MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Chris "Doc" O'Connell sharpens the blade of a circular saw. Advertisement

One of the things you rarely hear about anymore is the local knife sharpener. We don't really think about having scissors, knives, chain saws, or axes sharpened; generally we buy a new one. However, even new ones need sharpening, according to Chris 'Doc' O'Connell. "Most people don't realize that even new items must have their blades sharpened, and that's what I'm here to do for them," said O'Connell.

Leaving the rat race of Riverside, Calif., O'Connell came to Pahrump two years ago. At first he tried working for others but wanted to start his own business more. With his wife working in Las Vegas, he decided it was time; thus the Irish Edge was opened in Nov. 2005. Located at 111 Country Place Road, O'Connell has nearly all the equipment (he said he plans to get more specialty pieces) needed to sharpen even things that don't need sharpening.

O'Connell said, "I charge about mid-level costs, 25 cents a point. I also offer free pickup and delivery. If you don't have the time to bring it to me, I will come and get it, sharpen it, and bring it back to you. I even sharpen bayonets and swords, either historic or new."

O'Connell got the idea for his business after helping a friend who had a like business. "I found it interesting and I've always enjoyed working with metal. My friend and I even made the butterfly that's on the front of my house." [It's beautiful.] He said it took over 30 hours to complete the project.

Of course his business relies on other businesses as well as individuals to make a profit. "When I started, I had a busy time and it was great. But due to the illegal aliens that live around here, many of those businesses have gone out of business because they couldn't compete with them. So, this has had a negative impact on my business."

O'Connell said the hardest blades to sharpen are those with carbide points. Carbide is a harder metal and takes longer to sharpen. He said, "Any new blade has to be sharpened, I've never seen one that was balanced, round or sharpened." One service he plans to offer in the near future is point replacement. When this becomes available, buying new will not be needed.

For those young people who love working with metal and hope to one day have their own business, O'Connell advises that they, "Stay in school, and take all the classes they can that are designed for working with metal."

The Irish Edge can be contacted by calling 775-751-8577 or 775-513-3255.