The state of Baden-Württemberg can be especially proud of its famous car brands, its delicious Spätzle (a type of German noodle), and its relaxed approach to standard German. For Baden-Württemberg is not only a driving force of the German economy, but also offers a diverse range of nature and culture, true to the motto: "Black Forest meets Fasnet (Carnival)." The district of Rottweil, in particular, which is famously the namesake of the dog breed of the same name, is considered one of the epicenters of Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet. From the beginning of Epiphany, revelers with whimsical wooden masks and traditional costumes line the streets of the towns and villages – accompanied by the loud clanging of bells and cracking of whips.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Deißlingen, you'll find a jester of a completely different kind. No mask, but plenty of passion for knives. In this respect, Knut Ingolf Sälinger is the man whom not only women trust. Self-employed and extremely successful in sales since 1985, the sales representative followed his passion in 2020 by founding the Black knife sharpening workshop (stylized as messerschleiferei.black). The focus here is on sharpening high-quality knives using the cold grinding method with water stones, entirely by hand.
Even as a child, Knut Ingolf Sälinger came into contact with knives, as his father was a hunter and passionate horseman. On his father's farm, he could eagerly watch the blacksmith work metal and sharpen blades. Now and then, his father's hunting friends would show off their hunting knives, which were often made by Böker. At the age of seven, Knut Ingolf Sälinger finally received his first hunting knife from his father.
He enjoys discussing good knives with his customers, and does so frequently. A relaxed atmosphere, a delicious cup of coffee, and the necessary peace and quiet provide the ideal conditions for expert discussions. The owner is particularly fond of the Böker 98K Damascus steel : " This knife is a work of art for me, a symbiosis of stability, perfect craftsmanship, and full practicality. I was already familiar with the 98K repeating rifle, from which it takes its name, through my father's hunting friends, and then I discovered this knife in the catalog – it's absolutely stunning! The Böker 98K Damascus steel also magically attracts the attention of my customers. "
The still very young knife sharpening company, messerschleiferei.black, offers not only knife sharpening but also the sale of knives. "As a perfectionist with high quality standards, it was clear to me that I wanted to offer my customers Böker knives, and I applied to become a specialist retailer." The subsequent initial contact with the Böker sales representative almost didn't happen, as Knut Ingolf Sälinger wasn't expecting the spontaneous visit after work and drove off waving. However, a friendly phone call a few minutes later cleared things up with a smile and turned the situation around. "From the very beginning, the collaboration with Böker has been very cordial and professional – just like the knives themselves ."
A knife fanatic through and through - and not just during carnival season.