Slijper

Slijper is a Dutch term that refers to a person who sharpens blades or, more broadly, to the sharpening of edged tools. Historically, a slijper was a skilled craftsman responsible for keeping knives, scissors, chisels, plane irons and other cutting implements in working condition by removing material to restore a keen, even edge. The word is used both for the practitioner and, in some contexts, for the sharpening tools and equipment involved.

Typical sharpening tools and setups include whetstones (slijpstenen) made for dry, water, or oil use, as well as honing steels and, in industrial settings, grinding wheels. A slijper works with abrasives of varying grits, selects an appropriate sharpening angle for the specific tool, and may use lubricants or water to reduce heat and improve material removal. The process generally starts with a coarser grit to form or repair the edge, followed by progressively finer grits to refine and polish. Finishing steps may include stropping on leather to align microfacets and enhance edge retention.

In historical and regional contexts, slijpers operated in workshops, markets, or as itinerant sharpeners, often serving kitchen, woodworking, and metalworking needs. With industrial production and mass sharpening services, the role persists mainly in specialized workshops, tool shops, and among enthusiasts who maintain knives and blades at home. The term derives from slijpen, meaning to grind or sharpen, and remains a generic reference to the craft and its practitioners.