DAN’S PAPERS
danshamptons.com
March 1, 2013 Page 31 WINERIES
NORTH FORK EVENTS
Drink in the whole North Fork!
Suffolk Theater opens in a big way!
Catching Up with a North Fork Point Man
W
hen you start your own business, it’s important to have an edge. Luckily for Bill Plock, owner of Long Island Knife Works in Southold, keeping an edge his specialty. “I’ve been a knife enthusiast for many years, since I was a little kid. And I’ve been going to shows for the last 15 years,” Plock said. While the Southold native has been working as a parts manager at the Brewer Yacht Yard in Greenport for 25 years, he’s been honing his skills as a self-taught knife sharpener for the last fifteen. “I had many experiences just looking at knives, and people showing me how they did it,” he said. “And one day, I just sat down and did it myself.” Plock has sharpened knives for his friends and family for more than a decade, until they finally talked him into starting his own business. “As a business, I’ve been doing this for about a year,” Plock said. “People kept saying I should do a small business like that, because there’s nobody out here. I looked around and the closest is up west somewhere, not even on the East End.” Plock, who is also the seasonal captain of the Shelter Island Ferry, is definitely filling a niche, particularly on the East End where commercial fishing and fine dining are a way of life. “I’m going to be going around to businesses and restaurants, and touch base with them and the fishermen,” Plock said. “Some chefs do it themselves, and sometimes they
NORTH FORK For more events happening this week, check out: Arts & Galleries Listings pg. 35 Calendar pg. 40, Kids’ Calendar pg. 42,
thursday, february 28 KENT ANIMAL SHELTER BEAT THE HEAT SPAY PROMOTION To reduce the number of homeless cats, Kent Animal Shelter in collaboration with PetSmart Charities is offering a $20 spaying through 2/28. 2259 River Road, Calverton. Call to schedule appointment and be sure to mention “Beat the Heat” promotion, 631-727-7797 KentAnimalShelter.com
friday, march 1 NEW ART SHOW AT THE ROSALIE DIMON GALLERY AT THE JAMESPORT MANOR INN New art show features East End Arts members, Nigerianborn photographer Alfred Fayemi and tapestry artist Sherry Schreiber. On view through 5/1, opening reception with the artists on 3/1, 3–5 p.m. 370 Manor Lane, Jamesport. 631-727-0900 eastendarts.org DIVERSITY: AN EAST END ARTS GALLERY SHOW Runs through 3/8. Upcoming juried, all media art show, “Diversity.” With guest juror, acclaimed artist Frank Wimberley. East End Arts Gallery, 133 E. Main St, Riverhead. 631-727-0900 eastendarts.org LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AT THE NORTH FORK TASTING ROOM 6–10 p.m., Listen to Walter Finley while you sample Long Island beer and wine. Get there early to enjoy “Friday Night Flights,” a gourmet happy hour 4–7 p.m. 3225 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. 631-727-9513 northforktastingroom.com
do it right, but sometimes they don’t, and you can tell the difference.” What sets Long Island Knife Works apart from the sharpening someone may do themselves at home, or have done at a hardware store, is that Plock does nearly everything by hand. Hand sharpening is a more personal process that achieves a much sharper edge. He started with a grinding machine, then worked his way up to using two different hand-sharpening systems, before settling on the Wicked Edge Knife Sharpener, which has become his favorite. “It’s precise, but I’m one of those people who wants it exact, and this one does exact,” he said. “Some of those countertop knife sharpeners only have one or two angle settings. And sometimes it chatters, and it will deviate the edge, and give you little divots.” Each type of knife needs a certain angle to be efficient and effective, and Plock’s Bill Plock at work system allows him to put the right angle on the right type of blade, while keeping it perfectly smooth. “Instead of stone, I use diamond stones. They last a lot longer, and you don’t need water,” Plock said. Once the knife has been sharpened to the proper angel, he repeats the process with leather straps coated with a diamond gel. “This doesn’t actually
FRIDAY NIGHT FIRE PITS: JAMESPORT VINEYARDS 7 p.m. 1216 Main Rd., Jamesport. Serving wine until 9 p.m. 631-722-5256 jamesportwines.com WINTERFEST WARM UP AT THE HILTON 7–10 p.m., Friday nights through 3/15. As part of the Long Island Winterfest, Jazz on the Vine Concert Series, the Hilton Garden Inn will be hosting free live jazz every Friday night. Warm up with a complimentary glass of warm spiced wine upon arrival. Tapas and buffet dining are available. 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead. liwinterfest.com DANCE AROUND THE WORLD 8 p.m.–Midnight. Living Well Yoga and Fitness and Arthur Murray Dance Center of Southampton present an evening of dance performances, dinner, refreshments, and three hours of general dancing with DJ Louis del Prete. Polish Hall, 214 Marcy Ave, Riverhead. Lwyf.org LONG ISLAND COMEDY AT MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS 8:30 p.m. Comedians John Santo, Chris DiStefano, and Chris Monty. Tickets, $25/$30. 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. 631-298-0075 longislandcomedy.com LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AT THE ALL STAR RESTAURANT & BOWLING LOUNGE 9 p.m.–midnight. Live local bands weekly. Come early for happy hour, free buffet, and drink specials. 96 Main Road, Riverhead. 631-998-3565 theallstar.com
saturday, march 2 LIVE MUSIC AT PECONIC BAY WINERY 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Live music at Peconic Bay Winery every Saturday. 31320 Main Rd., Cutchogue. 631-734-7361 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR ARTISTS AT EAST END ARTS SCHOOL 12–2:30 p.m. What’s the plan? Business Fundamentals for Artists, with Ronni Rosen, Senior Business Advisor, Stony Brook Small Business Development Center. $30 EEA members, $45 non-members. 141 East Main St., Riverhead. 631-369-2171 eastendarts.org
sharpen it, but it molds the edge, and makes it smoother and shinier—just like the old barbers.” Working in his basement workshop, Plock specializes in honing kitchen, utility and hunting knives, but he also works with scissors and shears, as well as pocketknives and serrated blades. “If it’s a touch-up, it takes about 20 minutes. It can take up to 45 minutes or an hour depending on the severity of the divots or gouges that are in it,” he said. “I use a loop and I look at the whole edge. I’m a precision guy.” Plock charges between $8 and $12.50 per knife, depending on the type of blade and its length, and he will repair a damaged tip or edge for an additional fee. “I do serrated as well, and those are $12.50, because I have to go into each individual groove with a file.” Eventually, Plock would like to take his business mobile, or possibly open his own shop. “I would sell kitchen knives, some nice fillet knives for the fishermen and maybe even some outerwear, like a small little store, with sharpening on the side,” he said. “This is my passion, and I love it. So, if this comes to being a job that takes off, I’d love to do it all day long.” For more information on Long Island Knife Works, visit liknifeworks.com, or call 631-765-8623. N. Chowske
By nicholas chowske
OPICK OF THE WEEK SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Suffolk Theater Gala 6 p.m. (see below)
LIVE MUSIC AT DILIBERTO WINERY 2–5 p.m. 250 Manor Lane, Jamesport. 631-722-3416 LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY AT LIEB CELLARS 2–6 p.m. Rain or shine. Open every day from 12–7, half-price glasses Mon.–Fri. from 4–7 p.m. 631-298-1942 WINTERFEST JAZZ ON THE VINE $20 at the door includes glass of wine. For a full schedule of events and winery locations, see liwinterfest.com LIVE MUSIC AT RAPHAEL VINEYARD AND WINERY 4:30 p.m., Live music by Shenole Latimer. $20 at the door includes a glass of wine. 39390 Main Road (Route 25), Peconic. 631-765-1100 raphaelwine.com GRAND OPENING GALA AT THE SUFFOLK THEATER 6 p.m.–midnight. Back to the 30s Cocktail Party featuring Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, Grammy Award winner for Boardwalk Empire. Dress in your 30s best! Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, costumes, films, and dancing, $125. The After Party, 9 p.m.-midnight, $40. 118 E Main St., Riverhead. 631-727-4343 suffolktheater.com LIVE MUSIC AT THE NORTH FORK TASTING ROOM 6–10 p.m. Steve Fredericks will be playing as you sample the best wine and beer of Long Island. 3225 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. 631-727-9513 northforktastingroom.com
Send listings to kelly@danspapers.com before noon on Friday. Check out danshamptons.com for more listings and events.