Abstract: The present invention provides a blade sharpening system in which a cylindrical drum abrasive is fitted snugly about a rotatable drum. The blade is run across a guide plate which is maintained at a proper orientation with respect to the drum as the edge of the blade is sharpened on the abrasive. The drum abrasive is maintained at a constant radius, thereby assuring that the contact surface between the blade and the abrasive surface is substantially constant, even after a substantial number of blades are sharpened. Further, an adjustable blade tensioner assembly is provided for substantially continuously maintaining a proper amount of pressure between the blade and the abrasive surface, reducing blade chatter, allowing a rapid but accurately repeatable sharpening process.