May Is the Month Your Blades Have Been Waiting For
The snow melted. The grill came out. The yard is growing fast after all that spring moisture — and it isn’t going to maintain itself.
May is when everything that cuts, slices, and chops gets put to work. Kitchen knives are breaking down whole chickens and prepping for backyard cookouts. Cleavers are getting used again. Lawn equipment is running weekly. And every one of those blades is either sharp enough to do the job right — or it’s fighting you.
This month, Erik “the Blade” Sharpener is at more locations than any other month of the season. If you’ve been putting off professional sharpening, May is the time to stop.
This Month’s Sharpening Opportunities
Farmers Markets & Community Markets
- The Local — Parker Opening Day — May 10. Every Sunday through October, 8 AM–1 PM. thelocalcolorado.com
- Backyard Market in Black Forest — Season 7 Opening Day — May 23. Saturdays 9 AM–1 PM through mid-October. thebackyardmarkets.com
- Briargate Farmers Market — Opening Day — May 27. Wednesdays 9 AM–2 PM through September. springsfarmersmarkets.com
- Banning Lewis Ranch Community Market — Opening Day — May 28. Thursdays 4–7 PM through August.
Pop-Up Events
- Colorado BBQ — On-Site Pop-Up — May 16. Bringing the stone right to the source. 719bbq.com
Backyard Farm Shop Fridays in May, 11 AM–4 PM. Drop by without an appointment and get sharp on your schedule.
Mobile House Calls & Drop-By Appointments Prefer to stay home? Good call. Mobile appointments come to you — no hauling a block of knives anywhere. Available throughout the month outside of market days. Schedule here.
Why This Month Matters: BBQ Season + Spring Yard Work
Two seasonal realities hit at the same time in May.
The grill is back. That means whole chickens, briskets, pork shoulders, and prep work that punishes dull blades. A knife that can’t hold an edge isn’t just frustrating — it’s a safety issue. You’re applying more pressure, losing control, and doing more damage to expensive cuts of meat.
The yard needs attention. Colorado got real moisture this spring. Grass, shrubs, and overgrowth don’t wait. Dull mower blades tear rather than cut, stressing the grass and leaving your lawn looking rough a week after you mow. Loppers and pruning shears in bad shape are slower and harder on your hands.
Professional sharpening isn’t a luxury. It’s maintenance. It’s the difference between a tool that performs and one that frustrates you into replacing it early.
The Case for Professional Sharpening (Short Version)
Your knives cost real money. So did your outdoor equipment.
A pull-through sharpener removes metal aggressively and destroys the geometry that makes a quality blade work. Whetstone sharpening done without training produces inconsistent results. Professional sharpening — done on calibrated equipment, at the correct angle for each specific blade — restores the edge the manufacturer intended.
It also extends blade life significantly. A knife sharpened properly and maintained regularly lasts decades. A knife run through abuse and inconsistent DIY sharpening doesn’t.
Want to understand what’s happening to your edge between sharpenings? This guide on knife care and maintenance is a good place to start.
Don’t Wait for the Line
Markets fill up fast once the season gets going. Mobile appointments have limited availability. May 10, May 23, May 27, and May 28 are all opening days — foot traffic will be high, and appointment slots go quickly.
Bring your kitchen knives, cleavers, scissors, outdoor tools, and lawn equipment. Bring whatever has an edge that isn’t doing its job.
