FAQs
What are your shop hours?
Any changes to regular shop hours are posted on our website and social media.
Where are you located?
Skarpari is located at 25 Eads Lane, Lopez Island, WA 98261, in the heart of Lopez Village. We are in the white building behind the thrift store. Look for the logo in the window.
What payment types do you accept?
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we are not currently accepting cash.
Due to fraudulent online orders, we may require you to email a photo ID matching the credit card and billing address used for the purchase via email, especially on high-value orders.
We accept all major credit cards and debit cards.
When do you put products on sale?
We periodically have both in-store as well as online sales. There is no structured time frame, but we typically run promotional sales 2-3 times yearly. We also have sale items available for in-store purchases only.
How can I follow Skarpari on social media?
Please follow us @skarpari_
We'd love to have you follow us!
Knife Care
Can I use my dishwasher to clean a knife?
Never run your carbon steel knife through the dishwasher or leave it sitting in a wet sink. Some of our stainless knives might be ok in the dishwasher, but we suggest always hand washing any knife you want to have last.
My carbon steel knife keeps rusting. How do I make it stop?
Make sure you keep the blade clean and dry after every use. Periodically wipe the blade while in use. Highly acidic foods will cause a faster reaction. Ensure that any wooden, leather, or plastic storage devices are clean and dry.
How do I remove rust from my blade?
You can gently remove corrosion from the rough side of a Scotch-Brite™ pad.
My carbon steel knife keeps changing colors. I don't think it's rust. What's going on?
Rust appears on your blade as orange, red, or brown. You should remove the rust. All other colors, including blue, purple, green, grey, and black, are considered patina. There's always a break-in period for carbon steel blades. This is a good thing and it helps protect the blade from future rust.
What is the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel and what care is needed?
Much like a cast iron pan, carbon steel blades must be kept clean and dry and should be lightly oiled after use. Carbon steel forms a slightly better edge than stainless and is easier to sharpen, but is more susceptible to oxidation and can potentially rust if not properly cared for.
Stainless steel can be denser because of more alloys, therefore requiring less maintenance. They also tend to be a little more durable but harder to sharpen, depending on the steel. In short, carbon steel requires a little more care.
I have a stainless steel knife, but it has a rust spot on it. How is this possible?
Stainless steel is not stain-not steel. Many of our blades use stainless steel with a very high carbon content for edge formation and durability. These steels are much less likely to oxidize or corrode but can rust if left dirty or wet for extended periods. Remove rust, and be sure to keep the knife clean and dry when not in use. Also, make sure that there is no moisture being trapped in a plastic cover or sleeve, this can cause rust.
I keep finding small chips on the edge of my blade. Why is this happening?
Many steels that are very hard can hold an edge for a long time, but sometimes the extra-fine edge can become brittle.
Never cut through bones or frozen foods!
Be sure to pick herbs; woody stems of thyme and rosemary can cause microchipping.
Take the time to wash greens before they are cut. Tiny pieces of dirt or sand from dirty greens will also cause microchipping.
Most tiny chips are naturally removed in sharpening and shouldn't dramatically affect the knife's performance.
Sharpening & Repairs
Do you sharpen knives?
We use the Tormek sharpening system. It utilizes a water-cooled stone to ensure there is no damage to the temper of the steel by overheating it. We use jigs to ensure we can reproduce any exact sharpening angle.
PLEASE READ OUR SHARPENING POLICIES HERE
Can I get my knife sharpened while I wait?
A 72-hour turnaround is standard without an appointment – but it may take more or less time, depending on the job and how many knives we have ahead of you.
If you are only on the island briefly, please text us, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule! Please make an appointment by texting or calling us at 360-228-8032. We're here to help.
Each knife will take about 20 minutes to sharpen. Please allow extra time for repairs and restorations.
We will always get your project done as quickly as possible and will let you know as soon as it's complete.
I dropped my knife, and the tip broke! Can this be fixed?
Knife repair is one of our specialties. We fix broken and bent tips, rusty blades, and chipped and gouged edges.
Price is contingent upon the condition and severity of the damage.
All repairs start at $5 and go up by $1 increments. We charge $60/hr for repair and restoration work. Most repairs are $5-$25.
Please contact us for quotes on large repairs, restoration, or unconventional pieces.
I have a knife that's old and broken. Is it even worth fixing?
The short answer is probably. A good knife is a sharp knife; many knives only need a little tender loving care to return to useful shape. You are far more likely to injure yourself with a dull knife than with a sharp one.
How do I keep my knife sharp at home?
- Only use your knife on hardwood, composite rubber, or plastic.
- Never cut on countertops, glass, or bamboo.
- Never put your knife in the dishwasher.
- Don't sharpen or hone your knives on anything harder than the blade itself.
- We recommend ceramic honing rods and a leather strop.
- When honing your knife, be sure to trail your edge (pressure goes AWAY from the edge, not into it) and use the same pressure and number of passes on each side of the blade.
If the edge is still not sharp after several passes on each side, it's time to sharpen the knife.
My knife is dull, but I live out of town. Can I ship my knives to you?
We'd be happy to help you restore your knife. We offer complete restoration services to help bring any knife back to life. Please take a look at our sharpening services page for details. Then contact us to get a quote.
Suppose you are shipping an item with a value of over $75. In that case, consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don't guarantee that we will receive your shipped item.
I am embarrassed by how bad I let my knife get. Can you help me?
Don't be afraid to contact us and let us help you. We believe in assisting you in making your knives last a lifetime. We have rarely seen a knife beyond repair!
Do you offer any discounts on knife sharpening?
We offer a 10% discount to all restaurants and island residents on sharpening services.
We are willing to offer a bulk discount if you want to bring in many knives for sharpening. This will vary based on the type, size, and style of knives you want to bring in.
Shipping & Returns
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, EXPECT SHIPPING DELAYS.
Most orders will take 24 hours to process and up to 2 weeks to arrive to you. Custom orders will take 8-12 weeks to complete, and we will give you an accurate time estimate when you order. Wait times vary throughout the year.
Due to fraudulent online orders, we may require you to email a photo ID matching the credit card and billing address used for the purchase via email, especially on high-value orders.
All domestic orders are shipped through USPS Priority. You will be notified when your item has shipped.
We are not responsible for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged products during shipment caused by the courier. Skapari will provide minimal insurance unless the customer believes their address is not secure and shipping is unreliable in their area. You can purchase additional insurance by contacting us.
International Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions
Prices are shown in US Dollars ($). Any import duties, taxes, or brokerage fees due at the time of delivery are the sole responsibility of the receiving customer. We are not responsible for shipments held up by customs. Cutlery cannot be shipped to certain destinations due to international shipping restrictions. Please ensure that your country allows for the importation of knives before placing your order.
Returns and Exchanges
We take great pride in carrying unique handmade products and art.
We accept returns on non-custom products within seven days of purchase. If seven days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can't offer you a refund. However, we want you to be happy and will work with you to find an exchange or modification.
To be eligible for a return or exchange, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it.
Several goods are exempt from being returned—perishable goods such as food and flowers. We also do not accept returns on products such as lanterns, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Most often, purchasing one of our Skarpari knives involves some level of custom collaboration with our clients. We go to great lengths through our custom ordering process to provide paper and wooden proofs before your item is finally produced. Therefore there are no refunds on custom orders, and exchanges can be arranged in most cases.
Refunds (if applicable)
Please contact us before you send it or return in person. A refund will NEVER be provided unless we have approved it before shipping it back. Once your return is received and inspected, we will email you to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. If you are approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or the original payment method. Please allow up to two weeks for the payment to appear in your account.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded. Unfortunately, sale items cannot be refunded.
Return Shipping (if applicable)
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Please take the same care in packaging your product(s) as we did when sending your original shipment. Knives, if not prepackaged, need to be protected using bubble wrap, several layers of newspaper, or cardboard sleeves. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding safe packaging practices. We'll be more than happy to provide assistance.
If you are shipping an item valued over $75, consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
The Skarpari Guarantee
We are a small business providing unique handmade items crafted by us. We value our customers and guarantee all purchases of our knives for life and beyond. Please contact us if you need help or are not happy! We want you to enjoy everything we have to offer to the fullest extent possible.