Knife-blade sharpening apparatus

Abstract

A blade-sharpening apparatus for knives and other cutting tools which uses a ceramic sharpening element. The sharpening element is a recycled aluminum oxide sodium vapor streetlight bulb. The vapor and heat expansion and contraction of the bulb during use as a light causes wear on the bulb and results in the ceramic element becoming more porous, thereby providing an abrasive surface suitable for blade sharpening. A first embodiment of the apparatus comprises a housing with a support substantially along a length of the sharpening element and a cover for enclosing the sharpening element when not in use. In the first embodiment, the sharpening element is supported on both ends. In a second embodiment, the sharpening element is supported on one end by a handle and a sleeve is provided to enclose the sharpening element when not in use. The sleeve may be attached to a portion of the handle opposite the sharpening element when in an operating position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.