WESTBOROUGH – In part of a residence on Summer Street, there’s a place providing an edge for knives, scissors and tools for more than five decades.
Bill’s Sharpening features an array of grinders and other machines ready to sharpen dull blades.
From 1973 to 1988, Bill Walden ran the business. When he died, the business was left to his son, John.
“It doesn’t make much money. I keep it open out of sentiment,” said John Walden. “I don’t mind putting the time in.”
He said most of his business comes from word of mouth, as well as Facebook and online.
When he first took over the business, Walden went to a weeklong course in sharpening in Kansas City. Most of what he learned, however, came from his father.
“My dad had a good work ethic,” he said. “He instilled that into me and my sisters.”
Until his retirement in 2019, Walden split his time between the business and the Department of Public Works, where he worked in several divisions.
One of his biggest memories was when he worked for the Highway Division during the Blizzard of 1978.
“I ran a bulldozer down Main Street,” he said.
These days, Walden splits his time between Westborough and Vermont. The business is usually open every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, but customers are asked to call ahead.
Bill’s Sharpening Services is at 31 Summer St. Call 508-366-5027 for pricing, hours and directions. Walden may also be reached at [email protected].
