Smith's Abrasives Deluxe Knife/Scissor Sharpener

Handy knife sharpener
I've been packing my own paring knife in a toothbrush holder to take to the vacation beach house, because the knives there are always a ragged mess from being jammed into the dishwasher with all the other flatware. This year, I packed this little knife shapener.
It folds flat, and doesn't take up much room in a suitcase, or a kitchen drawer. One reviewer here complained about having to hold the handle to keep it steady. I actually like that. Holding the handle above the sharpening part keeps my fingers out of harm's way. The flipdown cover protects the countertop.
First evening at the beach house, I pulled out all the knives and shapened all the ones that had plain blades. (No, you can't sharpen serrated blades with this - I've never seen a home gizmo that will - but I haven't looked.)
Next day, the cooks were exclaiming, "Wow! This house has sharp knives!" Even the cheapie "Dollar Store" kinds were usable. My sister said, "That's 'cause Genie sharpened them all last...

SAFE!
THIS IS THE EASIEST SHARPENER I HAVE USED, BETTER THAN THE ELECTRIC ONES THAT EAT AWAY THE BLADE. IT IS ALSO SAFE: ON A SIMILAR SHARPENER WITH OUT THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD CUTS ARE FREQUENT AND DANGEROUS. THE ONLY NEGATIVE IS THAT THE CARBIDE BLADES GET DULL AFTER A WHILE.REPLACEMENT BLADES WOULD ENHANCE THE UTILTY.

Not the easiest thing to use
This sharpener comes with the ability to sharpen both knives and scissors (both left handed and right handed). It is lightweight and portable.

To operate the sharpener you must 1st flip down the guard (see picture above). This guard does not lock but there is a notch that it falls into once opened. Too much pressure and the guard will slip out of the notch and collapse the sharpener while in use. The sharpener is not free standing and requires a hand on it to keep it upright while sharpening. At best, this is somewhat ackward.

The angle at which to hold the knife while sharpening is a best guess. Although the sharpener's blade design is V-shaped(see picture above), which allows the knife to fit into the groove, there is still room for slippage while pulling the knife through which can scrape and scar the side of the knife.

The knife sharpener has a "course" side and a "fine" side (see picture above). Those with damaged and knicked blades use the course...

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