Sharpen Vegas: A Chef’s Work Continues, One Knife at a Time

Before Jason Hoatson brought a sharpening service to customers' doors, he was the chef keeping his cooks' knives sharp. He spent 30 years in the restaurant business, and sharpening was already part of his working life.

“When I retired from the restaurant business I decided to keep that going,” he told Neon in his 702 Alliance interview. That continuation became Sharpen Vegas, his mobile knife sharpening business serving the Las Vegas Valley and Boulder City.

A move that happened in three weeks

Jason moved to Las Vegas in 1990. He had been working at a restaurant in Mobile, Alabama, when visitors connected with a Las Vegas casino invited him to look them up if he came to town. Three weeks later, he was living in Vegas.

His sharpening work carried on through his restaurant years. He remembers sharpening knives for the cooks in his own restaurant, long before retirement gave that work a different place in his day.

The appointment, from first questions to the paper test

When Jason arrives for an appointment, he first looks over the knives with the customer and answers questions about the process. He then takes them to his vehicle to sharpen them.

When the knives come back, the conversation continues. Jason and the customer go over them together, and he usually demonstrates the edge by cutting paper. There is another chance to ask questions before payment and his thank-you.

Damaged blades are a familiar part of the job. Jason describes knives that have been dropped or used to open jars and cans. Repairing that damage, including restoring broken tips, is work he takes pride in.

Helping people cook for themselves

For Jason, the purpose comes back to what happens in a customer's kitchen. A working knife makes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks possible.

“I like that at the end of the day I am helping people do for themselves,” he said.

Visit the Sharpen Vegas profile for service details, contact information and online booking.

Based on Jason Hoatson's completed Neon interview, October 15, 2026, with service-area details from his existing profile. For corrections or removal, contact Cody.