tool sharpening apparatus including a base member having a first support carrying a floating head and a second support for receiving the tool to be sharpened and for holding the same in proper position . a sharpening element , such as a file , is mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement on the floating head for sharpening the tool . the floating head member is biased away from its support member and is movable vertically to move the file into and out of engagement with the leading edge of the tool so that slight pressure on the file on the forward stroke moves the assembly down into engagement with the tool , and release of such pressure when pulling the file back allows the file to be urged away from the tool .