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The Block Sharpeners Story: A Legacy of American Craftsmanship

The story of Block Sharpeners began in 1969 in Capac, Michigan, when Grandpa Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. set out with a simple mission: to build the finest sharpening tools in the world.

From the very beginning, the Block family lived in Capac Michigain traveling around their state to prove the unmatched quality of their product, they set up at local flea markets, fairgrounds, and major outdoor events across Michigan, offering to sharpen anyone’s knife completely for free. They knew that the best way to prove they made the absolute best sharpener was to let people experience a razor-sharp edge firsthand, ready for any task.

Word of this incredible tool spread quickly. Soon, the family was selling directly to the brave service members at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. From those military roots, Block Sharpeners earned a global reputation. Today, they have become the preferred choice for those who rely on their blades every single day—including professional five-star chefs, rugged hunters, deep-sea fishermen, scouts, and military men and women stationed all around the world.

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Today, Paul and Billie Jo Block proudly preserve their family’s legacy of craftsmanship through Block Sharpeners. Traveling across the United States with their loyal crew of Yorkies, they sell and showcase their tools at trade shows, local markets, and outdoor events—continuing a multigenerational family tradition. This dedication honors their father and grandfather’s memory while connecting them directly with customers that become friends who value high-quality, traditional sharpening tools.

In 2004, two years after Paul Sr. passed away, the next generation proudly stepped up to carry the torch. Paul R. Block #3 and his wife, Billie Jo Walker, took Grandpa Block’s signature sharpeners down to Florida. What began as a simple trip to visit family and earn some extra travel income quickly evolved into a permanent stay, as a loyal community of Southern outdoorsmen and professionals quickly embraced their traditional craft.

By 2013, Paul and Billie Jo brought the classic design into the modern era, updating the original sharpeners with a soft, non-slip thumb grip to maximize safety and comfort—an upgrade their customers absolutely loved. The very next year marked their most significant milestone yet: securing a brand-new patent and debuting the tool on the national stage via the Cutlery Corner knife show, where it instantly skyrocketed to become the program’s top-selling item.