It's not Henry Westpfal (who we've heard has moved, by the way), but we love seeing the knife grinder truck coming down the street on weekends. The knife man in his old truck stops midblock, rings his bell, and waits for customers to come. The last time we saw him, he also had a dog in the truck with him, seemingly, to just add to the quaint picture...
While we've enjoyed the sight of the knife grinder's truck on our street, we've never actually used his services. We've read on Chowhound that a few of these services around the city aren't the greatest for price and quality of service. What are your experiences, AT readers? Or are you like us, just enjoying the sight from the window?
There are two trucks pictures, both of which we've seen around our neighborhood. One is Bob's Grinding Service, the other is Del Re's Grinding. (Photos via Flickr.)
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I've never used their services, but I sure do appreciate they're around!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdawg/660982400/
I used one in Boerum Hill when I lived there--I think it was Bob's. I was so charmed the first time I heard the banging and looked out my window to see that blast from the past rolling down the street! They did a fine job with my knives, though they were pitifully dull (shame) at the time, so anything was going to be an improvement.
In Denver we have http://www.theknifeguys.com/
They go around to the restaurants and cooking schools and do their thing. Anyone can take their knives into Cook Street School of Fine Cooking to have their own knives sharpened.
Bob looks kinda hunky...
You forgot Mike's General Grinding:
http://brouhaha.blogs.com/brouhaha/2005/12/old_school.html
Also the Times did a story on this a while back:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/08/nyregion/thecity/08knif.html
That guy in front of the Bob truck is actually my husband (who's hunky in real life too). For $8 our knife was ready to slice through a can or two.
That top photo is slightly menacing! I think it's the blank expression. Oh, and the knife.