Thanh says after five years, he now has “loyal customers”.

His tools are simple: in addition to an old motorcycle, he needs only a grinder and several rocks.

Thanh was previously a smith. It was difficult to make a living in his hometown so he moved to Saigon to become a knife sharpener.

Knife sharpening is a traditional occupation of his family, as Thanh’s son also does this job.

Every day, Mr. Thanh leaves his room to go the street to work from 7am to 6pm.

Knife sharpeners often work at crowded markets. However, each person usually has his own “loyal customers”.

Each day, Thanh earns around VND200,000 ($10). He sends the money to his wife in Binh Dinh for medical treatment of a disease.