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Vintage treadle wheel powered knife sharpener - photo
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In some small villages here in Spain you will still see knife sharpeners on mopeds. Grinding machine driven off the rear wheel with a stand to hold the wheel off the ground. The practice is dying off as those left are probably the last generation to see this as a career.
When I was a kid, firstly in England and later in Australia I recall mum gathering up the knifes when she heard the sharpener's whistle. They travelled around on bicycles.
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In the 1960's-1970's there was a guy in South St. Louis, MO. who used to push his knife-sharpening cart around sharpening knives etc. I remember seeing him come through my Grandmothers neighborhood. His cart had a bell that dinged as he pushed it so you knew he was there. I think he retired a very rich man.