The knife sharpener shown can be easily made of two pieces of thin wood, such as cigar-box covers, about 2 in. wide and 2¹⁄₂ in. long, and two discarded safety-razor blades of the heavier type. Lay the wood pieces together and saw a slot down the center for about 1³⁄₄ in. Lay the two razor blades at an angle of about 2° on each side of the slot, as shown, fasten them to one of the boards, and securely attach the other board over them.
To sharpen a knife, run it through the slot two or three times. The sharpener can be fastened with a hinge so that it will swing inside of the drawer, or box, that the knives are kept in, and it will always be ready for use.—Contributed by Henry J. Marion, Pontiac, Mich.
Raising and Lowering Curtain at a Distance
A Ribbon or Tape Attached to a Curtain Roller to Operate It at a Distance
To enable an invalid, or any other person, to easily raise and lower a curtain from a position at a distance from the window, a ribbon can be attached to the roller, at the center and on the inner side of the curtain. The ribbon may extend across the room in line with the window, and still operate the curtain as well as with the regular cord attached to the bottom. If desirable to operate the curtain by a vertical pull, a flat pulley may be conveniently fastened to the ceiling or wall, and the ribbon passed over it, or through a ring, as shown. This plan is especially adapted for show windows where the curtain string would otherwise mar the appearance and be hard to get at.—Contributed by L. E. Turner, New York, N. Y.
The Mystic Climbing Ring
The performer hands out a wand for examination and borrows a finger ring. He holds the wand in his hand, point upward, and drops the ring on it, then makes mesmeric passes over the wand with the other, and causes the ring to climb toward the top, stop at any place desired, pass backward, and at last fall from the wand. The wand and ring are examined again by the audience.