noun
edged tool; cutlery
Refers to sharp tools or cutting instruments, especially knives. The 'shrewd businessman' sense is a figurative extension of 'sharpness' and is less common.
切れ物は子供の手の届かない場所に保管してください。
Please keep edged tools out of children's reach.
彼は切れ物のような鋭い商売をする。
He does sharp business like a shrewd businessman.
刃物 is the more common word for 'bladed tool' or 'cutlery'. 切れ物 is less frequent and can carry the figurative meaning of a shrewd person.
Compound of 切れ (kire, 'cutting') + 物 (mono, 'thing'). The figurative sense derives from the idea of sharpness applied to business acumen.