A method of sharpening a cutting implement, comprising:
- providing a sharpening apparatus comprising:
- a base assembly;
- a first clamping member extending vertically above and pivotably supported by the base assembly, the first clamping member having a first inside surface, a first proximal portion, and a first distal portion;
- a second clamping member extending vertically above and pivotably supported by the base assembly, the second clamping member having a second inside surface facing and spaced apart from the first inside surface, a second proximal portion, and a second distal portion, wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are capable of pivoting to clamp a cutting implement between the first distal portion and the second distal portion;
- and
- a clamping assembly attached to the base assembly and comprising:
- a cam member supported by the base assembly and rotatable about a cam axis between a first cam position and a second cam position;
- a follower assembly having a first follower end disposed in operational engagement with the cam member and having a second follower end movably engaging the first proximal portion of the first clamping member and with the second proximal portion of the second clamping member;
- and
- a handle operatively connected to the cam member;
- wherein rotating the cam member to the first cam position raises the follower assembly between the first clamping member and the second clamping member, thereby pivoting the first distal portion and the second distal portion towards each other;
- and
- wherein rotating the cam member to the second cam position lowers the follower assembly, thereby pivoting the first distal portion and the second distal portion away from each other;
- and
- a rod positioning assembly attached to the base assembly and comprising:
- a first arm mounted to the base assembly and movable along a first arm longitudinal axis;
- a second arm mounted to the base assembly adjacent the first arm and movable parallel to the first arm longitudinal axis;
- and
- a rod positioning lever pivotably connected to the base assembly and operatively connected to the first arm and to the second arm, wherein pivoting the rod positioning lever moves the first arm in a first direction along the first arm longitudinal axis and moves the second arm in a second direction parallel to the first arm longitudinal axis and opposite of the first direction;
- a first guide rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is pivotably attached to the first arm;
- a second guide rod having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is pivotably attached to the second arm;
- and
- a sharpening block slidably disposed on one of the first guide rod and the second guide rod;
- positioning a blade of the cutting implement between a first inside surface of the first clamping member and the second inside surface of the second clamping member;
- operating the handle, thereby rotating the cam member to the first cam position and causing the first and second clamping members to clamp the blade;
- moving the rod positioning lever to a predefined position that defines a sharpening angle between the cutting implement and the first and second guide rods, wherein the sharpening angle is between 5 and 35 degrees;
- frictionally engaging the sharpening block with the cutting implement;
- and
- sliding the sharpening block up and down along the one of the first guide rod and the second guide rod.