Anybody who cooks at all – even the teensiest little bit – knows how majorly frustrating it is to work with a dull knife. And sure, there are plenty of sharpeners on the market. And many of them will do a fast, semi-passable job of sharpening.

But, most of the time, the knives still aren’t all that sharp, and they don’t hold an edge. For that, you need them sharpened by somebody who knows what they’re doing. Especially if you own some expensive knives.

Happily, Forum helpers are real sharpies, and they offer the following possibilities for getting the job done right.

Tracy Manlove of Bothell tells us, “In response to finding a good, trustworthy business here locally for professional knife sharpening, try Bronk’s Knifeworks.

“Lyle Brunckhorst is highly skilled (30-plus years) in knifemaking, professional sharpening and heat treating. The address is 23706 Seventh Ave. SE, Suite B, Country Village, Bothell. His web site is www.bronksknifeworks.com and his e-mail is bronks@bronksknifeworks.com.

Next, Terry Carpenter of Arlington says, “I am writing in response to the knife sharpening SOS in your Feb. 9 column. I am the owner and operator of the Sharp Shop. My former location was in Marysville, from 1987 to 2006. I have now relocated to the Sisco Heights area of Arlington, just off Highway 9.

“I do general sharpening, which includes kitchen knives, and I have many repeat customers for this service as well as many of the other sharpening services that I offer.

“The charge for sharpening a knife of any size is $2.75; for serrated knives, the charge is $3.75. I am open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though at times, arrangements can be made for additional pickup times.

“I also have a drop-off box located on site, in which items can be labeled and left to be serviced on the next business day.”

Terry’s Sharp Shop is at 14401 99th Ave. NE, Arlington; phone is 360-653-6097. To get there, he says, “Take Highway 9 to 132nd, go east to 99th Ave., turn left and go 1 mile. The Sharp Shop is on the right.”

And, Karen Barnett of Everett took the time and trouble to send along a 2007 schedule listing the dates and time Northwest Sharpening (www.northwestsharpening.com or phone 425-895-8408) will be at JoAnn Fabrics in Everett: May 7, July 2, Sept. 10 and Nov. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.

SOS: Everett reader Kay Carmean says, “I am looking for a recipe for duchess cream. My grandmother made it when we were children, but the recipe is long gone. It is made with pearl tapioca and gets beaten with a mixer until opaque in color and stringy. Sometimes crushed pineapple is added, and it’s topped off with a dollop of whipped cream. I would be happy to have that recipe again, as it is so good.”

If you can ante up with a recipe for duchess cream, please write to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

We are always happy to receive your contributions and requests, but please remember that all letters and all e-mail must include a name, complete address with ZIP code and telephone number with area code. No exceptions and sorry, but no response to e-mail by return e-mail; send to kruse@heraldnet.com.

The next Forum will appear in Monday’s Time Out section.