Cleaning Sharpening Stones?

JD Spydo said:
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
Click to expand...

Just apply and scrub, simple as that. :thumbup:

Sometimes, I use Turtle Wax polishing compound to give it a nice luster...:D
 
For the ceramics I either use Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend (1 is at work, the other at home) and a scotch brite pad. Both work well and neither is harsh or extreme.

For the waterstones, lapping is all that's needed.

Rob
 
I too have always used Bar Keeper's Friend. I usually scrub them with Ajax first to get the worst of it off. The BKF really does a nice detailing job and really gets them to look like brand new. I got busy today and didn't get a chance to try the GOJO hand cleaner but I will do it tomorrow.

I also want to learn more about these "Ultrasonic" cleaners? thanks for the great feedbacks they all have some worthwhile stuff to consider.
 
nenofury said:
Oven cleaner is complete overkill ...
Click to expand...

I have tried a bunch of methods/cleaners, that one is the fastest and restores the finish the best. Yes is is fairly caustic, but it is a common cleaner used on a regular basis and everyon is familiar with how to handle it.

The first time I was cleaning the stove, and had sprayed several of the burner guards did the stones as well out of curiousity and cleaned them alongside the guards.

They went right back to NIB finish with no effort. If a milder cleaner does it just as easily then that would obviously be a better choice.

-Cliff
 
One thing that makes me think is that being oven cleaner is very caustic as one brother had stated it makes me think that it might just be chemically damaging to the stone itself.
In other words I am wondering if you used it on a fine stone or Ultra-fine stone would the harsh chemicals make it a pitted stone and ruin it's grit properities

I don't know if that's the case but I am wondering if any of you all would know the answer to that?
 
Those materials are very inert, I would not use such cleaners on bonded oil stones or waterstones though, but you don't need to either. I have used them on ceramics (various ones) about a dozen times each, no change in edge finish, viewed under mag and testing numerically on light string and cord.

-Cliff
 
I still say try this at least once -

Put them in the dishwasher (if the Dragon Lady doesn't get upset with you doing this because they will flat scratch glass and silverware). There is something in that dishwashing soap that works very well on my Sharpmaker ceramic rods. They come out looking like new. I never sharpen with any oil or lube on my knives so any discoloration of the rods has to be metal particles or some sort of blade coating.

I have never cleaned my DMT diamond whetstones. Any thoughts there? They have those little round holes and I don't want to damage anything.
 
DGG said:
I still say try this at least once -

Put them in the dishwasher (if the Dragon Lady doesn't get upset with you doing this because they will flat scratch glass and silverware). There is something in that dishwashing soap that works very well on my Sharpmaker ceramic rods. They come out looking like new. I never sharpen with any oil or lube on my knives so any discoloration of the rods has to be metal particles or some sort of blade coating.

I have never cleaned my DMT diamond whetstones. Any thoughts there? They have those little round holes and I don't want to damage anything.
Click to expand...

The only thing I have ever done with any of my diamond stones is to just take a SHOP VAC with a stiff brush to them. It even works well with my Norton Diamond Benchstones as well. I've never had my diamond stones clog up like my ceramic stones do.

You know though your automatic dishwasher gives me an idea. I am going to make a solution of some strong CASCADE or whatever automatic dishwashing powder we have and soak some stones overnight and see if that helps or not. I'll let you all know how it works out. JD
 
I'm also going to mention an eraser that SAK & richinva wrote about.You can get a nice size one at AG Russells and should last you many yrs.I also use Comet and the rough part of the sponge.
 
I used to use comet cleanser, the strongest I could find. That worked ok but was messy and a pain. Then I found a gray course eraser at a knife shop. It was about a half inch thick, an inch wide and about 3 inches long. Each time I use the sharpener I run that eraser over where I have used the stones and they come very clean. Cost about $5 and I have been using it for years.
 
Arkansas stones and other oil stones - kerosene- starter fluid(ether)-oven cleaner-brake fluid

Ceramic stones(SPYDERCO) WATER+CLEANSER-BRISTLE BRUSH INSERTED INTO A HAND DRILL AND HAVE AT IT! OR A BRILLO PAD WORKS GOOD ALSO.

Waterstones - place under running water and scrub with a nylon pad to clean them or rub two waterstones together under running water.
 
For quick cleaning on my small ceramic hones I use a generic "rust eraser" I picked up at a gunshow a while back. This leaves some gritty material from the eraser behind, but that just dusts off with a paper towel or your finger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top