Seattle Queer & BIPOC Knife Sharpening Alliance

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Seattle Queer & BIPOC Knife Sharpening Alliance A community of BIPOC/queer folks teaching other BIPOC/queer folks the tradecraft of knife sharpening.

The mission of the Queer & BIPOC Knife Sharpening Alliance is to provide mutual aid and free knife sharpening skills to BIPOC and queer community members in the Seattle area. The Seattle Queer & BIPOC Knife Sharpening Alliance originated as an idea to help alleviate two observed problems. One, is the shortage of qualified knife sharpeners, and two, the challenges BIPOC and queer community members face to obtain a sense of security, especially those with multiple marginalizing identity factors. The alliance offers free sharpening mentorship to marginalized community members in the Seattle area, under the guidance of Tai Lee, whom has over 20 years of experience knife sharpening. After mentees achieve professional sharpening results, they can then train others the trade with the same opportunity provided to them; free of charge. In order to continue offering mutual aid and free mentorship, we could use your help to continue growing the Queer & BIPOC Knife Sharpening Alliance!

We were able to disburse $2,871 for Q3 of 2026 thanks to the support of our patrons. Here's where the funds went:- $1,13...
10/02/2026

We were able to disburse $2,871 for Q3 of 2026 thanks to the support of our patrons. Here's where the funds went:

- $1,135 for mental health mutual aid: Paying for services for people who can't afford them and providing financial support for intern clinicians who work unpaid. Prioritizing BIPOC and people with disabilities.
- $936 for mutual aid: Grocery store gift cards and financial support. Prioritizing BIPOC, people with disabilities, and households with children.
- $500 to the Colville Tribes to support wildfire recovery.
- $100 to the United Indians of All Tribes in support of the Indian Days Powwow.
- $100 to Washington Therapy Fund Foundation in honor of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month.
- $100 to NAMI South King County in support of BIPOC weekly support group.

Here's a recent Japanese knife repair and a reminder to not use high-end Japanese knives on frozen and other hard foods (bones, hard-skinned squashes, etc). This Yu Kurosaki santoku is made with Aogami Super, which is a very hard carbon steel. Harder steels retain edge sharpness longer, but are typically more brittle than steel found on western knives. This was a complex repair involving profile correction, thinning, and removal of the black kurouchi finish to clean up the appearance.

09/22/2026

A few announcements to make:

1. New rates go into effect 10/8.
2. Our Central District workshop closed and is moving to Rainier Beach.
3. Restock of knives coming. Traditional single-bevel Japanese knives, Miyabi, Masamoto, Yu Kurosaki, Tojiro, Wüsthof, various Sabatier, Ge**er, and more.

Check out the video for more details.

Some recent Japanese knife repairs. These are available for sale, as well as hundreds of other knives, at our Garage Sal...
09/15/2026

Some recent Japanese knife repairs. These are available for sale, as well as hundreds of other knives, at our Garage Sale & Sharpening-While-You-Wait events.

09/14/2026
Tai here...Any knives that I sharpen through August 24th will be fundraising to support the Colville Indian Reservation ...
08/10/2026

Tai here...Any knives that I sharpen through August 24th will be fundraising to support the Colville Indian Reservation that is dealing with largest (139,000 acres at last count) wildfire in Washington State. Minimum commitment on my end is $200, but I'm really hoping you all will send me a lot of knives and make it more than that. Link below if you want to support them directly.

Also...August is National Black Business Month. Please support your local Black-owned business this (and every) month!

Colville Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund ***OFFICIAL FIRE DONATION ACCOUNT***Multiple wildfires, including Kaiser Canyon Fire and the Modrite Fire, are…

We were able to disburse $2,555 during Q2 of 2026 thanks to the generous support of our patrons!- $1,400 for mutual aid:...
07/03/2026

We were able to disburse $2,555 during Q2 of 2026 thanks to the generous support of our patrons!

- $1,400 for mutual aid: Grocery store gift cards and financial support, prioritizing BIPOC, people with disabilities, and households with children.
- $1,055 for mental health mutual aid: Paying for services for people who can't afford them and providing financial support for intern clinicians who work unpaid. Priority to BIPOC and people with disabilities.
- $50 for Tubman Center for Health & Freedom in honor of Juneteenth.
- $50 for Northwest Abortion Access Fund on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision.

Got a broken knife? Check to see if we can fix it! Repairing a knife is cheaper than replacing it.

04/04/2026

PSA...look out for these scam knives being sold at local farmers markets.

12/12/2025

Happy Holidays for whatever holidays you celebrate in December! Still plenty of time to get your knives sharpened before the next feast.

I've been thinking about making this video for awhile. It's not the usual knife sharpening video, but I hope this message will offer you hope and motivation to keep on doing the work that makes the world a happier and safer place for everyone.

Thanks to the generous support of our patrons, we were able to disburse $900 in November:

- $500 for mental health mutual aid, paying for sessions for people who cannot afford services and cost of living support for intern clinicians that work unpaid. Prioritizing BIPOC and people with disabilities.
- $400 for food security mutual aid. Prioritizing BIPOC, people with disabilities, and households with children.

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Seattle, WA

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