Cleaning The Sharpmaker Rods

Lenny · Apr 9, 2004

I've owned the Spyderco Sharpmaker for many years.
Whenever I saw the carbon build up on the white stones, I would pull out the cleanser and scrub them and the grey stones down with a wet sponge.
I was always able to get my blades sharp with the rods, but never "scary sharp".
Recently, I've begun cleaning the stones with an eraser due to someone's comment here I think. It's a much cleaner and faster process.
WOW! What a difference. Now I can really feel the stones cutting metal. And that "scary sharp" edge is a piece of cake to get.
Wish I would've learned this trick years ago.
Any comments?
Lenny

Morgoth412 · Apr 9, 2004

Thanks Lenny! I'm going to try this next time my sharpmaker gets too much metal build up.

-Kevin

cmd · Apr 9, 2004

Thank you from me, also.

My sharpmaker arrived today and after trying it out with a few cheapies I cleaned it and started on a couple of my better knives.

As you said, after cleaning the buildup comes back to the point of needing some cleaning quickly. Luckily there are three edges and three sides but it did require cleaning after each knife.

So, I started to search this very topic and found this thread right near the top - bingo.

I went back and put an eraser to the sticks and I'm getting very good results. Not sure the differences between shaving sharp and what lies beyond, though, but as long as I can get easily to shaving sharp I'm happy.

Thanks again!

Chris

severtecher · Apr 9, 2004

I clean mine in an ultrasonic cleaner. 15 to 20 minutes and a few strokes with a Scotchbrite pad and they are cleeeeean.

PhilL · Apr 9, 2004

I used to use Soft & Scrub to clean the rods, but a couple of months ago I got a Rust Eraser from AG Russell. Works great.

fret · Apr 9, 2004

I've always used scouring powder to clean my rods. I too thought that the soap just made them a little cleaner but not clean. I never really felt the rods cutting the metal blade. The rods were probably just straightening the edges. Thanks for the tip.

knifenerd · Apr 10, 2004

I've used a cleanser like Ajax, etc. and a Scotch-Brite pad and have had excellent results.

cmd · Apr 10, 2004

knifenerd said:
I've used a cleanser like Ajax, etc. and a Scotch-Brite pad and have had excellent results.

You are probably right about this - do as Sal recommends - because I did not have a Scotch-Brite (or similar) pad or Ajax (or similar) so I used soap and a sponge in warm water. I have a dishwasher but did not want to wait to get to the next knife.

I have yet to find a blade that the sharpmaker can to sharpen very well, very quickly.

Chris