Cleaning DMT diamond stones?

Has any body tried putting the stones in a dish washer? Just thinking... it might work :confused: Or is the heat and dish washer soap to harsh mmmmm?
 
I have some new DMT stones that I'm going to clean for the first time and have some questions. Water makes carbon rust, so if there are particles left behind is it going to be problematic to use that same stone to sharpen a stainless blade? Could that then cause my stainless blades to rust?
 
It's not going to transfer and you can't make stainless rust by sharpening on a rusty stone.
 
Thank you! Having problems using carbon and stainless blades on the same stone wasn't something I heard before, but when I read that a few weeks ago I wanted to make sure.
 
Fuori said:
Thank you! Having problems using carbon and stainless blades on the same stone wasn't something I heard before, but when I read that a few weeks ago I wanted to make sure.
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I think I've read that some knife manufacturers segregate certain machining operations or tools between stainless and non-stainless materials being worked. At least in part, I think it had something to do with particles of non-stainless grinding swarf getting embedded, under very heavy machine-grinding pressures, into other blades being worked, which eventually might lead to isolated rusty 'spots' on stainless blades. I wouldn't see this as being an issue for hand-sharpening, as there shouldn't be enough pressure exerted to embed particles into the blade (unless maybe King Kong or the Incredible Hulk are into knife sharpening... ;)).


David
 
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The diamond grit is held in place with electroless nickel plating, not zinc or aluminum.
 
I use water with a bit of dish soap when I use my DMT diamond stones and never had a problem. I just rinse them after and let them dry. If I use one of their folding models (DMT Diafold) dry, I just rinse them under the tab periodcally if I have to grind a bit more material or just wipe them when I am done with a paper towel with a bit of soapy water.
 
Bar Keeper's Friend powder is absolutely the best hands down that I've used to clean diamond plates.

And although I know this is an archaic thread; yes, sharpening stainless steel on a rusty stone absolutely CAN make the stainless steel rust. Stainless is usually passivated for best corrosion resistance, which basically makes the outside layer as inert as possible. However leaving carbon steel particles or rust in contact with the stainless steel can absolutely start rust formation. Even particles landing from the air can do this. That is exactly why in industrial manufacturing the abrasives are segregated as described by OWE. The particles do NOT need to be embedded. Simple contact is enough.
 
eKretz- technically, you may be correct.
But in real-world usage it doesn't happen with knives. Simply wiping the edges off is enough.
 
I didn't say "must" - I said it CAN. I take issue with the statement made above that "you can't make stainless rust by sharpening (a stainless steel blade) on a rusty stone." That is false. It can happen.

Whether it would actually happen depends on how thoroughly you clean the blade. Using a stone by hand would be less likely to cause problems than using a powered belt as well. Either way it's not a massive issue. Any particles left on the blade would be a sort of catalyst point for rust to start, so a few particles might result in a few little rust spots. It's not going to instantly rust the entire blade. Aside from that, unless the blade is left to sit and not used, the mere wear from use would probably be enough to keep it from rusting.
 
Just to share what I do, I sharpen using mineral oil and wiping it off with cloth will do as the swarf will be floated by the oil.
 
One method not listed yet, ultra sonic cleaner and dish soap. Works as good as barkeeper's friend without the hassel.

So another words as clean as it's gonna get.
 
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