Knife sharpening apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knife sharpening apparatus to sharpen a blade of a knife, and a method to sharpen the blade of the knife using the knife sharpening apparatus. The knife sharpening apparatus comprises a first side face; a second side face opposing the first side face; a groove and a sharpener. The groove extends longitudinally between the first side face and the opposing second side face. The groove has a first end adjacent the first side face; and a second end adjacent the opposing side face. The sharpener is arranged within the groove at the first end, whereby there is a gap space in the groove between the sharpener and the second end. The groove 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 within the gap space to the rear of the sharpener; wherein, if the knife comprises a bolster between the knife blade and a 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. 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. The groove is configured to guide the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener.

Description

[0001]KNIFE SHARPENING APPARATUS AND METHOD 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 ata 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 intermediarycomponent, 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 thesharpener due to variable motion during the drawing episode. Also, the sharpeningeffect on the knife blade may not be consistent each time it is drawn through thesharpener 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 bedrawn through the sharpening device substantially along its length and thesharpening 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 theprior art. Summary of the InventionA first aspect of the present invention relates to a knife sharpening apparatus tosharpen a blade of a knife. The knife blade has a heel, and a tip. The knife mayfurther comprise a handle, and a bolster between the blade and the handle.Alternatively, the knife may further comprise a handle, and no bolster nor otherintermediary 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 faceopposing the first side face, and an open ended groove extending longitudinally fromthe first side face to the opposing second side face. The groove has a first open endadjacent the first side face, and a second open end adjacent the opposing secondside 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 initialposition within the groove prior to sharpening, wherein a heel of the knife blade isarranged 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 bolsterbetween the knife blade and the knife handle, or the handle of the knife abuts thefirst side face if the knife does not comprise any intermediary component betweenthe 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 thesharpener as the knife blade is drawn along the groove and through the sharpenerfrom the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. Thegroove may be configured to guide the motion of the knife blade to substantiallymaintain motion of the knife blade in same plane. The groove may be configured toguide the motion of the knife blade to at least limit roll motion, yaw motion and / orpitch motion of the knife blade.Due to the initial position of the knife blade in the groove prior to sharpening andguiding of motion by the groove during sharpening, the knife blade can be drawnthrough the sharpener substantially along its length, from the heel to the tip of theknife blade. As a result, the knife sharpening apparatus is able to sharpen the knifeblade along its length.Guiding the motion of the knife blade through the sharpener enhances theconsistency of the sharpening effect by the sharpener on the knife blade. As a result,the knife sharpening apparatus provides an improved consistent sharpening effecton 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 inthe initial position and / or when the knife blade is being drawn through the sharpenerfrom the initial position and in the direction of motion towards the first side face. Forexample, the first side face may be reclined, recessed and / or concave to at leastlimit 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 useris able to hold the knife handle without impairment whilst placing the knife blade inthe 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 grooveand to enable the knife blade to be drawn through the sharpener from the initialposition and in the direction of motion of the first side face. As a result, the knifesharpening apparatus allows for the sharpening of the knife blade whilst the usermaintains a natural grip position of the knife handle.The sharpener may comprise a first sharpening element and a second sharpeningelement 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 asecond 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 andthe 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 ofthe knife blade created during sharpening. The collector may be a recess formed inthe base or comprise a tray secured to the base. The collector may be arranged onthe base to the rear of the sharpener, and the cover aperture may be configured toguide filings from the knife blade towards the collector as the knife blade is drawnthrough 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 theknife. 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 aninitial position within the groove, whereby the heel of the knife blade is arranged inthe groove within the sharpener or the heel of the knife blade is arranged in thegroove within the gap space, and whereby the knife bolster abuts the first side face ifthe knife comprises the knife bolster or the knife handle abuts the first side face if theknife 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 drawingthe knife blade along the groove and through sharpener from the initial position andin 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 methodenables 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 thesame plane. The groove may guide the motion of the knife blade to at least limit rollmotion, yaw motion and / or pitch motion of the knife blade. Hence, the methodenables consistent sharpening of the knife blade along its length from the heel to thetip. The method may further comprise: as the knife blade is drawn through the sharpener, guiding filings of the knife bladethrough 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 filingsof 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 sharpeningapparatus 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 tosharpening, where the knife blade of the knife of Figure is positioned in the initialposition 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 2during 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 apparatusof Figure 2;Figure 21 depicts a top view of the cover of the knife sharpening apparatus of Figure2; 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 sharpeningapparatus. 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 InventionFigure 1 depicts an example of knife K suitable for sharpening by the knifesharpening apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, aknife 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 edgeof the blade acts as a cutting edge, and the lower edge is sharpenable by the knifesharpening 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 abolster BO arranged between the blade B and the handle H. The bolster may be afull bolster extending the depth of the blade from the top edge TE to the lower edgeLE, as shown in the example of the knife depicted in Figure 1. Or, the bolster may bea 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 ablade of a knife.As shown in the Figures (see, for example, Figures 2 to 5), the knife sharpeningapparatus A comprises a first side face 1, a second side face 2, a groove 3 and asharpener 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 theknife sharpening apparatus. The first side face may be a front side face at a frontside of the sharpening apparatus, and the second side face may be a rear side faceat a rear side of the knife sharpening apparatus.The groove 3 is an open ended, elongate recess (channel) and it is configured toreceive the knife blade. The groove extends longitudinally from the first side face 1 tothe second side face 2. The groove has a first open end 31a, a second open end32a and an open top. The first open end is defined by a first open end edge 31b. Thesecond open end is defined by a second open end edge 32b. The first open endportion 31a is adjacent the first side face, and the first open end edge 31b intersectsthe first side face. The second end portion 32a is adjacent the second side face, andthe second end edge 32b intersects the second side face.The sharpener 4 is configured to sharpen the lower edge of the knife blade as theknife 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 secondsharpening element 42 configured to form a sharpening space 43 therebetween. Thefirst sharpening element and second sharpening element may be blades as shown. Alternatively, the sharpening elements may be stones or tools. The sharpeningspace may have a generally V shape as shown. The first sharpening element andsecond 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 sharpeningangle of approximately 18 degrees, whereby the V-shaped sharpening space has aninternal 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 sharpeningelement 41 and a second buttress 45 configured to support the second sharpeningelement 42. The buttress may have a gap space 46 corresponding to the sharpeningspace. 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 thefirst end portion of the groove 3 adjacent the first side face 1, the groove isconfigured to receive the knife blade in the initial position where the heel HE of theknife blade is arranged in the groove within the sharpener 4 or the heel of the knifeblade is arranged in the groove in the gap space 5 to the rear of the sharpener. If theknife 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 notcomprise 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 manuallyoperable by a user whereby the knife blade is arranged in the initial position withinthe 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 aknife 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 thesharpener 4 (not shown) and the full bolster BO of the knife abuts the first side face1. 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 adirection of motion D towards the first side face 1. The groove 3 is configured toguide 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 tothe tip of the knife blade are drawn through the sharpener. Also, the groove may beconfigured to substantially maintain the motion of the knife blade through thesharpener in the same plane, maintain an angle of the knife blade relative to theplane along which the knife is moving, at least restrict (preferably prohibit) pitchmotion about a pitch axis (forwards / backwards tilting motion about a perpendicularaxis of the knife), at least restrict (preferably prohibit) rolling motion of the knife bladeabout 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 yawaxis (twisting, rotating motion about a perpendicular axis of the knife). The knifesharpening device may be manually operable whereby the knife blade is drawnmanually along the groove and through the sharpener from the initial position and inthe 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 knifeblade along the same plane as it is drawn through the knife sharpener from the initialposition in the direction of motion towards the first side face. The groove may haveany 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 bladeas it is drawn through the knife sharpener. The groove may be configured to have apredetermined shape to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. Forexample, the groove may be configured to have a generally U or V shape. Thegroove may be configured to have a predetermined length to guide the motion of theknife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may have length in the rangeof approximately 2cm to 10cm. The groove may be configured to have apredetermined depth to guide the motion of the knife through the sharpener. Forexample, 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 ofthe knife through the sharpener. For example, the groove may be configured to havea width in the range of approximately 3mm to 1cm.By configuring the knife sharpening apparatus A to position the knife blade in theinitial position prior to sharpening and guiding the motion of the knife blade throughthe 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 tosharpen 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 isbeing drawn along the groove 3 and through sharpener (not shown) from the initialposition 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 knifeblade is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener in the direction Dtowards the first side face. Figure 9 depicts the knife sharpening apparatus A as a tipT portion of the knife blade is being drawn through the sharpener in direction Dtowards the first side face 1. The groove 3 guides the motion of the knife bladethrough 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 knifeblade along its length (from the heel to the tip of the knife blade) as the knife blade isdrawn 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 aleast 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 placingthe 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 thegroove 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 thegroove and through the sharpener from the initial position and in the direction ofmotion towards the first side face. By at least limiting adverse interference, the useris able to draw the knife blade with limited (preferably without) impairment betweenthe 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 sharpeningapparatus where the first side face 1 has a concave configuration to limit adverseinterference between the knife sharpening apparatus A and the user’s hand holdingthe knife handle when the knife blade B is received within the groove 3 in the initialposition 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 morecurled finger of the user holding the knife handle in a natural grip position, andthereby 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 sharpeningapparatus 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 11to 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 thesharpener protrudes into the groove 3. As such the protruding sharpener isconfigured within the groove, at the first end portion of the of the grooveAs shown in Figures 16 to 19 and explained above, the sharpener 4 may comprise afirst sharpening element 41 and a second sharpening element 42, whereby the firstsharpening 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 asharpening 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 45arranged to the front of the second sharpening element and configured to supportthe 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 gapspace corresponding to the V shaped sharpening space 43 defined by thesharpening 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 forexample Figures 19 and 20, the cover 7 has a rectangular frustum shape having thefirst side face 1, the opposing second side face 2, a third side face 9, a fourth sideface 10 and a top face 11. The first side face and opposing side face have the samefirst 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 faceand opposing fourth side face. The groove has a generally U shape. The open top ofthe groove is flush with the top face of the cover. All the side faces of the cover areconcave. 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 maybe removably mountable on the base 6. The knife sharpening apparatus maycomprise 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 knifeblade. As shown in the knife sharpening apparatus depicted in the Figures (see, forexample, Figures 16, 18, 20 to 22) the knife sharpening apparatus may comprise acollector 12 for safe collection of the filings of the knife blade. The collector maycomprise 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 collector8 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 knifesharpening apparatus, as described above, comprises the first step 100 of receivingthe knife blade in the initial position within the groove of the knife sharpeningapparatus. 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 userholding the knife handle and placing the knife blade in the groove in the initialposition. 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 motiontowards the first side face so as to sharpen the knife blade. The knife blade may bedrawn 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 throughthe cover aperture to the collector. After drawing the knife blade through the sharpener, the method of sharpening maycomprise the step 400 of removing the cover from the base after drawing the knifeblade 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 excludeother additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" isconsidered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legalpurposes. Thus, throughout the specification and claims unless the context requiresotherwise, 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 presentinvention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formedpart 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

CLAIMS1. A knife sharpening apparatus to sharpen a blade of a knife, the apparatuscomprising: 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 anda knife handle, the knife 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 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 faceis 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 knife when the knife blade is arranged in the initial position within the groove and / orwhen the knife blade is being drawn along the groove and through the sharpener.

3. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein thesharpener 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 sharpeningspace is a V-shaped sharpening space.

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

7. The knife sharpening apparatus according to any previous claim, furthercomprising: a base to mount the knife sharpening apparatus on a surface a 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 isremovably mountable on the base.

9. The knife sharpening apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising acollector 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 theknife handle, the knife bolster abuts the first side face; and wherein, if the knifedoes 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, furthercomprising; drawing the knife blade along the groove, and through a sharpener, from theinitial position and in a direction of motion towards the first side face so as tosharpen the knife blade; wherein the groove guides the motion of the knife bladethrough the sharpener.

12. The method of sharpening the blade of the knife according to claim 11, whereinthe groove guides the motion of the knife blade to maintain motion along thesame 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 rollmotion, 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, furthercomprising: after drawing the knife blade through the sharpener, removing the cover from the base; and disposing of any filings from the collector.

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