Blogfinger

Mike (L) and Frankie at Mt. Hermon Way on Delaware All photos by Paul Goldfinger © August 30, 2014

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

The last time we saw Mike Pallotta the knife sharpener, it was the summer of 2011.   We posted a story then about Mike  (see link below)  who is from Brooklyn but comes to this part of the Shore each summer with his old truck, his grandson Frankie Pallotta, and his dog Danny.

Mike says that Ocean Grove is his favorite shore town to visit with  his mobile sharpening service. He drives into the towns around here and rings his bell.  Then he pulls over to the curb and he is open for business.

Today we spotted that famous truck on the corner of Delaware and Mt. Hermon Way, right near my house.  Eileen grabbed her kitchen knives and we ran across to welcome Mike and Frankie back. They both seemed happy to be here.

The neighbors quickly started to line up with their knives including Joyce, Meredith, Melanie and Joe.  Sandy was busy slicing an eggplant when Joe heard the bell. He stopped her in mid-slice, took her knife  and raced outside to have Mike sharpen that knife.  Joe  probably looked like the demon barber of Fleet Street as he hurried across the street, knife in hand.

Joe Varone holds up the truck while waiting for his knives. Mike works in the rear. ©  If Joe drops a knife on his bare feet he will be Toeless Joe from Kokomo.

Frankie will soon start college at Hofstra and he will commute from his home in Brooklyn. Meanwhile he has continued the family tradition of working with Grandpa Mike in the knife truck. Frankie carefully collects the knives from the customers and then, when the grinding is done, he wraps the knives in paper and gives them back .

Mike sends the sparks flying as he grinds away.

I stood in the back of the truck where you can watch Mike work at his grinders. The truck engine roars to a start, and the grinding wheels begin to turn.  His work area is carefully lit, and Mike is totally absorbed in his task.  Sparks fly. This is a craftsman that you don’t want to distract.  Mike liked the article we did on him in 2011, so he allowed me to move slowly and quietly into position at the back in order to get some photographs of him at work. It’s like photographing a sentimental piece of history. One neighbor recalled seeing trucks like this on the streets of Brooklyn where she grew up.

Mike said that the toughest town for him is Spring Lake because the houses are so big that they can’t hear his bell.  I offered to announce any future OG visits on Blogfinger, and he promised to email us when he plans to return.  He is careful to make no promises, but he thought maybe before Thanksgiving—definitely a day where a sharp knife is essential.

Mike and Frankie are two cheerful guys. Frankie’s a good natured, good looking kid with a natural smile. Mike seems to be a man who loves life. He is kind, likable, and competent.  If you meet a guy from Brooklyn, the talk generally turns to food, but, imagine this, Mike thought a Bradley Beach bagel was excellent.  Talk about putting a reverse spin on the ball  (Don’t ever play softball against a Brooklyn windmill pitcher).  So Mike was going to stock up on Jersey Shore bagels before heading home. There must be a NYC ordinance against that.

Danny the chicken dog.

Danny the dog is a pit bull who is afraid of his own shadow.  He hid under the front seat and wouldn’t come out for a photo, but I managed to get Danny to smile before he changed his mind.

We urged Mike to return to the Grove. He grinned and agreed to return.

link to Mike the Knife Sharpener  2011         Mike the Knife

ANNETTE HANSHAW with an old song  (“That’s You, Baby.”)    which seems to be about Mike.