The company’s story starts out as a true family affair… invented by the father, named after the son, and marketed by the daughter.
Back in the mid 1970’s Charles Forest began working on the idea of a pocket-sized sharpener. Charles was a recreational fisherman and the idea blossomed from a need for a handy tool to sharpen his fishing knife. He developed a product that on an impulse, he took to Victorinox, the Swiss company which originally manufactured Swiss Army knives. The first sharpener was called the Packman, you might remember the Packman computer game, and the first version looked like the Packman characters in the game! Victorinox loved the idea but advised Charles to develop an oblong sharpener. The end result was the Sterling® Sharpener – created in 1977.
The Sterling® Sharpener originally manufactured in northern California started as a cottage industry headed by Charles Forest and his son Sterling. The marketing was handled by his daughter Bonnie. The sharpeners were sold exclusively – the first many years – in Europe by Victorinox, the Swiss Army knife company.
The business was sold in 2010 and relocated to southern California.
The company has expanded its production and is no longer a cottage industry. All products are still proudly made in the USA.
Product
The design of the product works by attaching two overlapping tungsten carbide pieces to an aluminum assembly, creating a 20° “V” wedge-shaped gap for the sharpening blades. Gives anyone a professional, quality edge, fast and easy. It re-tapers both edges evenly. Sharpens all types of blades, including kitchen, hunting, fishing, tactical, and pocket knives. Can be used right or left handed. Won’t rust.
The riveted construction gives it added durability. At only 3” by 1” and weighing less than 1 oz. it fits easily in a pocket, backpack, toolkit, survival kit, or attach to a key chain. Designed for everyday use.
The Sterling® Sharpener is available in a variety of anodized and powder-coated colors. As well as a number of printed finishes. We can custom laser engrave any of our products with your logo or design.
The plain aluminum finish sharpener also acts as a soap-less cleaning agent. Simply use the ECO-Silver with water instead of soap and it will remove fish, onion and other strong odors from your hands.