Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, an abrasive endless belt is rotated in tension along a neutral plane between spaced apart first and second rollers. A guide assembly has spaced apart first and second guide surfaces which collectively converge to an intervening base surface to form a guide channel. Upon insertion of a blade of a cutting tool into the guide channel, a selected side of the blade contactingly slides against at least a selected one of the first or second guide surfaces and a first portion of a cutting edge of the blade contactingly engages the base surface to serve as a plunge depth limit stop for the blade. The endless belt is contactingly deflected by a second portion of the cutting edge away from the neutral plane to sharpen the second portion while the first portion remains in contact with the base surface.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, an abrasive endless belt is rotated in tension along a neutral plane between spaced apart first and second rollers. A guide assembly has spaced apart first and second guide surfaces which collectively converge to an intervening base surface to form a guide channel. Upon insertion of a blade of a cutting tool into the guide channel, a selected side of the blade contactingly slides against at least a selected one of the first or second guide surfaces and a first portion of a cutting edge of the blade contactingly engages the base surface to serve as a plunge depth limit stop for the blade. The endless belt is contactingly deflected by a second portion of the cutting edge away from the neutral plane to sharpen the second portion while the first portion remains in contact with the base surface.

A sharpening apparatus includes a base having a top surface with a channel or mounting rail. A clamping assembly is configured to be secured to base via the rail or channel. When installed, the clamping assembly includes a pair of jaws extending upward from the top of the base in opposed alignment with distal ends of each jaw adjustably spaced to grip a cutting implement. A guide rod has an end configured to be pivotably mounted to the base via the rail or channel and so that the rod's position along the base is adjustable by sliding movement along the rail or channel.

A sharpening apparatus includes a base having a top surface with a channel or mounting rail. A clamping assembly is configured to be secured to base via the rail or channel. When installed, the clamping assembly includes a pair of jaws extending upward from the top of the base in opposed alignment with distal ends of each jaw adjustably spaced to grip a cutting implement. A guide rod has an end configured to be pivotably mounted to the base via the rail or channel and so that the rod's position along the base is adjustable by sliding movement along the rail or channel.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.

A knife storage system and method is disclosed. The system and method utilize a resealable tube with retractable end-caps to safely store a hunting knife that may be contaminated with blood residue from a game animal that has been field dressed. The end-caps are configured with grooved cylinders to safely restrain a hunting knife so as to prevent dulling of the knife edge while simultaneously providing a fluid seal to the resealable tube to prevent contamination of the tube exterior with blood or other animal residue. Removal of both end-caps permits the tube and end-caps to be cleaned of game residue. Incorporated within the end-caps are integrated knife sharpening inserts comprised of ceramic and tungsten carbide to allow the knife to be safely sharpened in the field.

A knife storage system and method is disclosed. The system and method utilize a resealable tube with retractable end-caps to safely store a hunting knife that may be contaminated with blood residue from a game animal that has been field dressed. The end-caps are configured with grooved cylinders to safely restrain a hunting knife so as to prevent dulling of the knife edge while simultaneously providing a fluid seal to the resealable tube to prevent contamination of the tube exterior with blood or other animal residue. Removal of both end-caps permits the tube and end-caps to be cleaned of game residue. Incorporated within the end-caps are integrated knife sharpening inserts comprised of ceramic and tungsten carbide to allow the knife to be safely sharpened in the field.

A multi-rod hand-held sharpener. In some embodiments, the sharpener has a handle with opposing first and second ends, an outer grip surface, and a guide surface adjacent the first end extending at a selected angle with respect to a central axis. A first abrasive rod is adapted to extend from the first end of the handle in a selected direction parallel to the central axis and having a first outer abrasive surface with a first abrasiveness level, the first outer abrasive surface extending at a first non-orthogonal angle with respect to the guide surface. A second abrasive rod is adapted to extend from the first end of the handle in the selected direction and having a second outer abrasive surface with a different, second abrasiveness level. The second outer abrasive surface extends at a different, second non-orthogonal angle with respect to the guide surface.

A multi-rod hand-held sharpener. In some embodiments, the sharpener has a handle with opposing first and second ends, an outer grip surface, and a guide surface adjacent the first end extending at a selected angle with respect to a central axis. A first abrasive rod is adapted to extend from the first end of the handle in a selected direction parallel to the central axis and having a first outer abrasive surface with a first abrasiveness level, the first outer abrasive surface extending at a first non-orthogonal angle with respect to the guide surface. A second abrasive rod is adapted to extend from the first end of the handle in the selected direction and having a second outer abrasive surface with a different, second abrasiveness level. The second outer abrasive surface extends at a different, second non-orthogonal angle with respect to the guide surface.