One day while at home in our little castle on Staten Island I heard a ding dong sound similar to an icecream truck. I looked out my window and I saw a bright, lipstick red, truck with knives and blades carefully painted on it. I thought, "What the hell is this??!!" I tried to get a photo but the truck took off around the corner. The next time it came by my husband went out to investigate. It was a knife sharpening truck. How many neighborhoods can boast having one of these? Recently, I spoke to the truck owner, an elderly Italian fellow, and told him that my husband surely had some knives to be sharpened if he came by on the weekend. He promised to come by on a Saturday sometime before Thanksgiving. Keep your ears peeled!
Oh man, that truck used to come by our house back in the 70's. I think he was the mortal enemy of every child during the hot summer months. "Ice cream! Ice cream!....oh, it's THAT guy!"
ReplyDeleteI saw this same truck over on St. Mark's last week - and was wondering the same thing! How old-timey - I love Staten Island.
ReplyDeleteI chatted with him a little when I got my knives sharpened last month. He's been doing this for over 40 years! He only comes around in the fall, so be sure to catch him when you hear the bell...
ReplyDeleteI just found you site today. I search for Staten Island Stereotypes and an August Post of your came up.
ReplyDeleteWe are filming a documentary style film about Staten Island. It is called Save Staten Island. Take a look at our site and let us know if you are interested in being interviewed.
www.savestatenisland.com
Snussell!!!
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing? Hope you and Cynthia are well. I had a great time seeing you guys out here, and the CVB children's book event was fantastic. The kids ate it up!
Love,
Michael
circa 1979-1980 when i heard the grinding truck passing by, i too got excited and thought the icecream man was coming, and like dan i grumbled with disappointment to find out it was the grinding guy. i was baffled and asked my mom what this trickery was all about. i thought perhaps he sold tools, but she explained that he sharpened them. then it occured to me that my dad loves tools (alot!) so i would run to my dad excitedly and tell him "dad it's the tool guy, the tool guy is here, quick you are gonna miss him if you don't hurry! get your tools quick!" thinking that perhaps my dad would be as eager as if it were the icecream man. my dad shrugged it off and let me know he could sharpen his own tools. i just didn't see how he could do as nice a job as that novel red truck could, but my dad just wasn't impressed. . .i would always be a little bit dissappointed that i couldn't make use of the red truck. i didnt know it was still around. it looks a lot shinier than i remember.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how to get in touch with this guy? We need to have some blades sharpened and could really use him!
ReplyDeletePlease email me @ info@biscuitmagoo.com