Sharpening system having multiple abrasive components

Abstract

An abrasive sharpening system having multiple sharpening stations supported on a base. One of the stations includes ceramic rods having a partial curved outer surface and a pair of flat intersecting surfaces forming a longitudinally extending abrasive edge. The base further supports a flat abrasive stone and a pair of carbide blades for sharpening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates in general to abrasive sharpeners and, more particularly, to a sharpening system having multiple abrasive stations. [0003] 2. Summary of the Prior Art [0004] Numerous abrasive sharpeners have been developed in the past for sharpening knives, scissors, tools, fishing hooks, and the like. Known abrasive surfaces may be provided by abrasive rods, abrasive stones, and carbide abrasive elements. Prior art abrasive rods typically are formed as separate cylindrical rods and triangular rods, often supported on a base. Such separate triangular and cylindrical rods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,194 issued Nov. 4, 1980 to Glesser and U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,753 issued Dec. 26, 1995 to Branscum et al. A slot is also provided in the triangular rod disclosed in the foregoing Glesser U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,194 patent for providing the added capability of sharpening fish hooks. In certain situations a cylindr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an improved sharpening system having multiple abrasive components or stations. The sharpening system herein disclosed includes a plurality of ceramic rod means having a novel configuration by which a portion of the longitudinally extending surface possesses a curved, partially cylindrical shape and the other portion includes a pair of flat, partial triangular surfaces longitudinally extending on the opposite side. The triangular portion provides a sharp edge and flat surfaces opposite to the round surface on a single unitary rod. The novel rod means herein can provide effective sharpening results for serrated or flat knives and the like dependent on which type of surface is desired. Such a multiple surface rod is convenient to use, provides highly efficient sharpening and is relatively more economical than using separate elements to attain the desired sharpening effects. The advantages of the foregoing configuration of the invention are further enhanced with an elongated groove for sharpening fish hooks or other implements. Although not intended to be so limited, the rods provide a fine abrasive surface.

[0007] The system herein disclosed is further equipped with an improved abrasive stone having an interrupted diamond surface formed from an overlapping hole design. This design speeds sharpening by collecting and holding the metal filings that ordinarily build up during the sharpening process, thus allowing the surface to remain clear and clean. The abrasive stone may also provide a fine grinding surface.

Problems solved by technology

In the past, separate rods have been needed when a particular knife was best sharpened by a flat abrasive surface, a round abrasive surface or an abrasive edge In addition, prior systems have not effectively combined the benefits of abrasive rods with other abrasive components in a multi-use system to perform a wide range of sharpening techniques in a single economical design.

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