How to clean stones: diamond stones, dry ceramic stones and Japanese wet stones

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evert67

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Oct 22, 2011
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I have been doing some research and have read a lot of articles on cleaning stones. But to be honest, I'm dazzled. I think every type of stone requires their own way of cleaning it, but I am not sure.

Is there anyone who can tell me how diamond stones should be cleaned, how ceramic stones should be cleaned ( I read a lot of different opinions) and how Japanese waterstones (I have two Chosera stones) should be cleaned?

And how often should these stones be cleaned? I read posts from people that hardly clean their diamond stones, but there are also people that clean them after every sharpening session. And it seems ceramic stones require alot more cleaning than diamond stones. But then again, I am not sure.

Can anyone help me? Thanks!
 
Diamond stones don't really need cleaning as far as I know. Ceramic, Comet, Bar Keepers Friend etc. Probably the easiest to clean.

Water stones, there are different schools of thought on this, some say to dress them with diamond plates, others say against another stone.

How often, well for synthetic and natural stone, keep them clean, don't let the swarf dry on them.

Diamond, really no idea.

Ceramic, whenever you think it's getting loaded, it's probably the easiest one to clean.
 
Diamond: Dish detergent (Ivory/Dawn/etc) and hot water after each use. If they're really dirty, Comet/Ajax & water, scrubbed with a toothbrush (this is DMT's recommendation).
Ceramic: Same as for diamond as described above, and for really stubborn cleaning jobs, Bar Keepers Friend & water (mixed to a paste), scrub with a Scotch-Brite or toothbrush.

I won't comment on the water stones (haven't used them).
 
Diamond and ceramic: barkeepersfriend

Waterstones: nagura stone
 
I have a couple of those eraser blocks, but haven't used them in a long time. They do a pretty good job scrubbing the metal off ceramic, but they also slough off a lot of 'eraser dust' (particles from the eraser). Not a big deal, but can be a little messy. They could be handy in 'the field', so to speak, to drop in a pocket for use when needed. They also work for scrubbing rust off of blades, though they will scratch the steel; avoid that if you don't want the scratches. Since I've been in the habit of using dish soap & hot water to scrub my ceramic and diamond hones after each sharpening session, I haven't felt the need to use the erasers anymore.
 
I've found erasers to be sub par for the task of cleaning ceramics, I clean my ceramic every 2 or 3 times I use it. Much cleaner, much faster.
 
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