@Reno Lewis is one of those folks who you buy a "used" product from and somehow it ends up more refined than when it was new.
Honestly I treat dealing with Reno like buying blades with a premium finishing option. Saves time, effort, and I'll probably never get it as sharp again. If I didn't have other obligations I'd scoop this beauty up. Someone please buy it before I get notions and start remembering numbers in my account that aren't there.
I've considered it. But, I'm also considering apprenticing as a blade smith (lots of obstacles in the way of that still though).
It's not either or though. What's better? The dude who walks in "Hi, I like sharp things" or the guy who walks in and goes "Here's my portfolio. I offer only the finest finishing service for custom, semi custom, and other high end blades. My name's Reno Lewis, maybe you've heard of me?"
That second guy sounds a little egomaniacal... Thing is, some blades have flaws which just can't be fixed short of rebuilding the whole thing. E.g. scales not affixed properly, steel issues, poor heat treat, etc. I can't fix those things without basically creating a new knife. Another issue would be potentially damaging, destroying or losing a customers blade, be it in my hands, by natural disaster or postal service screw up, etc. Some form of insurance would be needed. It just becomes a tad too involved to simply stay a hobby. I'd have much greater control over the final product if I were to just build a blade ground up, without worrying about the well being of a blade belonging to another person. That said, if any of my friends want some sharpening (including re-profiling) or general refinement (including handle finishing) done, hit me up and we can probably work something out.
