About Us
Meet your Artisanal Sharpener: Matt Gottshalk
Behind every expertly sharpened blade at Potomac Sharpening is Matt, a craftsman whose journey to becoming Northern Virginia's most trusted sharpening specialist combines family tradition, military precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Based in Sterling, Virginia, Matt has built his reputation working out of his home workshop delivering results that consistently exceed expectations for discerning home chefs, beauty stylists, barbers, and avid gardeners throughout Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and the greater DMV region.
The Foundation: Family Tradition and Early Expertise
Matt's appreciation for sharp, well-maintained tools began long before he ever imagined turning his passion into a profession. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he was immersed in a family culture that understood the critical importance of properly maintained blades.
His father, grandfather, and uncle operated a deer processing business during hunting season, where the difference between a sharp knife and a dull one wasn't just about efficiency – it was about food safety, quality, and respect for the animals they processed.
​
Watching these experienced craftsmen work taught Matt that sharpening wasn't just a mechanical process, but an art form that required understanding the relationship between steel, angle, and purpose.
Every blade had its own personality, its own requirements, and its own optimal performance characteristics.
This early exposure to professional-grade blade maintenance laid the foundation for the expertise that would later define his career.
Military Precision: Where Excellence Becomes Standard
Matt's understanding of precision and attention to detail was further refined during his service in the United States Marine Corps. Military service doesn't just teach discipline – it instills an understanding that there's no substitute for doing things right the first time.
In the Marines, equipment maintenance isn't optional, and the standards for performance are uncompromising.
​
This military background brings a unique perspective to every sharpening project.
The same attention to detail that ensures military equipment functions flawlessly in critical situations now ensures that every knife, shear, and tool that crosses Matt's workbench performs at its absolute best.
Veterans understand that proper maintenance isn't just about extending tool life – it's about reliability when it matters most.
Culinary Passion:
Understanding Tools from the User's Perspective
After his military service, Matt became the primary cook in several restaurants, as well as a cook for his family, a role that deepened his appreciation for quality kitchen tools and their proper maintenance.
This hands-on experience in the kitchen provides invaluable insight into how professional chefs and serious home cooks actually use their knives.
Understanding the demands of daily kitchen work – from delicate herb chopping to heavy-duty butchering – allows Matt to optimize each blade for its intended purpose.
​
This culinary background also connects Matt to the hunting tradition that runs through his family.
Processing game requires knives that can handle everything from field dressing to final preparation, and this experience with diverse cutting tasks has expanded his expertise across the full spectrum of blade types and applications.
Community Connection: Serving Northern Virginia
Potomac Sharpening isn't just a business – it's a community resource that serves the diverse needs of Northern Virginia's professional beauty and residential cooking and gardening communities.
From the busy salons of Fairfax to the home kitchens in Loudoun County, Matt has built relationships with professionals and residential customers who understand the value of properly maintained tools.
​
This local focus allows for personalized service that larger, impersonal sharpening services simply can't match.
Matt knows his customers, understands their specific needs, and takes pride in being the go-to expert for blade maintenance throughout the region.
The Personal Touch in Professional Service
In an age of "automated everything", Potomac Sharpening represents a return to craftsmanship and personal attention.
Every blade receives individual assessment and customized treatment based on its condition, intended use, and the customer's specific requirements.
This isn't mass production – it's artisanal service that treats each tool with the respect it deserves.
​
Matt takes pride in educating customers about proper tool maintenance, helping them understand how to extend the life of their investment and maintain peak performance between professional sharpenings.
This educational approach builds long-term relationships and ensures that customers get maximum value from their quality tools.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
When you choose Potomac Sharpening, you're not just getting a service – you're partnering with a craftsman who brings family tradition, military precision, and genuine passion to every project.
Whether you're a stylist in Fairfax, an avid gardener in Loudoun County, or a home cook in Sterling who appreciates quality tools, Matt is ready to restore your blades and treasured tools to better-than-new performance.
​
Contact Potomac Sharpening today to experience the difference that true expertise makes.
Text (703) 615-8614 for the fastest response, or email Info@potomacsharpening.com to discuss your specific needs.
Your tools – and your work – deserve nothing less than the best.
Expertise You Can Trust
Veteran-Owned Commitment to Excellence
Choosing a veteran-owned business means more than supporting someone who served our country – it means partnering with someone who understands the values of reliability, integrity, and service.
These aren't just business principles for Matt; they're core values that guide every interaction and every project.
The military emphasis on mission completion translates directly to customer satisfaction.
When Matt takes on a sharpening project, it's not finished until it meets his exacting standards and exceeds customer expectations.
This commitment to excellence has earned the trust of professionals throughout Northern Virginia who depend on their tools for their livelihood.
Local Expertise, Regional Reach
Based in Sterling but serving the entire Northern Virginia region, we understand the unique needs of our local community.
From the busy salon industry in Fairfax to the avid home chefs in Loudoun County, we've built relationships with professionals and residential customers who demand nothing less than perfection from their tools.
Get In Touch
Shop Phone or Text (You will get a faster response sending a text)
Hours:
M-F 9am-6pm
Saturday-Sunday: By appointment only (contact us) or Dropbox anytime
Dropbox hours: 7-days a week, 7am-10pm
Get a Quote
If you are struggling with dull knives, calling us now is the right decision!