A New or Improved Knife Sharpener.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 4th June, 1898
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Knife Sharpener.
I, EDWARD HENRY JONES, of 2, Burton Crescent, London, W.C., Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention relates to a new or improved knife sharpener and has for its object
to provide a simple and efficient device especially adapted for sharpening pen knives,
but which is also applicable for sharpening other knives.
According to my invention I construct my improved sharpener of a block of
ordinary wood and preferable of oblong shape and formed at one end with a
handle.
The said block forms the rubbing surface upon which to sharpen the knife
and is well adapted for the purpose by reason of its porous, spongy and absorbing
nature.
I charge the wooden block with a sharpening medium such as ordinary emery
compo or razor paste so that it will not heat the compo by reason of its containing
oil or grease and the like which keeps the block in a semi-moist state thus pre-
venting the knife blades from heating or softening in the process of sharpening.
In order to charge the block with the said emery compo I provide the face of the
same with one or more narrow slits, or saw-cuts extending down to about one
eighth of an inch of the lower face, or back of the same and curving upwards, or
terminating to within a quarter of an inch of each end thereof.
These slits, or cuts are filled under pressure with the emery compo or razor paste
and will contain sufficient of the latter to render the device effective during the life
of the block thus dispensing with the necessity of applying any fresh compo, or
keeping in hand a separate supply.
The blade of the knife in the process of sharpening forces the gritty particles of
the emery compo into the pores of the wood which are softened and opened by
means of the oil, or grease contained in the said compo, and in a short time the
surface of the block hardens, or becomes comparatively non-elastic, thus expediting
the process of sharpening, and setting up an edge in much less time than with the
ordinary oil stones, or hones heretofore in use.
I may also provide the block with an outer case, or sheath.
And in order to clearly understand my invention reference is made to the
accompanying sheet of drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the sharpener, and
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section thereof, Fig. 3 is a plan, and Fig. 4 a
perspective view of the block in cross-section with the case in position thereon.
a is the wooden block formed with the handle a¹, b is the slit, or saw-cut formed in
the face of the block and extending vertically downwards to about one eighth of
an inch from the lower face, or back a² of the block.
The said slit runs longitudinally along the centre of the block and terminates
within a quarter of an inch of each end as shewn in Fig. 2, and is fitted by pressure
with the emery compo paste c, as before described.
The block as shewn is provided with only one slit, or saw-cut, but two or more
may be formed therein if desired.

page_text: The said slit, or slits is, or are preferably formed by means of a small circular saw
caused to travel the required distance along the block.
It is evident that instead of constructing the block of a solid piece it may be
formed of several strips of wood screwed, or clamped together with the emery
compo paste between them the whole being fixed to a back, or base provided with
a handle.
I may also provide the block with a case, or sheath das shewn in Fig. 4 which is
formed on each side with longitudinal flanges d¹, resting in grooves a³ on each side
of the block so as to prevent its top face coming into contact with the upper surface
of the block:
Instead of the said slit, or slits I may provide the block with a number of holes,
or recesses extending vertically downwards to within a short distance of the lower
face a² and filled with the emery compo, or other sharpening paste.
By means of my invention I provide a simple self-contained device which can be
efficiently utilized by those unskilled in the use of ordinary oil stones.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) The improved knife sharpener herein before described, and illustrated, con-
sisting of a wooden block formed with, or without a handle, and provided with one
or more slits, or saw-cuts extending downwards into the block, such slits, or cuts,
being filled with emery compo, or other suitable sharpening paste substantially as
described.
(2) The use in combination with a knife sharpener described in the preceeding
claim, a case, or sheath d, formed with flanges d', engaging with grooves d³ in
the sides of the block substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
T
2017
'1
1000
J. B. FLEURET,
5, Hatton Garden, Holborn Circus, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
J. B. FLEURET,
5, Hatton Garden, Holborn Circus, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.