The Block Knife Sharpener is a third-generation, family-owned American business whose roots trace back over 50 years. Known colloquially as the maker of the “greatest knife sharpener since the Stone Age,” the company operates out of Somerset, Kentucky, but its history spans from Michigan to Florida. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Origins in Capac, Michigan (1969)
where Legends began
The company’s foundation began in 1969 in the small town of Capac, Michigan. It was established by Paul Block Sr. alongside his son, Paul Block Jr. They set out to engineer a handheld sharpening tool built out of durable polypropylene and steel. Instead of grinding or tearing metal away from a blade like standard carbide sharpeners, they designed a mechanism that utilized highly specialized, flexible steel rods. These rods were built to flex and hone the knife’s original factory bevel (adjusting anywhere from 17° to 28°), removing microscopic burrs without wearing out expensive knives. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
The Florida Expansion (2004)
Following the passing of Paul Block Sr. in the early 2000s, the third generation took the helm. In 2004, grandson Paul Block III and his wife, Billie Jo Walker, took a batch of Grandpa Block’s original hand-built sharpeners down to Florida. Originally intending to sell them at local flea markets and gun shows for extra pocket money while visiting family, they quickly discovered a massive, passionate demand. Deciding to stay permanently, they spent years traveling across the United States from coast to coast, setting up live demonstrations at outdoor sport, fishing, and gun shows to build a massive grassroots following. [1, 2, 3]
Modern Innovations and Patents (2013–Present)
Over the decades, the family continued to refine the classic 1969 design. [1, 2]
2013: They integrated a softer, non-slip thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) overlay across the hard plastic handle. This created a dedicated non-slip thumb grip, making free-hand outdoor sharpening significantly safer and more stable. [1, 2, 3]
Cutlery Corner Milestone: Shortly after receiving the patent, the family showcased their updated tool on the famous Cutlery Corner television shopping network, where it rapidly exploded into the program’s top-selling item. [1]
Today, the Block Sharpener remains true to its roots. Every sharpener is American-made, backed by a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, and the family continues to actively tour regional shows—giving free knife sharpening demonstrations to anyone who walks up to their booth. [1, 2, 3, 4]
To see exactly how the patented flexible rods flex and hone a knife without tearing the steel, you can watch this live exhibition:
Block sharpeners words to rolling song It started back in ’69
A father and a son
Grandpa Paul and Paul Junior
A legacy begun
In Capac, Michigan
They built the standard out of steel
A drive for pride and perfect edges
You can see and feel
But Grandpa rests beneath the stone
Still the long road’s callin’
Three generations carry on
The work that started with them all
From a little town called Capac
Down to South Miami Beach
They hit every single gun show
That the highway lines can reach
They sharpen thousands of knives for free
With a steady hand
The Block name keeps on growin’
We’re out to make our stand
Johnny Blades is rollin’
The best damn sharpener in the land
They traveled to the deep South
Where we met an angry man
Selling sharpeners, sizing us up
Said, “I know your kind first-hand.”
“I think you’re selling snake oil
I’ve seen your kind before
You better say your prayers now, man
And head on out the door.”
Then Billy Joe jumped in, said
“Give you your knife, I’ll make it free.”
He touched the edge, his finger bled
He steady what he’d see
He said, “Who the hell are you?”
As he backed away in fright
I switchblade Billy cutthroat boy
From Detroit then massed Johnny by my side
And he don’t play
So save your prayers for another man tonight
And the headlights cut the darkness
On a long night on the highway
We drive through every storm
And do it all our own way
From a little town called Capac
Down to South Miami Beach
They hit every single gun show
That the highway lines can reach
They sharpen thousands of knives for free
With a steady hand
The Block name keeps on growin’
We’re out to make our stand
Johnny Blades is rollin’
The best damn sharpener in the land
(Guitar Solo)
With professional signature sharpeners
They crossed a promised land
They drove to every gun show
Building crowds and meeting demand
From sunny state Florida
To South Dakota’s Badlands wide
The Block name kept on growin’
With the miles they put behind
Three generations, one true craft
Each edge a point of pride
Johnny Blades kept rollin’
With Billy Joe right by his side
And the headlights cut the darkness
On a long night on the highway
We drive through every storm
And do it all our own way
From sunny state Florida
To South Dakota’s Badlands wide
The Block name keeps on growin’
Everywhere the highway runs
They sharpen thousands of knives for free
With a steady hand
The Block name keeps on growin’
We’re out to make our stand
Johnny Blades is rollin’
The best damn sharpener in the land
Three generations on the road
The story carries on
Johnny Blades is rollin’
Long after the miles are gone
