Apparatus and method for sharpening a cutting tool so as to have enhanced cutting performance. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener is provided having a rigid body with a slot extending therein. A knurl roller is disposed within an internal cavity within the rigid body and mounted for rotation about a selected axis adjacent the slot to facilitate a cold forging operation upon a cutting edge of a cutting tool via insertion of the cutting edge into the slot and retraction of the cutting tool across the knurl roller. An abrasive member is affixed to the rigid body to facilitate a sharpening operation upon the cutting edge by advancement of the cutting edge thereacross.

Apparatus and method for sharpening a cutting tool so as to have enhanced cutting performance. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener is provided having a rigid body with a slot extending therein. A knurl roller is disposed within an internal cavity within the rigid body and mounted for rotation about a selected axis adjacent the slot to facilitate a cold forging operation upon a cutting edge of a cutting tool via insertion of the cutting edge into the slot and retraction of the cutting tool across the knurl roller. An abrasive member is affixed to the rigid body to facilitate a sharpening operation upon the cutting edge by advancement of the cutting edge thereacross.

A blade-sharpening device including a plate having a base and a raised feature. At least one force applicator applies force to a blade placed over the plate deflecting the front and back of the blade toward the plate. A gap may be maintained between the front of the blade and the plate. A blade sharpening system including a blade to be sharpened associated with a support plate. The blade is pre-tensioned over a contact position on the plate. The system includes a sharpening surface for contacting a surface of the blade while the blade is held in a pre-tensioned position. A method of sharpening a blade by providing a blade to be sharpened attached to a surface of the blade to a sharpening surface.

A blade-sharpening device including a plate having a base and a raised feature. At least one force applicator applies force to a blade placed over the plate deflecting the front and back of the blade toward the plate. A gap may be maintained between the front of the blade and the plate. A blade sharpening system including a blade to be sharpened associated with a support plate. The blade is pre-tensioned over a contact position on the plate. The system includes a sharpening surface for contacting a surface of the blade while the blade is held in a pre-tensioned position. A method of sharpening a blade by providing a blade to be sharpened attached to a surface of the blade to a sharpening surface.

A cutlery sharpener is disclosed for conditioning a cutlery edge. The cutlery sharpener comprises a sharpening shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a sharpening surface for engaging the cutlery edge. A line of symmetry extends through the proximal end and the distal end of the sharpening shaft. A handle extends between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a handle surface for engaging a hand. A non-line of symmetry extends through the proximal end and the distal end of the handle. A couple links the proximal end of the sharpening shaft with the proximal end of the handle. The non-line of symmetry maintains a thumb and a plurality of fingers of the hand in a safe orientation and safe distance from the cutlery edge during displacement of the handle relative to the cutlery edge and engagement between the cutlery edge and the sharpening shaft.

A cutlery sharpener is disclosed for conditioning a cutlery edge. The cutlery sharpener comprises a sharpening shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a sharpening surface for engaging the cutlery edge. A line of symmetry extends through the proximal end and the distal end of the sharpening shaft. A handle extends between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a handle surface for engaging a hand. A non-line of symmetry extends through the proximal end and the distal end of the handle. A couple links the proximal end of the sharpening shaft with the proximal end of the handle. The non-line of symmetry maintains a thumb and a plurality of fingers of the hand in a safe orientation and safe distance from the cutlery edge during displacement of the handle relative to the cutlery edge and engagement between the cutlery edge and the sharpening shaft.

A small and portable apparatus for sharpening the blades of a pair of scissors is provided according to the invention. The scissors sharpener comprises a main body; a vertically-oriented, stationary sharpening steel having opposed surfaces that is securely attached to the main body; a pivotable sharpening steel that rotates with respect to the main body; and a U-shaped return spring positioned between the main body and the pivotable sharpening steel. A user inserts a pair of scissors so that the inside surfaces of the two blades abut the opposed surfaces of the stationary sharpening steel for stable alignment, and closes the blades against the pivotable sharpening steel to cause it to travel along the blade cutting edges to sharpen them. When the scissors blades are disengaged from the scissors sharpening apparatus, the return spring will bias the pivotable sharpening steel back to its standby position.

A small and portable apparatus for sharpening the blades of a pair of scissors is provided according to the invention. The scissors sharpener comprises a main body; a vertically-oriented, stationary sharpening steel having opposed surfaces that is securely attached to the main body; a pivotable sharpening steel that rotates with respect to the main body; and a U-shaped return spring positioned between the main body and the pivotable sharpening steel. A user inserts a pair of scissors so that the inside surfaces of the two blades abut the opposed surfaces of the stationary sharpening steel for stable alignment, and closes the blades against the pivotable sharpening steel to cause it to travel along the blade cutting edges to sharpen them. When the scissors blades are disengaged from the scissors sharpening apparatus, the return spring will bias the pivotable sharpening steel back to its standby position.

The invention relates to finishing metallic and non-metallic surfaces by abrasion techniques. In certain embodiments, the invention pertains to an apparatus configured for finishing a zone on the surface of a bladed article of manufacture, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more channels having a cross-sectional profile including at least one finishing area to finish an operative zone of the article that optimizes a clearance portion of the article, wherein an angle of each finishing area of the cross-sectional profile is substantively the same as an optimal clearance angle of the article, wherein the apparatus is configured to position the operable zone of the article along the angle of the finishing area during sharpening.

A portable tool sharpener adapted for mounting on a rail such as may be found on various weapons includes a sharpener body in which a plurality of sharpening tools are mounted and a rail-mounting base pivotally mounted to the sharpener body to allow the body to moved selectively to a closed and open position, wherein the rail-mounting base is releasably engageable with a rail mounted on a weapon, a handle or a fixed pad.