son served in the Marine Corp, fighting in Iraq soon after 9/11. Having a child in the service has instilled a deep appreciation for his country. His younger son is a pastor, currently serving at a church on Detroit’s East Side. Ken loves going to his grandkids games, recitals, and performances. He enjoys watching the Red Wings but his grandkids are his favorite players.

Ken also enjoys a great cup of coffee. He only buys beans from local, independent roasters and prefers a good pour over.. He’s not a coffee snob, but he is getting close! He enjoys supporting local, small businesses as much as he can.

Kens vision for NewEdge is to provide people quality service in a practical way.