Mikael Soderlindh and Marc Lickfett hope to hone in on a Shark when they pitch Knife Aid, their mail-in knife sharpening service, in Shark Tank episode 1105. Both men have twenty-some-odd-year careers in online marketing.
Lickfett is an 11 year veteran of King and McGaw (formerly EasyArt), which sells art prints and frames online. Soderlindh is also an 11 year veteran at Happy Socks, a Swedish online sock retailer. Both men hail from Sweden but now live in California.
The guys know what they’re doing and probably want a Shark to help them expand their marketing. Will a Shark think this is a sharp idea?
About Knife Aid
| Category | Details |
| Founder (Plural if multiple) | Mikael Soderlindh and Marc Lickfett |
| Product Type | Mail-in knife sharpening for various types |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self Funded |
| Investment Asked | $400,000 |
| Equity Offered | 15% |
What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
Mikael and Marc enter seeking $400,000 for 15% of the business. They tell their story and explain they’re looking for help with “channel and packaging strategies for the U.S. market.” The pair love surfing, so they headquartered Knife Aid in Malibu, CA. This allows them to hit the surf when there’s a lull. The Sharks are immediately impressed with the pair.
They explain how easy it is to sharpen knives with Knife Aid. With the help of their app, you can place an order, and you will receive an envelope, parcel your knife in it, and receive a sharpened knife in a few days.
The entrepreneurs show Sharks the samples. Kevin and Rohan go over the knives and try the two types, the dull knife and the sharp knife. The sharp knife cuts everything very easily. It cuts a pineapple in one move.
Sharks inquire about sales. The duo tells them that they have $120,000 worth of sales. They say that it is because of Facebook, Instagram, and Google advertisements. Then Mark asks them about their sales for last month. Knife Aid had done $37,000 in sales.
Lori says she likes them; they are fresh and unique, and with that, offers begin.
Also, read Mail In Knife Sharpening for more information.
What Makes Knife Aid Unique?
The idea for Knife Aid came about from the pair wanting a sustainable business that emphasizes reusing things we already have. Knife sharpening makes the life of a quality knife nearly infinite, but the craft was dying off. They use skilled craftsmen to sharpen their knives. Cooking and prepping with sharp knives is actually safer than using a dull knife. Dull knives cause people to use too much pressure and account for many more knife related injuries.
The actual process of sharpening your knives is simple. You order online and receive a knife-proof envelope in the mail. Put the knives in the pre-paid envelope and ship it out to California. Once the knives are sharpened, they ship it back. Depending on where you live in the US, the process takes 3-9 days.
Four knives cost $49 to sharpen ($12.25 per knife), and the per-knife cost goes down with additional knives sharpened. They sharpen any kind of knife: pocket knives, steak knives, cleavers, scissors and more.
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Did Knife Aid Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Lori offers $200,000 and a $2000,000 line of credit for 20%, but the two men ignore her. Kevin jumps in and offers $400,000 for 20%. Then Rohan teams with Lori to match Kevin’s offer. Then Barbara teams with Kevin to offer $500,000 for 20%. Mark is quiet, and he says he’s waiting to see what they do about their offers.
Kevin and Lori continue to make their case passionately, and Mark accuses them of grovelling. When the men step into the hallway, Lori follows them. Soon, Rohan, Kevin and Barbara join her. After some hallway negotiations, Lori and Rohan match Kevin and Barbara’s offer and the Knife guys do the deal with Lori and Rohan for $500,000 for 20%.
What Happened to Knife Aid After Shark Tank?
The deal with Lori and Rohan never closed. In February, 2020, the company appeared in The Shark Tank Greatest of All Time Special in the “greatest shark attacks” segment. The hallway scene was featured in the special. 2020 was a good year for this business as Covid-19 lockdowns had people cooking at home more and it translated into big sales.
Mikael Soderlindh left the company in December, 2021. He continues to run Happy Socks and he also founded 2 other businesses. Lickfett now runs the business with his wife, Deborah. In September, 2023, the company opened a brick and mortar store in Augora Hills, California. That’s where they do all their sharpening plus they offer walk-in service for locals. As of July, 2024, the company is still in business and has annual revenue of $2 million.
Where Can You Buy It?
Get knife sharpening service and reduce your struggle in the kitchen. They also sharpen scissors, cleavers, and more. Try it now; go to their website or Amazon and get the best deal. Check out their social media for more information.
Quick Summary
- Knife Aid offers a mail-in knife sharpening service using skilled craftsmen to extend the life of quality knives.
- Mikael Soderlindh and Marc Lickfett, both with extensive careers in online marketing, founded the company to promote sustainability and safety in the kitchen.
- The entrepreneurs close a deal with Lori and Rohan.
