An itinerant knife and tool sharpener on his pitch in front of a little cafe in Les Halles. His equipment is protected under a canopy and a sign in front of him reveals the troubled times for the Artisans of France... "Seul un Artisan vous fera un Travail Soigne - Specialite Inox - Ciseaux Couteaux dentes e.t.c." - "Only an artisan will do meticulous work for you - specialises in stainless steel - scissors, serrated knives, etc." His treadle powered sharpening stone has to be well maintained to do a good job. A box of homemade tools is attached on the side, tools that he has made for highly skilled jobs that are difficult such as filing a bone saw by hand or filing a knife by hand so he could clamp the knife without damaging it in his vice. It is work that requires bits and pieces that the knife grinder can improvise with to get the best quality work possible whilst at work at his wheel. Quartier des Halles, 1er arrondissement, Right Bank, Paris, France, circa 1960s.