'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMG/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAphx43//EACAQAAEDBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMCBAUAASEiERIGFHL/2gAIAQEAAT8AnYOKiTyHjYAuVNXTEZnRVlT3X2EknCNNc/VOoxPtG5cHvvfN1Zvmv//EABsRAAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEIUGy/9oACAECAQE/AILOFsldLyK//8QAGhEBAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARIAAxRBsf/aAAgBAwEBPwDMvSSW3rX/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
During Shark Tank season 11 episode 4, Mikael Soderlindh and Marc Lickfett presented Knife Aid, a mail-in knife sharpening business seeking $400,000 for 15% equity. Before filming the episode, Knife Aid reported monthly sales of $37,000, charging $10 per knife with a four-knife minimum, as per Shark Tank Recap.
Their service provides secure packaging for customers to mail knives to California facilities where skilled craftsmen restore blades within 3-9 days.
After multiple offers from the Shark Tank investors, the entrepreneurs asked to step into the hallway for discussion. Minutes later, Lori Greiner rushed after them and stated:
“Excuse me guys you want to know about passion right well I'm not sitting waiting I want this deal yeah I'm here. I'm with you."
Trending
All other panelists except Mark Cuban also rushed following Lori. In the end, the entrepreneurs accepted Lori and Rohan Oza's combined offer and passed Kevin and Barbara.
Four Sharks left their seats to pursue Knife Aid deal in Shark Tank hallway
When the founders revealed their sales figures, the Sharks showed immediate interest. The Shark Tank pitch highlighted how dull knives create safety risks in kitchens, pushing many home cooks toward their mail-in service.
Lori Greiner started negotiations with a combined package of $200,000 direct investment plus a $200,000 credit line for 20% ownership. Kevin O'Leary jumped in with a simplified $400,000 cash offer for the same equity percentage. The competition intensified as guest Shark Rohan Oza aligned with Lori to match Kevin's proposal.
Barbara Corcoran then formed an alliance with Kevin, pushing their joint offer to $500,000 for 20%. Mark Cuban watched the developing situation, saying he would consider making an offer after seeing how entrepreneurs handled existing bids.
The founders asked and stepped out into the hallways to evaluate their options. Lori Greiner made an unusual move by following them into the hallway, making a direct statement:
"I want this deal."
This sparked a rush as Rohan Oza, Kevin O'Leary, and Barbara Corcoran all moved their negotiations outside the Tank.
The unusual scene showed four Shark Tank investors pursuing the entrepreneurs in the corridor while Mark Cuban remained seated. The founders maintained composure despite the heightened pressure, carefully weighing each partnership option.
Both Soderlindh and Lickfett recognized the value beyond just financial investment, considering each Shark's industry expertise and market reach. The competitive tension gave them leverage to improve their position.
Soderlindh and Lickfett turned this rush into an opportunity. They requested Lori Greiner and Rohan Oza with a specific request to match the increased offer from Kevin O'Leary and Barbara Corcoran. The pair wanted $500,000 while giving up 20% equity.
Lori Greiner and Rohan Oza agreed to these terms, marking a significant increase from the initial ask. The final agreement added $100,000 more investment capital compared to their original pitch, though it required giving up an additional 5% equity stake. The entrepreneurs chose Greiner's retail distribution knowledge combined with Oza's marketing expertise over other partnership options.
Post-Tank performance
As Shark Tank Blog reported, the story took several turns after filming. While Knife Aid secured a deal on the show, the agreement with Lori Greiner and Rohan Oza did not close following due diligence. Despite this, the company maintained growth momentum. By 2024, Knife Aid reached $2 million in annual revenue.
The business expanded operations with a physical retail location in Agoura Hills, California, offering both mail-in and walk-in services. Each time the episode airs, the company sees sales multiply between five to ten times their normal volume. December 2021 brought organizational changes as Mikael Soderlindh left to focus on Happy Socks and other ventures.
Marc Lickfett now manages daily operations alongside his wife, Deborah. The Shark Tank company maintains its core mail-in model while adding subscription options with 10% discounts for regular customers. Their facility handles various blade types, including kitchen knives, pocket knives, scissors, and cleavers.
Fans can watch new episodes of Shark Tank on the ABC network.
