Do Ceramic Sticks Need Cleaning?

E

E.K.Tryon

Joined
Aug 25, 2010
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I have the Smith's three-in-one sharpening system. I mostly use the ceramic sticks and they are getting pretty black from touching up the edges of my knives. Should they be cleaned? Do they "load up" like a stone? If yes, what do I use to clean them?

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They sure do need cleaning. I use an old toothbrush and comet to remove the residue.
There's a product called Magic Eraser that also works quite well.
 
in a pinch you can use any abrasive type cleanser. i'm going to check into the magic eraser for the ceramic stick i carry in the truck.
 
The finer ceramic seems to clog up much quicker than the med grit. I clean them almost everytime i do a full sharpening. maybe not for a touch up, but a guy can tell a real difference from a clean rod and a dirty one.
 
I generally do this, in the order determined by how much cleaning is needed:

1. Light cleaning - can be done with dish soap & water, and a paper towel. If I clean them after each sharpening, this is generally as much as is needed.

2. A little dirtier - some Comet powder and a ScotchBrite pad to scrub it.

3. Very dirty/embedded with a lot of swarf - Bar Keeper's Friend (used as a paste, mixed with water). Scrub with a Scotch Brite pad. Rinse thoroughly. The oxalic acid in the Bar Keeper's Friend powder will be VERY effective at removing the metal from ceramic stones. Will leave them looking almost new again. Just be sure to follow the instructions, as it can be harmful to some other materials.

You can also use various different 'erasers' (pencil eraser, so-called 'Rust Eraser', etc.) to rub off much of the dirty stuff as you work. If you keep up with it, this can be surprisingly effective.
 
Okay - I have a question on these types of sharpeners:

I have the sharpener shown in the OP, bought from a Goodwill thrift store a couple of years ago. Does the orange diamond part wear out? Also, how do you clean that part? The one I have works okay, except for a small chip in one rod. However, it seems that over the last few months, it doesn't sharpen as effectively.

So, clean it? (The diamond part, I mean.) And if so, how? same method as the rods? Or buy a new one?

Thanks!

~Chris
 
orca8589 said:
Okay - I have a question on these types of sharpeners:

I have the sharpener shown in the OP, bought from a Goodwill thrift store a couple of years ago. Does the orange diamond part wear out? Also, how do you clean that part? The one I have works okay, except for a small chip in one rod. However, it seems that over the last few months, it doesn't sharpen as effectively.

So, clean it? (The diamond part, I mean.) And if so, how? same method as the rods? Or buy a new one?

Thanks!

~Chris
Click to expand...

Dish soap & water, Comet, Bar Keeper's Friend, all are effective. Maybe a toothbrush, or similar scrubbing device too. Same cautions apply when using the Bar Keeper's Friend. The diamond sharpeners are generally easier to clean up anyway. I've never used anything more than dish soap & water for mine (after EACH sharpening session).

If yours doesn't seem as effective anymore, it may be due to some of the diamonds being scrubbed off the substrate with use. Especially if heavy pressure is used when sharpening, this can damage diamond hones quickly. If cleaning it doesn't improve effectiveness, you might consider replacing it.
 
My sharpmaker ceramics had stopped biting IMO. Cleaned them up just last night with Dawn and scotchbrite (didn't have any comet or I would have used that). Considerable improvement in sharpening. I use the white stones 99% of the time.
 
I've tried both Comet and the magic eraser, both work great. ME works better on soap scum in the shower, IMO... :D
 
richard j said:
in a pinch you can use any abrasive type cleanser. i'm going to check into the magic eraser for the ceramic stick i carry in the truck.
Click to expand...

Richard, those white nylon erasers work just as well as the Magic Eraser-type products, and they can be found at almost any office supply store for a fraction of the price. For that price you can buy a whole bunch and keep 'em everywhere -- truck, camping gear, kitchen, etc.
 
hunter s thompson said:
I put my ceramics in the dishwasher. They come out clean with absolutely no work at all.
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:thumbup:
Works good if they aren't too dirty. If I let them get bad then out comes the Comet.
My wife is a Dental Hygienist and they use Spyderco fine stones for all of their sharpening. To clean them they use the ultrasonic bath until they are bad then out comes the Comet.
 
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