Foldable tool sharpener

A method for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, the method comprising:

• transitioning a foldable sharpener from a closed position to an open position by rotating a second support member relative to a first support member via an intervening hinge assembly that rotates about a hinge axis, the closed position providing a first abrasive surface of the first support member in facing relation and parallel to a second abrasive surface of the second support member so that both the first and second abrasive surfaces intersect a plane normal to the hinge axis, the closed position further providing a first guide surface of the first support member in facing relation to a second guide surface of the second support member, the open position providing the first abrasive surface of the first support member at a maximum intervening angle determined by a limit feature surface of the first support member that prevents further rotation of the second support member with respect to the first support member by way of contact with a shoulder surface of the second support member against the limit surface of the first support member;
• performing a primary sharpening operation upon the cutting tool by grasping the second support member in a first hand of a user, grasping the cutting tool in a second hand of the user, and advancing the cutting edge along the first abrasive surface of the first support member;
• and
• performing a secondary sharpening operation upon the cutting tool by subsequently grasping the first support member in the first hand, grasping the cutting tool in the second hand, and advancing the cutting edge along the second abrasive surface of the second support member.

A sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, the sharpener comprising:

• a first support member which supports a first abrasive surface, the first support member comprising at least a first guide at a selected end of the first abrasive surface and a limit surface;
• a second support member which supports a second abrasive surface, the second support member comprising at least a second guide at a selected end of the second abrasive surface and a shoulder surface configured to contactingly engage the limit surface of the first support member;
• and
• a hinge assembly which couples the first and second support member to facilitate movement of the second support member relative to the first support member between a closed position and an open position, wherein the hinge assembly rotates about a hinge axis, wherein the closed position provides the first abrasive surface of the first support member in facing relation and parallel to the second abrasive surface of the second support member so that both the first and second abrasive surfaces intersect a plane normal to the hinge axis, and wherein the open position provides the first abrasive surface of the first support member at a maximum intervening angle determined by contact between the limit surface of the first support member and the shoulder surface of the second support member that prevents further rotation of the second support member with respect to the first support member, the maximum intervening angle being no less than 110 degrees and no more than 160 degrees to facilitate grasping, by a user, of each of the respective first and second support members during sharpening operations utilizing the corresponding second and first abrasive surfaces thereof.