Gyspies

[sunflower68]

In Norfolk this weekend we spotted a van parked with a sign saying 'knives and scissors sharpened here'. Got me to remembering when gypsies used to call at the door asking if you need your knives sharpened. Where did they go?

[Chessman]

The last one we had, was about twenty years ago, if your talking about real Gypsies, (Romanies), they are being pushe out, and tarred with the same brush as the Diddy Coys, (Travellers or Tinkers),

[sunflower68]

You can't go around tarring gypsies, that's cruel.

[maggie01]

I don't know where they went, but it was really handy. We used to get the garden shears sharpened. Now we have to find somewhere to take them to.

[mimififi]

They had their caravans towed/clamped, got housed in council housing, and their children ended up on YTS projects doing far less useful things than knife sharpening, but something that fits much better into a health and safety manuel.

I remember a Romany sharpening my mum's dressmaking scissors. he alwasy used to give us a blackjack. yum yum. We were fascinated not least of all because my mum was from Romany descent until she ended up in barnados, and then fostered by extended family (non-romany). That is obviously where I get my mysterious hispanic looks from: Dark eyes, auburn hair, skin like a mochachino.....

Modern times; in some ways so forward, yet also so sad.

[Buenchico]

Like so many other trades, knife-sharpeners are the victims of progress. In the (so-called) 'good old days', kitchen knives, for example, required fairly frequent sharpening. The householder could do it but, to do it properly, there was a bit of a knack. It was often simpler to pay an 'expert' to do it.

Then along came advances in steel technology, with firms like 'Kitchen Devil' guaranteeing that their knives would stay sharp for life. Bad news for anyone who sharpened knives for a living!

The 'throw away society' hasn't helped much either. My garden shears cost about �6. My scissors were '3 pairs for a quid'. When these go blunt, I can either pay someone between �5 and �10 to sharpen each item or I can just buy some new shears and scissors. Guess which I'll do?

Chris

[mimififi]

Buenchico: I'll remember that it's you and your throw away scissors that have taken away the only business my forefather's left me...I find out now, that you are the reason i can no longer be pulled around in my beautiful caravan pulled by my trusty shire and sell pegs and other trinkets, while my husband beavers away at the knives and garden implements. What good is it looking like Carmen, if I have no dramatic occupation in which to find inappropriate lovers to send me to meet my untimely demise? What use is it looking like a gorgeous European Beverage if I can't go around in my mobile home (which would make the switch to London, far easier, frankly!)?

I don't know, maybe it's not your fault, its blimmin' B&Q value garden tools that are doing me out of business. maybe I should set up an online Knife sharpening business, all the ABs that like to do their stabbing and cutting here in the forum could pay me to sharpen their scythes...now that sounds like a viable business.

I can see it now: Blood descent Romany ABer, dark locks, black eyes, skin like a mochachino (or cappacino in the winter), renews old family business in sharpening keyboard hatchets. A cutting wit, and a sharp tongue put together with a deadly ponchant for slicing to the issue, encouraging all to do the same. Safe, e-sharpened tools. Accepts all majoy credit cards/nochex/paypal/personal cheque/postal order. Please note:back stabbing comments can not be released till funds are cleared. cutting comments of a mutual interest sliced at half price.

Defo! ;-)

[sunflower68]

Love it mimififi!!! I was just passing the Swaffham area on Sunday, if you want to keep your new trade really simple. Just an old van parked in a layby. He looked like he could use a pair of hands, you could even bring along some pegs and lucky heather. ;)

[don1]

I remember well a didicoy sharpening my mums scissors while his mate went round to the back door of her house and stole her purse while she was in the front street. They are such lovely people.

Luckily it had only taken my father 40 hours working half a mile underground digging coal to get that housekeeping money.

[Dolly1308]

Loved your answer mimififi,reminded me of my long ago and far away childhood .Thank you .

[valsuey]

They all drive around in vans now offering to tarmac your drive.!

[stanleyman]

mimififi would you be safe with all those knives and scissors?

[lankeela]

My dad used to sharpen the carving knife on a sunday morning prior to carving the sunday roast. He used a piece of stone that was about 8 inches long and used to set it on the kerb round the drain outside the kitchen window.

When I worked in a restaurant, the chef used what he called a 'steel' it had a handle like a knife but the blade was round.

[funnywebsite]

They usually come round selling rugs now. I have seen them selling stuff at carboot sales. They hang around on the high street passing lucky heather to get a few bob.

[mydogsandme]

I reside here in sunny Norfolk and remember when gipsies used to regularly come to our door- probably due to my mum being such a soft touch. She used to worry they'd curse her so she used to make them all tea and sandwiches and they'd sit on our front lawn eating them (I'm not making this up, I remember it!) They blessed her and gave her a lucky charm telling her while she kept it in her purse she'd never be without money. According to her she never was either until she lost it. It all happened round our way you know!

[Coobeastie]

The one selling knocked off tarmac aren't romanies.