An adjustable manual abrasive sharpener having a pair of sharpening slots formed in a frame with opposing abrasive arms being pivotally mounted in each of the sharpening slots. A rod is mounted on the frame for rotatable motion and for linear motion long its axis of rotation from a position at which the rod is locked against rotation to a depressed position whereby the rod may be rotated. The bottom end portion of the rod includes a pinion gear which engages a pair of gear racks which are mounted for movement laterally relative to the axis of rotation of the rod. The pair of gear racks respectively engage slots formed on the bottom of the abrasive arms in each sharpening slot. Rotation of the rod causes movement of the gear racks to adjust each pair of abrasive arms with respect to each other to vary the sharpening angle of the abrasive elements.