Cleaning Sharpening Stones?

J

JD Spydo

Joined
Nov 20, 2004
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AS much as I like to relax in the evenings sharpening my various knives and tools there is one aspect of it that I dread like a root canal. Yep that's the cleaning part of it. For instance on my Spyderco benchstones and my 204 Sharpmaker the ceramic stones are a real bear to clean.

On my ceramic stones I start out by using a really cheap "house brand" abrasive cleanser to get the worst of the build up off of them. Then I take a Scotch Brite pad and dump a bunch of "Bar Keeper's Friend" cleanser and scrub them with a fury. It does get them clean but it is time consuming and a real pain in the butt to do it. I bet someone out here in Forum-land knows a better way or maybe a different way that doesn't cost as much.

I would appreciate you all sharing your methods. Maybe we will all learn something;)
 
Comet cleanser, water, and a paper towel.
Brake parts cleaner sprayed on works pretty well.
If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, you can use that.
Bill
 
Comet and 3M scrubbing pads. I think the really important part is to realize that you really don't have to get it perfect. If you spend more than 30 secs scrubbing hard with lots of Comet or Ajax you are doing too much.
 
I have a few of the spyderco ceramic files. They scrub clean pretty easily with soap impregnated steel wool pads. Better when done right after use. I never let the metal dust accumulate too much.
 
All Right!!! theres 3 of them I have never tried before. I have heard about the Ultrasonic cleaners. I think my Dentist told me he uses one to clean tools with. I will check into that.

The oven cleaner is one I will try out this weekend and I do have a can of Brake Cleaner that a friend gave me. I will try those this weekend. I have also heard that simple pencil erasers work fairly well. I am also assuming that these methods will work with other types of stones as well>>> I guess:confused:

I also wonder if there might be a solution a guy could soak them in overnight maybe. It seems like I saw something like that suggested one time
 
Way-O said:
I have a few of the spyderco ceramic files. They scrub clean pretty easily with soap impregnated steel wool pads. Better when done right after use. I never let the metal dust accumulate too much.
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That's a great Point "Way-O". I am the same way myself. Usually about 2 or 3 knives at the very most is all I sharpen before I clean them up again. I want my stones to cut/abrade consistently. Also I want to be somewhat careful with chemicals because I don't want to ruin the surface of the stones.

After I posted this thread I cleaned one by using some Clorox Soft Scrub with the bleach in it. That did seem to help speed up the process somewhat. OK I know theres more suggestions out there so keep them coming:cool:
 
JD Spydo said:
I am also assuming that these methods will work with other types of stones as well>>> I guess:confused:
Click to expand...

Mmmmh, I don't really think so, only on ceramic stones. Non ceramic stones like oil stones and waterstones should rather be lapped than cleaned (instead of taking of the steel on top of the stone, you take of the top layer of the stone, and with it the gunk.). A diamond stone will do that nicely! Good luck!
 
Generally you don't need too anyway, I never clean my waterstones, just lap them when they get uneven.

-Cliff
 
All these methods will work on ceramic, Arkansas, India, and many composite stones. There is no need to lap or resurface a stone unless it is worn or clogged.
Small ultrasonic cleaners are available from Harbor Freight for around $40.00. Use ammonia, dish detergent, and water in the ultrasonic.
Don't get brake fluid in your eyes!
Bill
 
That's what I do too,Cliff. EdgePro.I believe you have one also.Along with about a zillion other sharpening systems.While I'm at it I'll thank you for your posts.Very informative,no matter how acute or obtuse.Anywho,just a piece of glass or cement block and the sand.Just like the DVD says.And your slicin' and dicin' in no time. :eek: :cool:
 
JD Spydo said:
AS much as I like to relax in the evenings sharpening my various knives and tools there is one aspect of it that I dread like a root canal. Yep that's the cleaning part of it. For instance on my Spyderco benchstones and my 204 Sharpmaker the ceramic stones are a real bear to clean.

On my ceramic stones I start out by using a really cheap "house brand" abrasive cleanser to get the worst of the build up off of them. Then I take a Scotch Brite pad and dump a bunch of "Bar Keeper's Friend" cleanser and scrub them with a fury. It does get them clean but it is time consuming and a real pain in the butt to do it. I bet someone out here in Forum-land knows a better way or maybe a different way that doesn't cost as much.

I would appreciate you all sharing your methods. Maybe we will all learn something;)
Click to expand...

Smiths makes a combination sharpening lube and cleaner with no petro products. It works on natural stones and lansky stones. I havent tried it on ceramnic though.

Only cost $3, give it a shot.
 
JD,

Try using an eraser to clean your Sharpmaker stones. I find it much quicker than using Comet and Scotch-Brite pads.

A regular pink eraser will work fine. To be a little more aggressive you can use a "Rust Eraser" (available at many knife stores). The erasers are quick and easy and eliminate the possibility of dropping stones that are slippery with soap and water.

--SAK
 
Have you tried Gojo hand cleaner with pumice? Some dollar stores carry them in reasonably-sized tubs.
 
bama_lou said:
Have you tried Gojo hand cleaner with pumice? Some dollar stores carry them in reasonably-sized tubs.
Click to expand...

I can see how commercial hand cleaner would work. How do you do it? Do you soak them for a while in the Hand Cleaner and then scrub them? I will give it a try today and let folks know what the results. I will also try the eraser.

However I do know that there are more methods out there you guys/gals are holding out on. :D
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Use oven cleaner, spray it on, come back later, ceramics just wipe clean.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

Does this leave any residue on the stones that could cause future knife damage? It sounds very easy.

I'm lazy and usually just run them through the dishwasher.
 
Just rinse them off, I typically do in in a 5 gallon bucket of rain water. Many detergents/cleaners are very corrosive to knife blades. I clean mine rarely because I only use them to micro bevel, so it is just a few passes per side. I sharpen maybe 15 times before I clean them.

-Cliff
 
JD Spydo said:
The oven cleaner is one I will try out this weekend and I do have a can of Brake Cleaner that a friend gave me.
Click to expand...

In all honesty, Bar Keepers Friends works just as well and can be used indoors in your kitchen sink. Oven cleaner is complete overkill and highly toxic. Save it for degreasing engines.
 
I don't use ceramic for knives, but I do use it as the next to the last stage for 1911 trigger jobs. For clean up, I merely use a pencil eraser.

Am I missing something here?

Rich
 
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