Selectively Deployable Rotatable Edge Guide to Support a Cutting Tool During a Sharpening Operation

摘要

Apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener includes an abrasive medium having an abrasive surface. A stationary tool support guide provides a guide surface that supports a side of the tool during presentation of a cutting edge of the tool against the abrasive surface. A rotatable edge guide has a roller member with a curvilinearly extending outer surface. The roller member is rotatable about an edge guide roller axis and is moveable between a deployed position and a retracted position. In the deployed position, the roller member is positioned to engage, via rolling contact, the cutting edge during the presentation of the cutting edge against the abrasive surface. In the retracted position, the roller member is positioned to provide a non-contacting clearing relation with the cutting edge during said presentation.

主权项

1. A tool sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool, the tool sharpener comprising:
an abrasive medium having an abrasive surface; a stationary tool support guide having a guide surface extending along a guide plane at a selected angle with respect to the abrasive surface to engage via sliding contact a side of the tool during presentation of a cutting edge of the tool against the abrasive surface; and a rotatable edge guide adjacent the stationary tool support guide comprising a roller member having a curvilinearly extending outer surface rotatable about an edge guide roller axis, the roller member moveable between a deployed position to engage via rolling contact the cutting edge during said presentation and a retracted position to provide a non-contacting clearing relation with the cutting edge during said presentation.