Knife sharpening apparatus and method

Abstract

A knife sharpening apparatus has a rear face 1, front face 2, groove 3 and a sharpener 4. The groove extends longitudinally from the front to rear faces, which may restrict movement of the knife, and

Description

Field of Invention The present invention relates to a knife sharpening apparatus to sharpen a blade of a knife, and a method of sharpening the blade of the knife using the knife sharpening apparatus. Background to the invention A knife typically comprises a cutting blade and a handle for a user to hold. Conventionally, a knife blade comprises an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge of the blade is sharpened to form a cutting edge. The blade comprises a tip at a distal end of the lower edge, and a heel at a proximal end of the lower edge. A knife may comprise a bolster located between the blade and the handle. A knife may comprise a full bolster extending the full depth of the knife from the upper edge to the lower edge. Or, a knife may comprise a half bolster extending an approximately half depth of the knife from the upper edge. Alternatively, a knife may not comprise a bolster, or any other intermediary component, between the blade and the handle. A knife sharpening apparatus typically comprises a sharpener to sharpen the knife blade as the user, holding the knife handle, draws the knife blade through the sharpener. Known knife sharpening apparatus allow a user to vary the motion of the knife blade as he draws the knife blade through the sharpener. As a result, the sharpening effect on the knife blade may not be consistent as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener due to variable motion during the drawing episode. Also, the sharpening effect on the knife blade may not be consistent each time it is drawn through the sharpener due to different motion during each drawing episode. Known knife sharpening apparatus are configured such that the arranging of the knife blade within the sharpener is restricted. As a result, the knife blade may not be drawn through the sharpening device substantially along its length and the sharpening effect on the knife blade may be limited to a portion of the lower edge. The present invention seeks to address at least some of the above problems of the prior art. Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the present invention relates to a knife sharpening apparatus to sharpen a blade of a knife. The knife blade has a heel, and a tip. The knife may further comprise a handle, and a bolster between the blade and the handle. Alternatively, the knife may further comprise a handle, and no bolster nor other intermediary component between the handle and the blade. The knife sharpening apparatus comprises a sharpener configured to sharpen the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn though the sharpener. The knife sharpening device further comprises a first side face, a second side face opposing the first side face, and an open ended groove extending longitudinally from the first side face to the opposing second side face. The groove has a first open end adjacent the first side face, and a second open end adjacent the opposing second side face. The sharpener is arranged within the groove, at the first end of the groove. By positioning the sharpener at the first end of the groove, there is a gap space in the groove between the sharpener and the second end of the groove. The knife sharpening apparatus is configured to receive the knife blade in an initial position within the groove prior to sharpening, wherein a heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove in the gap space to the rear of the sharpener. Furthermore, the knife bolster of the knife abuts the first end face if the knife comprises a knife bolster between the knife blade and the knife handle, or the handle of the knife abuts the first side face if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and the knife handle. Starting with the knife blade in the initial position, the sharpener is configured to sharpen the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face. The groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener as the knife blade is drawn along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. The groove may be configured to guide the motion of the knife blade to substantially maintain motion of the knife blade in same plane. The groove may be configured to guide the motion of the knife blade to at least limit roll motion, yaw motion and / or pitch motion of the knife blade. Due to the initial position of the knife blade in the groove prior to sharpening and guiding of motion by the groove during sharpening, the knife blade can be drawn through the sharpener substantially along its length, from the heel to the tip of the knife blade. As a result, the knife sharpening apparatus is able to sharpen the knife blade along its length. Guiding the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener enhances the consistency of the sharpening effect by the sharpener on the knife blade. As a result, the knife sharpening apparatus provides an improved consistent sharpening effect on the knife blade. The knife sharpening apparatus is configured to be manually operable by a user holding the knife handle. As such, the user holding the knife handle may place the knife blade in the initial position within the groove. The user holding the knife handle may draw the knife blade along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. The first side face may be configured to at least limit adverse interference with the user’s hand holding knife handle when the knife blade is received in the groove in the initial position and / or when the knife blade is being drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. For example, the first side face may be reclined, recessed and / or concave to at least limit adverse interference with the user’s hand. By limiting adverse interference, preferably avoiding adverse interference, between the knife sharpening apparatus and the user’s hand holding the knife handle, a user is able to hold the knife handle without impairment whilst placing the knife blade in the initial position within the groove and / or whilst drawing the knife blade along the groove and through the sharpener. The user need not adjust the gripping of the knife handle to enable the knife blade to be received in the initial position within the groove and to enable the knife blade to be drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of motion of the first side face. As a result, the knife sharpening apparatus allows for the sharpening of the knife blade whilst the user maintains a natural grip position of the knife handle. The sharpener may comprise a first sharpening element and a second sharpening element configured to form a sharpening space there between. The sharpening space may have a generally V shape. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may be sharpening stones, tools or blades. The sharpener may comprise a buttress to support the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element. The buttress may have a gap space corresponding to the sharpening space. The buttress may comprise a first buttress configured to support the first sharpening element and a second buttress configured to support the second sharpening element. The knife sharpening apparatus may further comprise a base and a cover mounted on the base. The cover may comprise the first side face, the opposing second side face and the groove extending from the first side face to the opposing second side face. The sharpener may be secured to the base and the cover may comprise an aperture at the first end of the groove through which the sharpener protrudes into the groove. In an embodiment, the knife sharpening apparatus may comprise: a base to mount the knife sharpening apparatus on a surface; a sharpener to sharpen the knife blade; a cover mounted on the base, wherein the cover comprises: a first side face; a second side face opposing the first side face; a groove extending longitudinally between the first side face and the second opposing side face, having a first end adjacent the first side face, and having a second end adjacent the second side face; an aperture formed at the first end of the groove wherein the sharpener is secured to the base and configured to protrude through the aperture into the groove; whereby there is a gap space in the groove between the sharpener protruding into the first end of the groove and the second end of the groove; wherein the groove is configured to receive the knife blade in an initial position, wherein a heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the gap space; wherein, if the knife comprises a bolster between the knife blade and the knife handle, the bolster abuts the first end face; and wherein, if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and knife handle, the handle abuts the first end face; wherein the sharpener is configured to sharpen the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in a direction towards the first side face; wherein the groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener during sharpening. The cover may have a frustum shape comprising the first side face, the opposing second side face and a top face, whereby the groove extends across the top face from the first side face to the opposing second face. The cover may be removably mountable on the base. The knife sharpening apparatus may further comprise a collector to collect filings of the knife blade created during sharpening. The collector may be a recess formed in the base or comprise a tray secured to the base. The collector may be arranged on the base to the rear of the sharpener, and the cover aperture may be configured to guide filings from the knife blade towards the collector as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener. The collector may be configured to allow for it to be emptied of filings when the cover is removed from the base. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of sharpening the blade of the knife. The method comprises: providing the knife sharpening apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; a user, holding a handle of the knife with a natural grip, placing the knife blade in an initial position within the groove, whereby the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the gap space, and whereby the knife bolster abuts the first side face if the knife comprises the knife bolster or the knife handle abuts the first side face if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife handle and knife blade. The method may further comprise: after placing the knife blade in the initial position within the groove, the user drawing the knife blade along the groove and through sharpener from the initial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face so as to sharpen the knife blade, wherein the groove guides the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener. The positioning of the knife blade in the initial position enables the knife blade to be subsequently drawn through the sharpener along its length. Hence, the method enables the knife blade to be sharpened along its length from the heel to the tip. The groove may guide the motion of the knife blade to maintain motion along the same plane. The groove may guide the motion of the knife blade to at least limit roll motion, yaw motion and / or pitch motion of the knife blade. Hence, the method enables consistent sharpening of the knife blade along its length from the heel to the tip. The method may further comprise: as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener, guiding filings of the knife blade through the aperture to the collector. The method may further comprise: after drawing of the knife blade though the sharpener, the user removing the cover from the base; after removing the cover from the base, the user emptying the collector of any filings of the knife blade. Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts an example of a knife suitable for sharpening by a knife sharpening apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a knife sharpening apparatus according to the present invention, where the knife sharpening apparatus has a groove and a sharpener arranged within the groove at a first end portion of the groove; Figure 3 depicts a side view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 4 depicts a further perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 5 depicts a top view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2 prior to sharpening, where the knife blade of the knife of Figure 1 is positioned in an initial position within the groove; Figure 7 depicts a side view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2 prior to sharpening, where the knife blade of the knife of Figure is positioned in the initial position with the groove; Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2 during sharpening, where a mid-portion of the knife blade of the knife of Figure 1 is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener; Figure 9 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2 during sharpening, where a tip of the knife blade is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener; Figure 10 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 11 depicts a perspective view of the base of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 12 depicts a side view of the base of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 13 depicts a perspective view of the cover of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 14 depicts a first side view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 15 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 16 depicts a top view of the base of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 17 depicts a side view of the base of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 18 depicts a perspective view of the base of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 19 depicts a front side view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 20 depicts a perspective view of the cover of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 21 depicts a top view of the cover of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 22 depicts a perspective view of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 23 depicts a method of sharpening a knife blade using the knife sharpening apparatus. One skilled in the art will readily recognise from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 depicts an example of knife K suitable for sharpening by the knife sharpening apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, a knife suitable for sharpening by the knife sharpening apparatus comprises a blade B and a handle H. The blade has a top edge TE and a lower edge LE. The lower edge of the blade acts as a cutting edge, and the lower edge is sharpenable by the knife sharpening apparatus. The blade comprises a heel HE at the proximal end of the lower edge, proximal the handle. The blade also comprises a tip T at the distal end of the lower edge, distal the handle. A knife suitable for sharpening by the knife sharpening apparatus may comprise a bolster BO arranged between the blade B and the handle H. The bolster may be a full bolster extending the depth of the blade from the top edge TE to the lower edge LE, as shown in the example of the knife depicted in Figure 1. Or, the bolster may be a half bolster extending approximately half the depth of the blade from the top edge. Alternatively, a knife suitable for sharpening by the knife sharpening apparatus may not comprise a bolster, nor any other intermediary component, between the knife blade and knife handle. Figures 2 to 22 depict an embodiment of knife sharpening apparatus A to sharpen a blade of a knife. As shown in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 2 to 5), the knife sharpening apparatus A comprises a first side face 1, a second side face 2, a groove 3 and a sharpener 4. The first side face 1 and second side face 2 are opposing side faces of the knife sharpening apparatus A. The first side face 1 is a face at a first side S1 of the knife sharpening apparatus. The second side face 2 is a face at a second side S2 of the knife sharpening apparatus. The first side face may be a front side face at a front side of the sharpening apparatus, and the second side face may be a rear side face at a rear side of the knife sharpening apparatus. The groove 3 is an open ended, elongate recess (channel) and it is configured to receive the knife blade. The groove extends longitudinally from the first side face 1 to the second side face 2. The groove has a first open end 31a, a second open end 32a and an open top. The first open end is defined by a first open end edge 31b. The second open end is defined by a second open end edge 32b. The first open end portion 31a is adjacent the first side face, and the first open end edge 31b intersects the first side face. The second end portion 32a is adjacent the second side face, and the second end edge 32b intersects the second side face. The sharpener 4 is configured to sharpen the lower edge of the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener. The sharpener is arranged within the groove 3, at the first end portion 31a of the groove. By positioning the sharpener at the first end portion of the groove, there is a gap space 5 in the groove between the sharpener and the second end portion 32a of the groove. As explained further below and shown in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 16, 17, 18) the sharpener 4 may comprise a first sharpening element 41 and a second sharpening element 42 configured to form a sharpening space 43 therebetween. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may be blades as shown. Alternatively, the sharpening elements may be stones or tools. The sharpening space may have a generally V shape as shown. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may be inclined or configured to each have a sharpening angle of approximately 15-20 degrees, whereby the V-shaped sharpening space has an internal angle of approximately 30-40 degrees. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may each have a sharpening angle of approximately 18 degrees, whereby the V-shaped sharpening space has an internal angle of approximately 36 degrees. The sharpener may comprise a buttress to support the first sharpening element and the second sharpening element. The buttress may comprise a first buttress 44 configured to support the first sharpening element 41 and a second buttress 45 configured to support the second sharpening element 42. The buttress may have a gap space 46 corresponding to the sharpening space. The knife sharpening apparatus A is configured to receive the knife blade in an initial position within the groove prior to sharpening. By arranging the sharpener 4 at the first end portion of the groove 3 adjacent the first side face 1, the groove is configured to receive the knife blade in the initial position where the heel HE of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener 4 or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove in the gap space 5 to the rear of the sharpener. If the knife comprises a bolster, the first side face 1 abuts the bolster BO when the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove. If the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and the knife handle, the first side face abuts the knife handle H when the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove. The knife sharpening device may be manually operable by a user whereby the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove by the user holding the knife handle H and placing the knife blade in the groove at the initial position. Figures 6 and 7 depict the knife sharpening apparatus A where a knife blade B of a knife K with a full bolster BO is arranged in the initial position within the groove 3. In this example, the heel HE of the knife blade is arranged in the groove 3 within the sharpener 4 (not shown) and the full bolster BO of the knife abuts the first side face 1. The knife sharpening apparatus A is configured to sharpen the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener 4 from the initial position and in a direction of motion D towards the first side face 1. The groove 3 is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener as it is drawn along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of the first side face. The groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener from the initial position of the knife blade whereby the heel to the tip of the knife blade are drawn through the sharpener. Also, the groove may be configured to substantially maintain the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener in the same plane, maintain an angle of the knife blade relative to the plane along which the knife is moving, at least restrict (preferably prohibit) pitch motion about a pitch axis (forwards / backwards tilting motion about a perpendicular axis of the knife), at least restrict (preferably prohibit) rolling motion of the knife blade about a roll axis (twisting, rotating motion about a longitudinal axis of the knife) and / or at least restrict (preferably prohibit) yaw motion of the knife blade about a yaw axis (twisting, rotating motion about a perpendicular axis of the knife). The knife sharpening device may be manually operable whereby the knife blade is drawn manually along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of the first side face D by the user holding the knife handle H. The groove may have any suitable configuration to guide the motion of the knife blade along the same plane as it is drawn through the knife sharpener from the initial position in the direction of motion towards the first side face. The groove may have any suitable configuration to guide the motion of the knife blade to at least restrict (preferably prohibit) pitch motion, rolling motion and / or yaw motion of the knife blade as it is drawn through the knife sharpener. The groove may be configured to have a predetermined shape to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may be configured to have a generally II or V shape. The groove may be configured to have a predetermined length to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may have length in the range of approximately 2cm to 10cm. The groove may be configured to have a predetermined depth to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may have a depth in the range of approximately 1cm to 5cm. The groove may be configured to have a predetermined width to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may be configured to have a width in the range of approximately 3mm to 1cm. By configuring the knife sharpening apparatus A to position the knife blade in the initial position prior to sharpening and guiding the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener, the knife sharpening apparatus enables the knife blade to be drawn through the sharpener substantially along its length, from the heel of the knife blade to the tip of the knife blade. As a result, the knife sharpening apparatus is able to sharpen the knife blade along its length. By configuring the knife sharpening apparatus A to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener, the knife sharpening apparatus controls the sharpening effect of the sharpener on the knife blade. As a result the knife sharpening apparatus is able to provide a consistent sharpening effect along the length of the knife blade. Also, the knife sharpening apparatus is able to provide a consistent sharpening effect each time the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener. Figures 8 and 9 depict the knife sharpening apparatus A as the knife blade B is being drawn along the groove 3 and through sharpener (not shown) from the initial position as shown in Figure 6 and in the direction D towards the first side face 1. Figure 8 depicts the knife sharpening apparatus A where a mid-portion M of the knife blade is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener in the direction D towards the first side face. Figure 9 depicts the knife sharpening apparatus A as a tip T portion of the knife blade is being drawn through the sharpener in direction D towards the first side face 1. The groove 3 guides the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener to at least substantially maintain the motion of the knife blade along a horizontal plane, to substantially maintain the knife blade upright in a vertical plane, and to minimise roll motion, yaw motion and pitch motion of the knife blade. Together, Figures 6 to 9 depict the knife sharpening apparatus sharpening the knife blade along its length (from the heel to the tip of the knife blade) as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction towards the first side face. The first side face 1 of the knife sharpening apparatus A may be configured to a least limit adverse interference (preferably avoid adverse interference) between the knife sharpening apparatus and the user’s hand holding the knife handle when the knife blade is received in the groove in the initial position. For example, the first side face may be recessed, reclined or concave. By configuring the first surface to at least limit adverse interference, the user is able hold the knife handle when placing the knife blade in the initial position within groove with limited (preferably without) impairment between the user’s hand and the knife sharpening apparatus. Preferably, the user is able to accurately place the knife blade in the initial position within the groove without having to adjust the hand grip position on the knife handle. Preferably, the user is able to place the knife blade in the initial position within the groove whilst maintaining with a natural grip position of the knife handle. Likewise, the first side face 1 may be configured to at least limit adverse interference (preferably avoid adverse interference) between the knife sharpening apparatus and the user’s hand holding the knife handle as the user draws the knife blade along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. By at least limiting adverse interference, the user is able to draw the knife blade with limited (preferably without) impairment between the user’s hand and the knife sharpening apparatus. Preferably the user is able to draw the knife blade without having to adjust hand grip position on the knife. Preferably, the user is able to draw the knife blade along the groove and through the sharpener whilst maintaining a natural grip position of the knife handle. The Figures (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3) depict the knife sharpening apparatus where the first side face 1 has a concave configuration to limit adverse interference between the knife sharpening apparatus A and the user’s hand holding the knife handle when the knife blade B is received within the groove 3 in the initial position and when the knife blade is drawn along the groove and through the sharpener 4 from the initial position and in the direction of the first side face. The concave first side face has a recessed space that configured to receive one or more curled finger of the user holding the knife handle in a natural grip position, and thereby impairment between the knife sharpening apparatus A and the curled fingers of the user’s hand is avoided during use. As shown in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 10 to 15), the knife sharpening apparatus A may further comprise a base 6 and a cover 7. The base may be configured to mount the knife sharpening apparatus on a surface. The cover may be mounted on the base. The sharpener may be secured to the groove, at the front end portion of the groove. In an alternative arrangement as shown in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 11 to 15 and 19 to 22, the sharpener 4 may be secured to the base, and the cover may comprise an aperture 8 at the first end portion 31a of the groove through which the sharpener protrudes into the groove 3. As such the protruding sharpener is configured within the groove, at the first end portion of the of the groove As shown in Figures 16 to 19 and explained above, the sharpener 4 may comprise a first sharpening element 41 and a second sharpening element 42, whereby the first sharpening element and second sharpening element may be secured to the base 6 and configured to form a V shaped sharpening space 43 there between. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element are configured to sharpen the knife blade as it is drawn through the V shaped sharpening space. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may be inclined or configured to each have a sharpening angle of approximately 15-20 degrees, whereby the V-shaped sharpening space has an internal angle of approximately 30-40 degrees. The first sharpening element and second sharpening element may each have a sharpening angle of approximately 18 degrees, whereby the V-shaped sharpening space has an internal angle of approximately 36 degrees. The sharpening elements may be sharpening stones, tools or blades. The sharpening elements may be formed from any suitable material. For example, each sharpening element may be a sharpening element comprising a tungsten carbide blade. The sharpener may further comprise a buttress secured to the base and configured to support sharpening elements. As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the buttress may comprise a first buttress 44 arranged to the front of the first sharpening element and configured to the support the first sharpening element, and a second buttress 45 arranged to the front of the second sharpening element and configured to support the second sharpening blade. The first buttress and second buttress are configured to have a gap space 46 there between. The gap space 46 may be a V shaped gap space corresponding to the V shaped sharpening space 43 defined by the sharpening elements, so as to allow the knife blade to pass through. The cover may have any suitable shape. For example, the cover may have a hemispherical shape, cylinder shape, cuboid shape or frustum shape. The cover may have a conical frustum shape, a square frustum shape or a rectangular frustum shape. In the embodiment of the knife sharpening apparatus depicted in the Figures, see for example Figures 19 and 20, the cover 7 has a rectangular frustum shape having the first side face 1, the opposing second side face 2, a third side face 9, a fourth side face 10 and a top face 11. The first side face and opposing side face have the same first length L1. The third side face and fourth side face are opposing side faces. The third side face and fourth side face have the same second length L2, which is longer than the first length L1. The groove 3 extends longitudinally across the top face, from the first side face to the opposing second side face, and between the third side face and opposing fourth side face. The groove has a generally II shape. The open top of the groove is flush with the top face of the cover. All the side faces of the cover are concave. The top face is generally flat. The cover may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the cover may comprise a plastics material and moulded into the desired shape. As shown in the knife sharpening apparatus depicted in the Figures, the cover 7 may be removably mountable on the base 6. The knife sharpening apparatus may comprise one or more releasable attachment to removably attach the cover to the base. The releasable attachment may comprise a magnetic attachment, resiliently deformable attachment, friction attachment, gripper attachment etc. Filings of the knife blade are typically generated as the sharpener sharpens the knife blade. As shown in the knife sharpening apparatus depicted in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 16, 18, 20 to 22) the knife sharpening apparatus may comprise a collector 12 for safe collection of the filings of the knife blade. The collector may comprise a recess formed in the base 6. Alternatively, the collector may comprise a tray secured to the base. The collector may be arranged to the rear of the sharpener 4 and the cover aperture 8 may be configured to guide filings towards the collector. The collector may be configured to be emptied of filings when the cover 7 is removed from the base 6. In the knife sharpening apparatus depicted the Figures 16, 18, 20 to 22 the collector 8 comprises a recessed tray secured to the base using screws. The collector is arranged behind, to the rear, of the sharpener. When the cover 6 is mounted on the base, the cover aperture 8 is configured to extend across a portion of the collector and guide filings to towards the collector. As shown in Figure 23, a method of sharpening a knife blade using the knife sharpening apparatus, as described above, comprises the first step 100 of receiving the knife blade in the initial position within the groove of the knife sharpening apparatus. In the initial position, the knife blade is received in the groove such that the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the gap space to the rear of the sharpener. If the knife comprises a bolster, the first side face abuts the knife bolster. If the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and knife handle, the first side face abuts the knife handle. The knife blade may be received in the initial position within the groove by a user holding the knife handle and placing the knife blade in the groove in the initial position. Once the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove, the method of sharpening may further comprise the step 200 of drawing the knife blade along the groove and through sharpener from the initial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face so as to sharpen the knife blade. The knife blade may be drawn manually by the user holding the knife handle. The full length of the knife blade may be drawn through the sharpener to sharpen the knife blade from the heel to the tip. Filings of the knife blade may be generated as the knife blade is sharpened. Hence, the method of sharpening may comprise the step 300 of guiding the filings through the cover aperture to the collector. After drawing the knife blade through the sharpener, the method of sharpening may comprise the step 400 of removing the cover from the base after drawing the knife blade through the sharpener, and disposing of any filings from the collector. Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the defined claims. Optional features described in relation to the invention can be combined. Any subject matter described in this specification can be combined with any other subject matter in the specification to form any combination. The embodiment described herein should be understood to have broad application, and is meant to illustrate one possible way of carrying out the invention, without intending to suggest that the scope of this disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice versa. Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing", or "involving" and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Thus, throughout the specification and claims unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention. In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of”, "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of”, “including”, or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa. In this disclosure, the words “typically” or “optionally” are to be understood as being intended to indicate optional or non-essential features of the invention which are present in certain examples but which can be omitted in others without departing from the scope of the invention. References to directional and positional descriptions such as upper and lower and directions e.g. “forwardly”, “backwardly”, “downwardly” etc. are to be interpreted by a skilled reader in the context of the examples described to refer to the orientation of features shown in the drawings, and are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term, but instead should be as understood by the skilled addressee.

Claims

1. A knife sharpening apparatus to sharpen a blade of a knife, the apparatus comprising:a first side face;a second side face opposing the first side face;an open ended groove; anda sharpener,wherein the groove extends longitudinally between the first side face and the opposing second side face;wherein the groove comprises a first open end adjacent the first side face, and a second open end adjacent the second side face;wherein the sharpener is arranged in the groove at the first end of the groove, whereby there is a gap space in the groove between the sharpener and the second end of the groove;wherein the groove is configured to receive the knife blade in an initial position within the groove,wherein a heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the gap space;wherein, if the knife comprises a bolster between the knife blade and a knife handle, the knife bolster abuts the first end face; andwherein, if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and knife handle, the knife handle abuts the first end face;wherein the sharpener is configured to sharpen the knife blade as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener from the initial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face;wherein the groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener.

2. The knife sharpening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side face is reclined, recessed or concave to at least limit adverse interference between the knife sharpening apparatus and a user’s hand holding a handle of the knifewhen the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove and / or when the knife blade is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener.

3. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the sharpener comprises a first sharpening element and a second sharpening element configured to form a sharpening space there between.

4. The knife sharpening apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sharpening space is a V-shaped sharpening space.

5. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener to at least substantially maintain the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener along the same plane.

6. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein the groove is configured to guide the motion of knife blade through the sharpener to at least limit roll motion, yaw motion and / or pitch motion of the knife blade.

7. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, further comprising:a base to mount the knife sharpening apparatus on a surfacea cover mounted on the base, wherein the cover comprises:the first side face;the second side face;the groove;wherein the cover further comprises:an aperture formed at the first end of the groove;wherein the sharpener is secured to the base and protrudes through the aperture into the groove.

8. The knife sharpening apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the cover is removably mountable on the base.

9. The knife sharpening apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a collector arranged on the base to the rear of the sharpener, and wherein the aperture is configured to guide filing from the knife blade towards the collector.

10. A method of sharpening a blade of a knife, comprising:providing a knife sharpening apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 9;receiving the knife blade in an initial position within the open ended groove, wherein a heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in the groove within the gap space;wherein, if the knife comprises a bolster between the knife blade and the knife handle, the knife bolster abuts the first side face; and wherein, if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component between the knife blade and knife handle, the knife handle abuts the first side face.

11. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 10, further comprising;drawing the knife blade along the groove, and through a sharpener, from the initial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face so as to sharpen the knife blade; wherein the groove guides the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener.

12. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 11, wherein the groove guides the motion of the knife blade to maintain motion along the same plane.

13. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the groove guides the motion of the knife blade to at least limit roll motion, yaw motion and / or pitch motion of the knife blade.

14. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 11, 12 or 13, further comprising:guiding filings of the knife blade through the aperture to the collector as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener.

15. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 14, further comprising:after drawing the knife blade through the sharpener, removing the cover from the base; anddisposing of any filings from the collector.

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