a tensile force to the jaws the compression assembly 118 is mounted on the threaded shaft 113 and comprises a coil spring 115 thrust washers 117 and an adjusting knob 119 in operation the coil spring 115 exerts an axial force that pulls the jaw assembly 112 towards an outer surface 141 of the side 142 of the base 140 the clamping mechanism 110 is rotatably secured in clear coaxial openings formed for the thrust bushing 114 and the threaded shaft 113 in the sides 142 and 146 respectively the jaw assembly 112 may be rotated in the directions illustrated with an arrow 107 using the jaws 102 a and 102 b as a lever the side 142 comprised one or more indexers 109 for example studs as shown in fig2 spring loaded balls and the like that protrude through the surface 141 towards the jaw assembly 112 together with mating elements 111 for example indexer capturing openings as shown in fig2 or recesses formed in the jaw housing 104 the indexers 109 facilitate releasable rotational indexing of the jaw assembly 112 torque required for rotating the jaw assembly 112 is regulated using the adjusting knob 119 by a pulling force exerted by the coil spring 115 in one embodiment the blade sharpener 100 comprises two pairs of the symmetrically disposed indexers 109 and respective mating elements 111 which are adapted for releasably capturing and retaining the jaw assembly 112 in opposing horizontal positions suitable for sharpening particular sides of an edge.