Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Meet Vinny, The Knife Guy: Firefighter Turned Knife Sharpening Pro

 

The Knife Guy
Location: South Reno



Hey Reno! I’m Vinny Murgolo, a full-time firefighter and the proud owner of The Knife Guy, your go-to knife sharpening service. As a dad-to-be (my wife and I are expecting our first child!), I’m all about serving our community—whether I’m putting out fires or bringing the edge back to your favorite knives. Here’s my story, why I love what I do, and why The Knife Guy is here to make your blades (and life) sharper.

From Dull Knives to a Sharp Passion
My love for sharp knives started in the firehouse kitchen. Cooking for my crew is a big part of the job, but dull knives? They were slowing me down and driving me nuts. I didn’t know the first thing about sharpening, so I dove headfirst into the rabbit hole—watching every YouTube video, taking classes, and practicing until I got it right. What started as a fix for my own knives turned into a full-blown passion. There’s something so satisfying about transforming a dull blade into a razor-sharp tool, and I knew I had to share that with Reno.

Two years ago, I launched The Knife Guy, and it’s been an incredible ride. Whether it’s a chef’s knife for your Sunday meal prep or a hunting blade for your next adventure, I’m here to make sure your knives are ready for action.

Why The Knife Guy?
At The Knife Guy, it’s all about quality, community, and keeping things simple. Here’s what you get when you work with me:
  • Firefighter Trust: As a fireman, I’m all about reliability and service. I treat your knives with the same care I bring to my day job.
  • Expert Sharpening: From kitchen knives to outdoor blades, I use top-notch techniques to give your tools the edge they deserve.
  • Local Love: I’m proud to call Reno home, and I’m thrilled to help my neighbors—whether you’re a home cook, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast.
  • Connect Online: Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook
    @TheKnifeGuyReno for sharpening tips, cool before-and-afters, and a peek at my life as a firefighter and soon-to-be dad.
Life Update: Baby on the Way!
On a personal note, my wife and I are over the moon about welcoming our first child soon. Between fighting fires, sharpening knives, and getting ready for fatherhood, life’s keeping me busy—but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Running The Knife Guy lets me connect with all of you while building a brighter future for my growing family. Your support means the world to us!
Why Sharp Knives Matter
A sharp knife isn’t just about slicing tomatoes like butter (though that’s pretty great). It’s about safety, efficiency, and enjoying what you do—whether you’re cooking for your family or prepping gear for a weekend in the Sierras. Dull knives slip, frustrate, and make tasks harder than they need to be. Let me take care of that for you, so you can focus on what matters.

Get Sharp with The Knife Guy
Ready to give your knives some love? I make it easy:
  • Drop off your blades (DM me for details!).
  • Most jobs are done in 24 but many within only an hour.
  • Affordable rates—starting at just $10 per knife (contact me for a quote).
  • Visit or find me on social media
    @TheKnifeGuyReno to get started.

Whether you’re a busy parent, a culinary pro, or an outdoor adventurer, I’m here to keep your knives sharp and your life smoother. Check out my Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook @TheKnifeGuyReno for a dose of sharpening fun and to see what I’m up to next.

Thank you Reno for supporting The Knife Guy. Let’s keep our blades—and our community—sharp!

Stay sharp,
Vinny Murgolo
The Knife Guy


Hey Friends,

Just tuning in for a moment to drop some love for this guy.  Vinny is that type of person who was friends with everyone in high school - the genuine, kind-hearted, talented, easygoing, & someone you just can’t help but cheer on kind of guy.  He just so happens to be a local hero and professional knife sharpener, too.

When someone finds a true passion and pairs it with an unrelenting drive to master it, I think that’s a foolproof recipe for success.  It's a trait I've noticed in a lot of my favorite local businesses.  After learning about Vinny’s dedication and the countless hours he’s poured into his craft, it became clear he’s just getting started. His goal is to be the go-to guy for knife sharpening - household knives, restaurant knives, and everything in between.

Don’t get me wrong, hard work is always part of the equation. But the difference is that it becomes something you’re excited to wake up for, no matter how tough it gets. Vinny’s found his thing, and he’s going after it with everything he’s got. That’s the kind of story I’ll always root for.

And I know what you’re thinking:
Katherine… but are the knives really that sharp??

In short, YES! I had mine sharpened by Vinny last month, and I’ve been on a cutting frenzy ever since. I’m slicing everything in sight just for the thrill of it, living out my full-on ninja dreams, lol.

The ultimate knife test? - Sushi.
If you’ve ever made your own sushi, you know dull knives can break your soul. Stuffed seaweed rolls are stinkin delicate, and one bad slice can turn your beautiful work into abstract art real fast. But with my freshly sharpened knives, I cut through those rolls like a total boss and immediately thought, “I could open a restaurant.” LOL

If you're anything like me, you've probably been cutting with dull knives for years without even realizing it. So trust me - get your knives sharpened. It’ll change your kitchen game forever.

Also, will you help me give a huge congrats and welcome Vinny to the parents' club? His adorable baby boy, little Vincent, just made his grand entrance into the world. Congratulations to you and Adrienne. I’m so happy for you both and can’t wait to meet him.

-Kat

NOTES
*If Vinny is not slammed and you ask politely, he'll  be happy to show you some of the knife sharpening magic in action.  It's so much fun to watch.
*He uses science based sharpening that deliver consistent, razor sharp results every single time
*For the ultimate convenience, you can drop off your knives anytime using Vinny's dropbox
*Vinny is excellent with communications and will get back to your questions as soon as he can.
*Wondering is Vinny can sharpen your serrated knives? He sure can.
*He even packages your knives in protective sleeves for safe transport 
*Tip and chip repair included with every knife sharpening. What a perk!
*Restaurant friends - Vinny offers mobile services.  Yep, he'll come to you! #Spoiled
*And If you run into Vinny's dog, Shaggy, please give him some hugs for me. 

Big shoutout to my friends Jess (aka BLC Bites & Bevs & an amazing fellow Reno foodie) and Danny (rad foodie friend and cook at one of the best pizza joints in town - Cosmo’s) for putting me onto Vinny. 


***Information subject to change.***

Photography
Katherine Fung, All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Local Businesses"

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