A sharpening apparatus (16) for a blade-like cutting implement. The
sharpening apparatus has an elongate body (18) and a cutting edge
extending widthwise across one end of the body (11) at a predetermined
angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body (11). The cutting
edge is formed by an inclined face formed on one side face of the body.
The apparatus includes a cradle (26) for holding a blade-like implement
to be sharpened and a mounting body for mounting the cradle (26) relative
to a grinding surface. The cradle is mounted on a pair of guide rails
(22, 24) for movement along a rectilinear path, the cradle including
first and second rail followers slidably connected to a first and second
of the guide rails respectively. The cradle (26) includes a seat for
locating the blade-like implement at a reselected reference position on
the cradle (26) such that the cutting edge of the implement to be
sharpened is located parallel to said rectilinear path. The first rail
and/or the first rail follower is adjustably mounted to enable the
lateral position of the rectilinear path to be adjusted.