Meet the team


Arlan Mendell

Arlan Mendell

“I truly don’t feel like my job is work, it’s what I love to do. I’m very lucky to wake up every morning and be excited about starting my workday”.

I’m a resident of Central Oregon for over 12 years and semi-retired from 30+ years as a contractor in the construction business. As a builder, I’ve developed an eye for detail and precision, and a deep appreciation for time-honored techniques and the masterful skill that goes into building a truly fine, quality home. It’s been great fun taking that same passion for excellence and applying it to maintaining and restoring knives, tools, and implements that need a cutting edge.

In my off hours, my wife and I enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking and appreciating the beautiful outdoors in our 5th wheel. Additionally, the last 13 years have been devoted to developing an Orphanage in Kenya for needy children. This business helps provide for the needs across the globe as well as for the needed services here in Central Oregon.


Peter Mendell

Peter Mendell

Peter has lived in Central Oregon for 10 years. He and his wife, Kaileen, and their side kick, Hula, love to explore all of Oregon and surrounding states.  Peter enjoys hunting, fishing, and getting creative in the shop. Some of these activities require sharp knives.  Peter has always had a fascination with blades and recently even took up forging and bladesmithing.

"I've always loved taking a dull knife and returning it to a state of good repair. Using a knife that is razor sharp is just so satisfying.  Not everybody has the skill and equipment to bring a knife back to a professional edge.  We love being able to fill the need of the many folks who use their knives and need them maintained.”

When Peter is not sharpening blades, you can usually find him at a lake or river in the summertime, or riding and exploring the backcountry on a snowmobile during the winter months.  If the weather is not cooperating for outdoor activities, Peter will likely be in his shop, welding, fabricating, or forging a new creation.


Peter Mendell

Lane Mendell

Lane has just joined the team at Central Oregon Sharpening as a fresh High School graduate. Lane hails from Southern Oregon and is an amazing “no-excuses” guy. He graduated with honors while also participating in the Oregon High School Equestrian Team, taking the 2020 Performance Champion Southern District. Lane was awarded the 2019 American Stock Horse Association Horseman of the year. Being an accomplished horseman, he has also had the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and travel Africa to visit the Orphanages of Kenya.

All who know Lane will tell you he’s an inspiration to them, because in addition to his drive, he lives with Cerebral Palsy. This condition was caused by injury to the brain during birth and affects the ability to use his muscles and body.

“There isn’t a day that I’m not reminded I have the condition. And there never will be a day I won’t have it. But in my mind’s eye, life is good: If anything, cerebral palsy has made me a stronger, more humble person. I can even say having cerebral palsy has contributed to my success. My cerebral palsy made me the person I am today. It has shown me that there is strength in the weak and a world full of opportunity for those who will go after it”.