Sharpening stand for a cutlery device

A cutlery device is provided having a blade with a sharpened edge and an opposite, unsharpened back. The cutlery device also includes a tang extending from the blade which is at least partially enclosed in a handle. The tang has a tapered thickness to produce a cutlery device that is balanced when grasped with some fingers on the handle and some fingers on the blade. The back of the blade is curved so that a finger may be comfortably pressed against the back. The handle is curved for comfort and pieces of the handle are secured on the tang with rivets of varying length to accommodate the shape of the handle. A sharpening aid is also provided for the cutlery device which has at least one angled wall for positioning a sharpening surface at a sharpening angle, permitting the cutlery device to be held with the blade positioned vertically during a sharpening operation.