Cleaning Sharpmaker rods

Rob Babcock

Rob Babcock

Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
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Since the search function deosn't work for us peons, I looked around as best I could but can't find the appropriate thread- how do you guys clean your Spyderco Sharpmaker rods? I've heard the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is supposed to work well, so I bought a package of them today. But I've found a plain ol' pencil eraser does a great job. I've been using a large green Fooey pencil eraser purchases at Lewis Drug and it restores the rods to like-new.

Has anyone compared the Magic Eraser vs pencil eraser vs scouring with Comet? I hate scrubbing with cleaning abrasives to Comet is gonna have to be a lot better to get me to switch from my pencil eraser!:p
 
I find the Magic Eraser doesn't do that well of a job. There are still streaks on the white rods after using them. The best I've used is ceramic cooktop cleaner.
 
Drats! I'm too lazy for that!:D Well, I hadn't cleaned mine in ages, and last nite I went to touch up a chef knife that had gotten a bit dull. The old sharpmaker just wasn't doing anything, 30 strokes and nada. I realized the rods had gotten pretty loaded. So I cleaned 'em up with a big green eraser and voila! 10 more strokes and it was hair popping sharp again.

Today I did a couple more knives and tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I dunno, it seemed to do a pretty good job. I'll admit I've never cleaned 'em up with Ajax, so maybe I've just forgotten how they're supposed to work, it definately seemed to return the Spyderco to full sharpening ability.

I wonder how much I'm "missing" going the lazy route?
 
Comet works great. I also have some Barkeeper's Friend that I use. Both do the job just fine.
 
Magic Eraser works for me. I don't care about getting the rods perfectly clean. I can 'feel' when the Sharpmaker is doing its job properly, and that's good enuf.

Richard
 
I started with BarKeeper's friend, but now alternate between using a "rust eraser" and a generic magic eraser. The "rust eraser" is an eraser that has abrasives in it and works quicker; for me; than reguar erasers.

The problem with the scouring cleansers is the added mess and drying time compared to the mess of rust erasers or drying time of magic erasers even though the scouring cleansers tend to be more thorough.
 
thombrogan said:
I started with BarKeeper's friend, but now alternate between using a "rust eraser" and a generic magic eraser. The "rust eraser" is an eraser that has abrasives in it and works quicker; for me; than reguar erasers.

The problem with the scouring cleansers is the added mess and drying time compared to the mess of rust erasers or drying time of magic erasers even though the scouring cleansers tend to be more thorough.
Click to expand...

What he said. I use whatever is closest at the time, the rust eraser or the magic eraser. Both work very well without a mess or a lot of drying time (I use the Spyderco benchstones mainly).

Mike
 
Since all of you seem to have a sharpmaker, does anyone have an extra that they would like to get rid of?
Matt B.
 
I think you're going to have to wait for a husband and wife sharpening duo who've grown close enough to stop using his/her Sharpmakers. Serrated edges, nail clippers, and potato peelers keep people from outgrowing the Sharpmaker.
 
Bar Keeper's Friend and 3M Heavy Duty Scrub Pads. I've used other powder cleaners, and I think Bar Keeper's Friend works the best.
 
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