Patent attributes
Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.
