Advice on cleaning sharpmaker?

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JTR357

JTR357

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Hi everyone,I apologize if this has been posted before.I got my Spyderco Sharpmaker 204 about a month ago & I love it.I notice there's quite a bit of steel embedded in the tri-stones & they're not working too well anymore.Does anyone have any tips on cleaning these?I know you're supposed to use scouring powder,but should I do this under running hot/cold water?What type of scrubber do you use?I wouldn't think steel wool would work,cause it would just put more steel into the stones.

Thanks in advance for your input.:)
 
The last time I cleaned mine, I used a Scotchbrite pad and some Soft Scrub w/bleach. The rods look nearly brand new. Scotchbrite pads and Bartender's Friend works well too.
 
some sort of abrasive pad (scotchbrite) and comet cleaner. Any abrasive cleaner like comet will work. I bought the cheapest stuff they had at the store and it works fine. I clean mine after 2 or 3 knives.
 
For quick cleanup, I'll use an eraser--one of those pink block ones. And I'll use the eraser a lot during my sessions.
For a more thorough cleaning, I'll take it to the sink and scrub with Barkeepers Friend and a Scotchbrite pad. I use cold water, I haven't noticed a huge difference using hot water.
 
In a pinch, a small dab of tooth paste works pretty good with the Scotchbrite pad.
 
I've tried Hoppes #9, Magic Eraser and water, and Comet or Ajax.

I keep returning to Comet with a nylon pad under running warm or hot water. Nothing gets them cleaner. Stand them upright at an angle against the dishrack to dry. (Clean them OFTEN)
 
I keep hearing about this Barkeepers Friend,do you know where I can find them?I'm in east central Jersey?
 
JTR357 said:
I keep hearing about this Barkeepers Friend,do you know where I can find them?I'm in east central Jersey?
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It's essentially the same thing as powdered Comet or Ajax cleaner that comes in the can.

Get any one of those and you'll be fine.
 
Between scrubbings you can use an eraser. I get the big ones like you used in kindergarten.:D They're about $.70 each and will get the vast majority of the metal off the rods. I also use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers occasionally and find they work pretty well (although some people don't seem to like 'em at all).

If you use the eraser after each use you won't need to scrub them with abrasives very often, at least in my experience.
 
The erasers are a good idea (as is Hoppes #9, Simple Green, etc) between scrubbings with Comet or Ajax. The reason is because the stones will load rather quickly, and this gets you back into the job, saving the scrubbings for when the stones are really loaded.
 
On my smith's diamond rod pocket sharpener, I just wipe it off with my thumb after a couple of passes on whichever knife I'm currently sharpening. A lot of grey dust comes off and it rubs out easily with just a bit of water and soap:D.
 
JTR357 said:
Anybody got a link for these erasers?
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I just get 'em at Wal-Mart of Lewis Drug. The pink ones work okay but the green ones work even better and last longer- they're more "rubbery" and flake a bit less. My favorite is made by "Foohey" or something like that. It's just a big, silly looking eraser!:D
 
Many specialty erasers for ceramic sharpener cleaning with built in abrasives, but not too abrasive.
one example is:
Multi-Purpose Eraser Block Part Number: UC135A
from Knifecenter.com
 
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