A carrier and balance assembly for installation into the jamb channel of a window frame. A pair of arms extends in opposite directions from the strainer for resting on opposite sides of an opening of a vessel, locating the separator on the vessel. A hollow ceramic bar is then fit over the flexible tube with an inside surface of the ceramic bar tightly engaging the flexible tube so that the flexible tube provides a cushioning support between the support bar and the ceramic bar, which protects the ceramic bar from directly bearing any external impact applied to the knife sharpening bar.