Abstract:
A housing including a honing device, a blade sharpener, a blade restraining mechanism, and a biased blade guide being received in a scabbard or a knife block. Wherein a knife is honed and sharpened upon insertion into the housing, or upon withdrawal from the housing, or both, and wherein the blade is retained within the housing after insertion therein.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2010/000770, filed Jun. 22, 2010, which claims the priority of Australian Patent Application No. 209902865, filed Jun. 22, 2009, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of blade sharpeners and blade scabbards and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with knife blade sharpeners and scabbards. The present invention is described herein with reference to knife blade scabbards incorporating a mechanism for sharpening the blade cutting edge and with reference to a sharpening cassette for sharpening a blade cutting edge. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blades such as knives or scissors are frequently stored in a scabbard or block when not in use. Some scabbards and knife blocks can include a sharpening mechanism which is operable when the blade is inserted or removed from the scabbard or block to sharpen the blade for subsequent use. However, such sharpening mechanisms are typically abrasive and do not provide a fine finish to the cutting edge of the blade. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a blade scabbard incorporating a blade sharpening mechanism that is operable for sharpening the cutting edge of a blade which also provides a fine finish to the cutting edge. It would also be desirable to provide a blade sharpening cassette incorporating a blade sharpening mechanism that is operable for sharpening the cutting edge of a blade which also provides a fine finish to the cutting edge and which can be provided in a knife block. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a blade sharpening and storing device including:
         a hollow housing for receiving and storing a blade;   an access opening at an end of the housing through which the blade can be moved longitudinally to be inserted into or withdrawn from the housing;   a blade sharpener positioned to be engaged by a cutting edge of the blade when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing and which is responsive to movement of the blade relative to the housing to sharpen the cutting edge; and   a blade honing device positioned to be engaged by the cutting edge of the blade when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing and which is responsive to movement of the blade relative to the housing to hone the cutting edge.       

     The invention is advantageous in that in addition to sharpening the cutting edge of the blade as it is inserted into or removed from the housing of the blade sharpening device the invention also hones the cutting edge of the blade which results in a sharper cutting edge. Thus, the blade sharpening device provides the blade with better characteristics for the purpose of cutting than previous blade sharpening devices. Furthermore, the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a device which simultaneously sharpens and hones the cutting edge of a blade. 
     In one form, the blade honing device is positioned relative to the blade sharpener so as to hone a portion of the cutting edge blade after the sharpener sharpens the portion of the cutting edge of the blade upon withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that it hones a portion of the cutting edge after the portion is sharpened to thereby provide the blade with a sharpened cutting edge with a honed finish for subsequent use of the blade. 
     In yet another form, the honing device is positioned between the blade sharpener and the access opening. 
     The above forms of the invention are advantageous in that by sharpening and honing the cutting edge upon withdrawal the blade is provided with a sharpened cutting edge with a honed finish when the blade is withdrawn from the blade sharpening device for use. 
     In one form, the honing device includes a pair of honing members each having a honing surface and being arranged so that there is an overlap between the honing members and a generally v-shaped honing recess formed between the two honing surfaces for receiving the cutting edge of the blade wherein said honing surfaces are operative to hone the cutting edge of the blade upon movement of the blade within the honing recess relative to the honing surfaces. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that it provides effective honing of the cutting edge of the blade in a device that is safe and convenient to use. Furthermore, the v-shaped configuration of the honing recess formed between the honing surfaces directs the cutting edge of the blade into engagement with both honing surfaces to hone opposite sides of the cutting edge simultaneously and in a reliable, repeatable and effective manner. 
     In one form, the honing members are arranged in substantially parallel relationship and the honing surfaces are curved in transverse cross section. 
     In another form, the honing device includes a honing support member supporting the honing members, the honing support member is mounted to the housing and is biased so that upon movement of the blade relative to the housing the cutting edge of the blade is maintained within the honing recess and in engagement with the honing surfaces. 
     In yet another form, the honing device is configured to hone the blade only upon withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that it does not needlessly hone the cutting edge of the blade prior to sharpening. Thus, by not needlessly honing the blade upon numerous insertions and removals of the blade from the sharpening device the above form of the invention helps prolong the effective life of the blade and/or the honing device. 
     In one form, the blade sharpening device further includes a blade restraining mechanism that includes a restraining member coupled to the housing and an opening within the blade, the restraining member being movable relative to the housing between active and inactive positions in that when the blade is inserted within the housing such that substantially the entire cutting edge of the blade is within the housing, in the active position the restraining member is positioned inside the opening within the blade for preventing withdrawal of the blade from the housing and in the inactive position the restraining member is positioned outside the opening within the blade for allowing withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that it provides an effective and reliable means for restraining the blade within the housing and preventing inadvertent withdrawal therefrom. 
     In one form, the restraining member is biased towards the active position and is configured so that during insertion of the blade into the housing the blade engages and actuates the restraining member to the inactive position until the blade is inserted sufficiently within the housing such that the opening meets the restraining member which is then biased to the active position. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that by biasing the restraining member to the active position the blade is automatically restrained upon insertion within the housing and does not require an additional step or action on behalf of the user to ensure that the blade is effectively restrained. 
     In another form, the restraining member includes a projection which extends transversely to the direction of insertion of the blade into the housing and has a straight surface and a sloping surface, wherein the sloping surface is engaged by the blade upon insertion into the housing to actuate the restraining member to the inactive position and wherein the straight surface engages the opening within the blade when the restraining member is in the active position to prevent withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     By engaging the opening within the blade the straight surface of the projection abuts against a surface surrounding the opening to positively restrain the blade within the housing and prevent inadvertent withdrawal therefrom. 
     In one form, the restraining mechanism is operable by hand to actuate the restraining member from the active position to the inactive position. 
     The above form of the invention is advantageous in that it provides a convenient and easy to use mechanism for deactivating the restraining mechanism and releasing the blade from the housing when required for use. 
     In another form, the blade sharpener includes a pair of sharpening members each having a pair of opposite front and rear surfaces and a transverse surface extending between and meeting the front and rear surfaces, the sharpening members being arranged to overlap to form a generally v-shaped sharpening recess between the transverse surfaces for receiving the cutting edge of the blade wherein each of the transverse surfaces meets at least one of the front and rear surfaces at a sharp corner wherein the sharp corner is operable to sharpen the cutting edge of the blade upon movement of the blade within the sharpening recess relative to the sharpening members. 
     In one form, the sharpening members are arranged in substantially parallel relationship. 
     In another form, the blade sharpener further includes a sharpener support member to which the sharpening members and a roller are mounted, the sharpener support member is pivotally mounted to the housing so that upon insertion of the blade the sharpener support member pivots in one direction so that both the sharpening members and the roller engage the cutting edge of the blade and upon withdrawal of the blade the sharpener support member pivots in an opposite direction so that only the roller disengages the cutting edge of the blade. 
     In yet another form, the blade sharpening device includes a blade guide that is configured to receive the blade upon insertion into the housing, the blade guide is configured to bias the cutting edge of the blade into engagement with the blade sharpener and the blade honing device when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing. 
     In one form, the blade guide includes a pair of opposing guide surfaces defining a slot therebetween for receiving and guiding movement of the blade in a linear direction when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing. 
     In a second aspect, the invention provides a blade sharpening and storing device of the first aspect of the invention, and forms thereof, set out above, wherein the housing is incorporated in a blade scabbard. 
     The above aspect of the invention is advantageous in that it provides a blade sharpening and storing device in the form of a scabbard which is useful for storing the blade when not in use and thereby protecting the blade from damage and also reducing the possibility of injury due to inadvertent contact with the cutting edge of the blade. The blade scabbard is advantageous in that it incorporates a mechanism for sharpening the cutting edge of a blade as well as a mechanism for honing the cutting edge of the blade and which can be inserted and removed from a knife 
     In a third aspect, the invention provides a blade sharpening cassette including the blade sharpening and storing device of the first aspect of the invention, and forms thereof, set out above. 
     The above aspect of the invention is advantageous in that it provides a blade sharpening and storing device including a sharpening cassette which incorporates a mechanism for sharpening the cutting edge of a blade as well as a mechanism for honing the cutting edge of the blade and which can be inserted and removed from a knife block or another knife storage device. Also, one or more such sharpening cassettes may be mounted in a single knife block for storing, sharpening and honing one or more knives or scissors or other blades with cutting edges requiring sharpening. 
     In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a blade sharpening and storing device of the first aspect of the invention, and forms thereof, set out above wherein the housing is incorporated in a knife block. 
     In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a blade storing device and blade combination, the blade including opposite substantially parallel sides which meet at a cutting edge, the blade storing device including a housing having an access opening at an end of the housing through which the blade can be moved longitudinally to be inserted into or withdrawn from the housing, and a blade restraining mechanism that includes a restraining member coupled to the housing and an opening within the blade, the restraining member having active and inactive positions in that when the blade is inserted within the housing such that substantially an entire cutting edge of the blade is within the housing, in the active position the restraining member is positioned inside the opening within the blade for preventing withdrawal of the blade from the housing and in the inactive position the restraining member is positioned outside the opening within the blade for allowing withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     The above aspect of the invention is advantageous in that it provides an effective and reliable means for storing a blade within a housing and restraining the blade within the housing and preventing inadvertent withdrawal therefrom. The invention is also advantageous in that by providing the opening within the blade the overall structural integrity of the blade is not compromised to any significant degree. 
     In one form, the opening within the blade extends between and transversely to the substantially parallel sides of the blade and is enclosed within the blade. 
     In another form, the restraining member includes a projection which extends transversely to the direction of insertion of the blade into the housing and has a straight surface and an opposite sloping surface, wherein the sloping surface is engaged by the blade upon insertion into the housing and wherein the straight surface engages the opening within the blade when the restraining member is in the active position to prevent withdrawal of the blade from the housing. 
     In yet another form, the restraining member is configured to move between the active and inactive positions by movement of the restraining member in a direction substantially transverse to the substantially parallel sides of the blade when the blade is positioned within the housing. 
     In one form, the restraining member is biased towards the active position and is configured so that during insertion of the blade into the housing the blade engages and actuates the restraining member to the inactive position until the blade is inserted sufficiently within the housing such that the opening meets the restraining member which is then biased to the active position. 
     In one form, the restraining mechanism is operable by hand to actuate the restraining member from the active position to the inactive position. 
     The blade storage device can further include a blade sharpener and a blade honing device, the blade sharpener is positioned to be engaged by a cutting edge of the blade when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing and which is responsive to movement of the blade relative to the housing to sharpen the cutting edge, the blade honing device is positioned to be engaged by the cutting edge of the blade when the blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the housing and which is responsive to movement of the blade relative to the housing to hone the cutting edge. 
     In a sixth aspect, the invention provides blade scabbard including the blade storing device of the blade storing device and blade combination set out above. 
     In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a knife block including the blade storing device of the blade storing device and blade combination set out above. 
     In an eighth aspect, the invention provides a knife including the blade of the blade storing device and blade combination set out above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an orthogonal view of a blade scabbard including a blade sharpening device in accordance with a preferred form of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an orthogonal view of a knife with a blade in accordance with a preferred form of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an orthogonal exploded view of the blade scabbard of  FIG. 1  illustrating the components of the blade scabbard including a blade sharpener and a blade honing device of the blade sharpening device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an orthogonal cut away view of the blade sharpening device of  FIG. 1  illustrating the components of the blade sharpening device including the blade sharpener and the blade honing device. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an orthogonal cut away view of the blade sharpening device of  FIG. 1  illustrating the components of the blade sharpening device including the blade sharpener, the blade honing device, a blade guide and a blade inserted into the blade sharpener and retained therein by a blade restraining mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an orthogonal view of the blade sharpening device of  FIG. 1  illustrating components of the blade sharpening device including a restraining member in the form of an inverted U-shaped member and the blade sharpener and the blade honing device. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an orthogonal view of a knife block including a plurality of openings for receiving one or more knife blades therewithin and a blade sharpening device in accordance with another preferred form of the invention with a blade of a knife inserted within the blade sharpening device and the blade of another knife inserted within one of the openings. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cut away orthogonal view of the knife block of  FIG. 7  illustrating the components of the blade sharpening device including the blade sharpener and the blade honing device. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the cut away orthogonal view of  FIG. 8  of the knife block of  FIG. 7  illustrating the components of the blade sharpening device including the blade sharpener and the blade honing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a blade storage device or blade holder in the form of a blade scabbard  20  incorporating a blade sharpening device  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention described herein. The blade scabbard  20  includes a main body  30  which is a generally tubular member having a pair of opposite side walls  32 ,  34 , a top wall  36  and a bottom wall  38 . The main body  30  has an end wall  39  at one end and an opening  37  at an end opposite to the end wall  39 . The blade sharpening device  10  is arranged within the opening  37  within the main body  30 . The main body  30  is mounted on a support stand  28  which is configured to support the main body  30  in an upright position on a surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a blade  5  which is adapted to be received and held within the blade scabbard  20  of  FIG. 1 . The blade  5  may be any suitable shape or configuration. In the illustrated embodiments, the blade  5  includes a pair of elongate generally parallel sides  8 ,  9 , a blunt edge  7  and a cutting edge  4  opposite the blunt edge  7 . The blade  5  is connected to a handle  3  via a tang  1 . The tang  1  is an integral extension of the blade  5 . The blunt edge  7  and the cutting edge  4  extend substantially the length of the blade  5  from the tang  1  and the handle  3  to a pointed tip  2 . The blade  5  includes an opening  6  between the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  for reasons that are set out below. The opening  6  is an enclosed opening and extends through the blade  5  between the parallel sides  8 ,  9  in a direction substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9 . Thus, the opening  6  has a central longitudinal axis A-A which runs in a direction substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9 . Because the opening  6  is within the blade  5  the opening  6  is enclosed which means that the opening  6  is completely surrounded in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the opening  6  by a surface  11  which is integral with the rest of the blade  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4  and  5  the blade sharpening device  10  includes first and second housing members  40 ,  42 . The first and second housing members  40 ,  42  provide support for the components of the blade sharpening device  10 . The first and second housing members  40 ,  42  are each in the form of concave members which are configured to be assembled in opposing relation to define a hollow housing  41  for receiving and holding or storing a blade  5  of a knife  2  therewithin. In assembled form, the housing  41  has a forward opening  44  and opposing rearward opening  46 , a top wall  21  and opposing bottom wall  22  and opposing first and second side walls  23 ,  24 . The housing  41  is arranged to be positioned within the opening  37  of the main body  30  of the scabbard  20  with the forward opening  44  inserted within the housing  41  forward of the opening  37  and with the rearward opening  46  of the housing  41  arranged to be positioned adjacent to the opening  37 . Accordingly, as the blade  5  is inserted within the blade sharpening device  10  and into the main body  30  of the blade scabbard  20  the blade  5  first enters the rearward opening  46  and subsequently passes through the forward opening  44  of the housing  41 . Arranged within the housing  41  at the rearward opening  46  is a guide member  48  defining an access opening  49 . The access opening  49  is in the form of a linear, vertically extending slot for receiving the blade  5  therethrough. 
     Mounted within the housing  41  of the sharpening device  10  is a blade sharpener  50  and a honing device  60 . The blade sharpener  50  is located a distance spaced apart from the access opening  49  and the honing device  60  is positioned between the blade sharpener  50  and the access opening  49 . Thus, as the blade  5  is inserted through the access opening the blade first encounters the honing device  60  and then the blade sharpener  50 . In the arrangement illustrated in the figures, the blade sharpener  50  includes a sharpening device  52  pivotally mounted within the housing  41 . The sharpening device  52  is positioned closer to the bottom wall  22  than the top wall  21  within the housing  41 . The sharpening device  52  includes a sharpener support member  54  having a pair of laterally extending projections  56 ,  58  which are configured to be received within a pair of opposing apertures  43 ,  45  in respective ones of the opposing side surfaces  23 ,  24  of the housing  41 . The sharpening device  52  is configured so that with the projections  56 ,  58  positioned within the apertures  43 ,  45  the support member  54  pivots back and forth about an axis X-X wherein the axis X-X is in a direction across the opposing side surfaces  23 ,  24  and transverse to the direction of insertion of the blade  5  within the housing  41 . 
     A pair of sharpening members  51 ,  65  are mounted to the support member  54 . Each of the sharpening members  51 ,  65  is in the form of a plate having a respective front surface  61 ,  66 , rear surface  62 ,  67  and a transverse surface  63 ,  68  extending between the front surface  61 ,  66  and the rear surface  62 ,  67  of each sharpening member  51 ,  65 . The transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  meet the front surface  61 ,  66  at a sharp edge and also meet the rear surface  62 ,  67  at a sharp edge. The sharpening members  51 ,  65  are arranged to overlap to form a generally v-shaped sharpening recess  64  between the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  thereof. The sharpening recess  64  is configured to receive a cutting edge  4  of the blade  5 . The blade sharpening members  51 ,  65  may be formed out of any suitable material. In one form, the sharpening members  51 ,  65  are formed out of a carbide material such as Tungsten Carbide. Also mounted to the support member  54  is a roller  69  which is arranged to engage the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  in the manner described below. 
     In use, as shown in  FIG. 5 , as the blade  5  is inserted into the housing  41  through the access opening  49  with the cutting edge  4  pointing down towards the bottom wall  22  of the housing  41  the cutting edge  4  is received within the sharpening recess  64  and engages the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  of the sharpening members  51 ,  65 . As the blade  5  is progressively inserted further through the access opening  49  and into the housing  41  the cutting edge  4  slides over the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  of the sharpening member  51 ,  65  which causes the sharpening support member  54  to pivot about the axis X-X in a forward direction which is the direction of insertion of the blade  5  into the housing  41 . When the sharpening support member  54  pivots in the forward direction the edges of the sharpening members  51 ,  65  at which the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  meet the front surfaces  61 ,  66  present a sharp v-shaped sharpening recess for sharpening the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  upon insertion of the blade  5  into the housing  41 . Also, when the sharpening support member  54  pivots in the forward direction the roller  69  is also brought into engagement with the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  to assist smooth movement of the blade  5  within the sharpening recess  64  whilst in engagement with the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  of the sharpening members  51 ,  65 . Upon withdrawal of the blade  5  from within the housing  41  the sharpener support member  54  pivots in an opposite rearward direction so that the roller  69  disengages the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5 . When the sharpening support member  54  pivots in the rearward direction the edges of the sharpening members  51 ,  65  at which the transverse surfaces  63 ,  68  meet the rear surfaces  62 ,  67  present a sharp v-shaped sharpening recess for sharpening the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  upon withdrawal of the blade  5  from within the housing  41 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the honing device  60  includes a pair of honing members  16 ,  17 . The honing device  60  is positioned closer to the bottom wall  22  than the top wall  21  within the housing  41 . Each of the honing members  16 ,  17  is an elongate member having a curved lateral honing surface  13 ,  14 . The honing members  16 ,  17  are arranged in a generally parallel relationship such that there is an overlap between the honing members  16 ,  17  and so as to form a generally v-shaped honing recess  59  between the honing surfaces  13 ,  14 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the honing recess  59  is configured to receive the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  upon insertion and withdrawal of the blade  5  through the access opening  49  and within the housing  41  of the blade sharpening device  10 . The honing members  16 ,  17  are mounted in a honing member support  57 . The honing member support  57  includes a base portion  15  and a pair of upwardly extending arms  18 ,  19  extending from the base  15  to form a generally U-shaped member with an open end oriented in a generally upwards direction within the housing  41 . Each of the honing members  16 ,  17  extends between the base  15  and a respective one of the arms  18 ,  19  and is supported therebetween. The base  15  of the honing member support  57  is mounted on a plate spring member  77 . One end  78  of the plate spring member  77  is fixed to a coupling member  97  integrally formed with the side walls  23 ,  24  of the housing  41 . An opposite free end  86  of the plate spring member  77  is configured for connection with the base  15  of the honing member support  57 . The plate spring member  77  is configured to bias the honing member support  57  vertically upwards within the housing  41 . Accordingly, upon insertion and withdrawal of the blade  5  into the housing  41  the honing device  60  is biased by the plate spring member  77  so as to cause the blade  5  to be positioned within the honing recess  59  wherein the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  is engaged by the honing surfaces  13 ,  14 . Movement of the blade  5  within the honing recess  59  and relative to the honing surfaces  13 ,  14  hones the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5 . The honing members  16 ,  17  may be made out of any suitable material. In one form, the honing members  16 ,  17  are formed out of ceramic rods. 
     Also arranged within the housing  41  is a blade guide  70  which is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . The blade guide  70  includes a pair of opposite guide surfaces  72 ,  74  defining a guide slot  76  therebetween. The guide slot  76  lies in a plane which runs in a vertical direction extending from bottom wall  22  to the top wall  21  of the housing  41  and in the longitudinal direction of insertion of the blade  5  within the housing  41 . The guide surfaces  72 ,  74  include a pair of generally parallel plate members connected along one edge by an end plate  73 . The end plate  73  has a lower free edge  71  and an upper edge  75 . The blade guide  70  further includes a pair of transverse projections  94 ,  95  connected to the guide surfaces  72 ,  74  and the end plate  73  at the upper edge  75  thereof. The transverse projections  94 ,  95  are configured to be received within a pair of opposing slots  47 ,  49  within the opposing side walls  23 ,  24  of the housing  41  so as to enable the blade guide  70  to pivot about an axis Y-Y in a direction perpendicular to the guide slot  76  wherein the axis Y-Y runs in substantially in the same direction as the axis X-X. 
     The blade guide  70  further includes a blade guide biasing member  79  in the form of a helical torsion spring which is positioned around one of the transverse projections  94 ,  95  and is configured to bias the blade guide  70  to a generally downwardly extending position within the first and second housing members  40 ,  42 . When the blade guide  70  is in the generally downwardly extending position the end plate  73  extends in a generally downwardly extending direction within the housing  41 . In use, the blade guide  70  is configured such that upon insertion of the blade  5  through the access opening  49  the blade  5  is received within the guide slot  76  between the guide surfaces  72 ,  74  and the blunt edge  7  engages the generally downwardly extending end plate  73 . Further insertion of the blade  5  into the housing  41  causes the blunt edge  7  to push the blade guide  70  in an arc range of motion about the axis Y-Y from a generally downwardly extending position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to a generally forward extending position within the opening  73  of the main body  30  of the blade scabbard  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     When the blade guide  70  is in the forward extending position further insertion of the blade  5  within the housing  41  causes the blade  5  to slide within the guide slot  76  and into the opening  37  of the main body  30  of the scabbard  20 . The biasing action of the blade guide biasing member  79  on the blade guide  70  tends to bias the blade guide  70  from the forward extending position to the downward extending position. When the blade  5  is positioned within the guide slot  76  the biasing action upon the blade guide  70  causes the end plate  73  of the blade guide  70  to engage the blunt surface  7  of the blade  5  opposite the cutting edge  4  to thereby bias the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  into the sharpening recess  64  of the blade sharpener  50  and into the honing recess  59  of the honing device  60  upon insertion and withdrawal of the blade  5  into and from the housing  41 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  to  6 , the blade sharpening device  10  and the blade  5  also include a blade restraining mechanism. The blade restraining mechanism consists of a restraining member  80  that is positioned within the housing  41  and also engages the opening  6  within the blade  5  and between the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5 . The restraining member  80  and the opening  6  within the blade  5  are configured, as will be described below, to enable the blade  5  to be selectively restrained in a position such that substantially the entire cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  is within the housing  41  and the main body  30  of the blade scabbard  20 . The restraining member  80  has active and inactive positions and is movable relative to the housing  41  between the active and inactive positions. In the active position the restraining member  80  engages the opening  6  within the blade  5  to prevent withdrawal of the blade  5  and in the inactive position the restraining member  80  is disengaged from the opening  6  within the blade  5  to enable withdrawal of the blade  5 . 
     Thus, the restraining member  80  and the opening  6  interact to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the blade  5  from within the housing  41  of the sharpening device  10  and from within the main body  30  of the scabbard  20 . Because the opening  6  is within the blade  5  the opening  6  is completely surrounded in the plane transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the opening  6  by the surface  11  which is integral with the rest of the blade  5 . Although in the illustrated embodiments the opening  6  passes completely between the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  it is to be appreciated that the opening  6  may not necessarily pass completely through the blade  5  but may extend only part of the way between the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5 . However, even such an embodiment which is not illustrated in the Figures, the opening (not shown) still has a longitudinal axis which is substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  and still has a surface (not shown) completely surrounding the opening (not shown) in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the opening. In the embodiments illustrated the opening  6  is round and the surface  11  is annular, however, it is to be appreciated that the opening may be any suitable enclosed shape such as a square, rectangle, oval to name but a few examples. 
     An advantage of the fact the blade restraining mechanism incorporates the opening  6  within the blade  5  is that the overall structural integrity of the blade  5  is not compromised to any significant degree. This is in contrast to existing blade restraining mechanisms which incorporate notches or the like on either an upper or lower edge of the blade such as a concave notch in either the tang  1 , the cutting edge  4 , the blunt edge  7  or a portion of the blade  5  between the tang  1  and the cutting edge  4  adjacent to the handle  3 . Such concave notches tend to significantly reduce the tensile strength of the blade  5  as well as, and perhaps more importantly, significantly reducing the ability of the blade  5  to resist shearing forces applied to the blade  5 . For example, when the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  is placed upon a piece of hard material to be cut and manual pressure is applied to the handle  3  in a downwards direction to force the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  to cut through the hard material a shear strain is applied to the blade  5 . The notch can provide a zone of weakness in the blade  5  which if the shear strain is sufficient can result in shearing and/or fracturing of the blade  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6  the restraining member  80  includes substantially parallel first and second arms  82 ,  84  which are spaced apart to define a blade  5  receiving gap  85  there between. The arms  82 ,  84  are connected by a web  55  at one end of the arms  82 ,  84 . Each of the arms  82 ,  84  also has a respective free end  81 ,  83  opposite to the web  55 . Thus the restraining member  80  is in the form of a generally inverted U-shaped member when mounted within the housing  41 . A transverse axle  89  is mounted to the web  55 . The axle  89  is configured to be received and mounted within an axle mount  53  in the form of an opening formed in the top wall  21  of the housing  41 . The axle  89  is received within the mount  53  so as to facilitate pivoting of the restraining member  80  about an axis Z-Z wherein the axis Z-Z runs in the longitudinal direction of insertion of the blade  5  within the housing  41  of the sharpening device  10  from the rearward opening  46  to the opposing forward opening  44  of the housing  41 . Thus, the arms  82 ,  84  of the restraining member  80  are configured to be able to pivot together from side to side within the housing  41  between an active position in which the arms  82 ,  84  extend in a generally downward direction and an inactive position in which the arms  82 ,  84  extend in a direction angularly displaced from the active position. 
     The free end  83  of the second arm  84  includes a projection  87  which extends from an inner surface  88  of the second arm  84  towards the opposite arm  82 . The projection  87  includes a sloping surface  87   a  and a arched surface  87   b . The sloping surface  87   a  of the projection  87  faces generally downwards towards the bottom wall  22  of the housing  41  and away from the top wall  21 . The arched surface  87   b  of the projection  87  faces generally upwards towards the top wall  21  of the housing  41  and away from the bottom wall  22 . The restraining member  80  further includes a pair of biasing members  90 ,  91  which are arranged to bias the restraining member  80  about the axis Z-Z to a resting position which is also the active position of the restraining member  80  wherein the projection  87  is positioned within a path of insertion of the blade  5  within the housing  41 . Thus, upon insertion of the blade  5  through the access opening  49  and into the housing  41  the tip  2  of the blade  5  passes beneath the sloping surface  87   a  of the projection  87  and the blunt edge  7  of the blade  5  engages the sloping surface  87   a  of the projection  87  from beneath. As the blade  5  is inserted further into the housing  41  the cutting edge  4  of the blade  7  engages and is supported from beneath by the sharpening members  51 ,  65  the blunt edge  7  slides over the sloping surface  87   a  and simultaneously pushes the projection  87  aside thereby moving the restraining member  80  about the axis Z-Z towards the second side wall  24  which is also the inactive position of the restraining member  80 . In other words, upon insertion into the housing the blade  5  pushes the second arm  84  and the projection  87  towards the second side wall  24 , which corresponds to the inactive position, which enables the blade  5  to continue to be inserted through the access opening  49  and the housing  41  until the projection  87  meets the opening  6  within the blade  5 . The opening  6  within the blade  5  is located at a position proximal to the handle  3  of the blade  5  such that when the projection  87  meets the opening  6  substantially the entire cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  is positioned within the housing  41  of the blade sharpening device  10  and within the main body  30  of the blade scabbard  20 . 
     Once the blade  5  has been inserted such that the projection  87  meets the opening  6  within the blade  5  the biasing members  90 ,  91  are configured to bias the restraining member  80  about the axis Z-Z towards the first side wall  23  and towards the resting position which is also the active position thereof. Thus, when the projection  87  meets the opening  6  within the blade  5  the biasing members  90 ,  91  bias the projection  87  to a position within the opening  6  within the blade  5 . When the projection  87  is received within the opening  6  the straight surface  87   b  of the projection  87  abuts against the surface  11  surrounding the opening  6  within the blade  5  to prevent withdrawal of the blade  5  from within the housing  41  of the sharpening device  10  and from within the main body  30  of the scabbard  20 . 
     Thus, the restraining member  80  is configured to pivot from side to side in a direction transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  when the blade  5  is positioned within the housing  41 . The restraining member  80  thereby engages the opening  6  within the blade  5  from a direction substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5 . In one form, the restraining member  80  is configured to engage the opening  6  within the blade  5  by movement of the restraining member  80  in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis A-A of the opening  6 . Thus, movement of the restraining member  80  between the active and inactive positions involves movement of the projection  87  in a direction substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  when the blade  5  is positioned within the housing  41  between a position in which the projection  87  is within and engages the opening  6  within the blade  5  (active) and a position in which the projection  87  is outside and does not engage the opening  6  within the blade  5  (inactive). Furthermore, the biasing action of the biasing members  90 ,  91  is also in the direction substantially transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the restraining mechanism further includes a button  93  which fits within an opening  96  in the first side wall  23  of the housing  41  and which is arranged to engage the free end  81  of the first arm  82  of the restraining member  80 . The button  93  is operable to be depressed manually within the opening  96 . The button  93  is configured to be depressed in substantially the direction transverse to the parallel sides  8 ,  9  of the blade  5  when the blade is in the housing  41  which is also substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis A-A of the opening  6  within the blade  5 . Depressing the button  93  actuates the restraining member  80  about the axis Z-Z from the active position to the inactive position wherein the projection  87  is moved from within to outside the opening  6  within the blade  5 . When the projection  87  is moved outside the opening  6  within the blade  5  the straight surface  87   b  no longer abuts the surface  7  surrounding the opening  6  within the blade  5  thereby enabling the blade  5  to be withdrawn from within the housing  41  and the main body  30  of the blade scabbard  20  for subsequent use of the blade  5 . Releasing the button  93  enables the biasing members  90 ,  91  to bias the restraining member  80  about the axis Z-Z from the inactive position to the active position so that upon subsequent reinsertion of the blade  5  the restraining member  80  is positioned to lock the blade  5  therewithin. 
       FIGS. 7 to 9  illustrate another embodiment of the blade sharpening device  110  in the form of a sharpening cassette is adapted to be mounted within a blade storage device or blade holder in the form of a knife block  100 . In respect of both embodiments of the blade sharpening device  10 ,  110  like reference numerals are used herein in respect of like components. The knife block  100  incorporates one or more openings  115 ,  116 ,  117 ,  118 ,  119  for receiving one or more knife blades  5  therewithin. The knife block  100  further includes a sharpener opening  120  for receiving the blade sharpening device  110  therewithin. The blade sharpening device  110  includes a housing  140  mounted to the sharpener opening  120  such that the access opening  49  is located substantially adjacent to a facing surface  114  of the knife block  100 . The blade sharpening device  110  is affixed within the sharpener opening  120  by any suitable means. In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 9  the blade sharpening device  110  is affixed within the sharpener opening  120  by one or more fasteners  105 , in the form of screws, which are inserted through a respective fastener opening  107  of a facing plate  102  surrounding the access opening  49  of the blade sharpening device  110 . Thus, the facing plate  102  is configured to be mounted substantially flush with the facing surface  114  of the knife block  100 . It is possible to remove the blade sharpening device  110  from within the sharpener opening  120  of the knife block  100  so that the blade sharpening device can be cleaned or otherwise serviced or maintained. Removal of the blade sharpening device  110  is achieved by removing the fasteners  105  from within their respective fastener openings  107  and removing the facing plate  102  surrounding the access opening  49  of the blade sharpening device  110 . With the facing plate  102  removed, it is possible to remove the blade sharpening device  110  from within the sharpener opening  120 . Once the blade sharpening device  110  has been cleaned or otherwise serviced or maintained it can be replaced in the sharpener opening  120  and then the facing plate  102  reattached by reinsertion of the fasteners  105  within their respective fastener openings  107 . The blade sharpening device  110  is substantially similar in most respects to the embodiment of the blade sharpening device  10  incorporated into the blade scabbard  20  described and illustrated above with the exception that the blade sharpening device  110  may exclude the feature of the restraining mechanism. 
     The blade sharpening device  110  includes the blade sharpener  50  and the honing device  60 . However, the blade sharpener  50  includes a different form of a blade guide  130  which is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The blade guide  130  includes a pair of opposite guide surfaces  132 ,  134  defining a guide slot  136  therebetween. The blade guide  130  includes a free end  135  and an opposite connecting end  137  pivotally connected to the housing  140  to enable the blade guide  130  to pivot about the axis Y-Y in a direction perpendicular to the guide slot  136  wherein the axis Y-Y runs in substantially in the same direction as the axis X-X. A torsion spring  139  is mounted to the connecting end  137  and is configured to bias the blade guide  130  to a position generally blocking the access opening  49 . When the blade guide  130  is in this position, in use, the blade guide  130  is configured such that upon insertion of the blade  5  through the access opening  49  the blade  5  is received within the guide slot  136  between the guide surfaces  132 , 134  and the blunt edge  7  engages the generally guide slot  136 . Further insertion of the blade  5  into the housing  140  causes the blunt edge  7  to push the blade guide  130  in an arc range of motion about the axis Y-Y from a position blocking the access opening  49  to a generally inward extending position within the sharpener opening  120  of the knife block  100 . 
     When the blade guide  130  is in the inward extending position further insertion of the blade  5  within the sharpener opening  120  causes the blade  5  to slide within the guide slot  136  and into the sharpener opening  120 . The biasing action of the torsion spring  139  on the blade guide  130  tends to bias the blade guide  130  from the inward extending position to the position blocking the access opening  49 . When the blade  5  is positioned within the guide slot  136  the biasing action upon the blade guide  130  causes the guide slot  136  to engage the blunt surface  7  of the blade  5  opposite the cutting edge  4  to thereby bias the cutting edge  4  of the blade  5  into the sharpening recess  64  of the blade sharpener  50  and into the honing recess  59  of the honing device  60  upon insertion and withdrawal of the blade  5  into and from the sharpener opening  120 . 
     A blade sharpener and blade storage device or blade holder combination such as the blade sharpener and scabbard combination or the blade sharpener and knife block combination as described above is safe and convenient to use. Furthermore, the blade sharpener and blade honing device is effective for both sharpening and honing the cutting edge of the blade upon insertion and/or removal of the blade from within the sharpener and scabbard or knife block. The blade restraining mechanism is also advantageous in preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the blade from within a blade storage or holder device, such as the blade sharpener and scabbard, unless deliberate finger pressure is applied to the release button to facilitate removal of the blade from within the sharpener and the scabbard for subsequent use of the blade. Furthermore, the opening within the blade along with the other components of the restraining mechanism described herein facilitates an effective and reliable means for restraining the blade within the blade storage or holder device in the form of the blade sharpener and scabbard. 
     Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.