How to clean up old ceramic sticks?

[DocGP]

I have an old set of ceramic sharpening sticks that are solid silver from years of sharpening. Any way to unplug the pores or clean them up and get a little more cutting action out of them?

Thanks'
Doc

 

[cbxer55]

There is a type of metal eraser you can get.
I have seen them in A.G. Russell catalogs.
I'll try and find a link and post it as an edit.

Here ya go

 

[2brothers]

A scrubby sponge with soap and water.

mike

 

[cbxer55]

That does not work as well as the metal erasers.
Been there done that. I have one of these erasers
and have used it for over 10 years, still works great.
Returns the rods to their white or gray color quickly.

 

[Phil Elmore]

I've had really good luck with those plastic scrubber pads you can buy for doing dishes -- they're like a blob of abrasive plastic netting, you know? That, dish soap, and water scrapes the metal particles off fairly well.

 

[archieblue]

I use Comet cleaner or another abrasive one with fine pummace in it... works well!

 

[keithcarter]

That foaming cleanser seems to get under the particles and lift them up so a finger can wipe them away.

 

[Seanski]

I posted a similar question somewhere I think on "how often" they should be cleaned.
I know I use comet and a scrubbie and it works very well with little effort.

 

[Mark J]

There is a type of metal eraser you can get.
I have seen them in A.G. Russell catalogs.
I'll try and find a link and post it as an edit.

Here ya go

+1 I've tried the scrubbing pads, comet, sponges, etc., but this puppy beats them hands down. One of my best investments.

- Mark

 

[Skimo]

I use Comet cleaner or another abrasive one with fine pummace in it... works well!

+1

comet and a brilla pad work wonders.

 

[tinwiskers]

There is a type of metal eraser you can get.
I have seen them in A.G. Russell catalogs.
I'll try and find a link and post it as an edit.

Here ya go

+1 I've tried the scrubbing pads, comet, sponges, etc., but this puppy beats them hands down. One of my best investments.

- Mark

I have used Comet and Scotch Brite pads to clean the sharpening rods for years and they do an ok job, but I will have to try out these 'rust erasers'! Thanks

 

[harkamus]

There is a type of metal eraser you can get.
I have seen them in A.G. Russell catalogs.
I'll try and find a link and post it as an edit.

Here ya go

That...looks like a sanding sponge.

 

[cbxer55]

That...looks like a sanding sponge.

Maybe they are?
I have used the same one on the same set of sticks since, oh around 1994.
The coarse ones are still gray, the fine ones white. They still do a nice job
sharpening, and the rust eraser still removes the gunk, even after 15 years.
If it is a sponge, could a fooled me. They are not the least bit flexible.

 

[monsterdog]

I just use the rough end of a regular pencil/pen eraser, seems to work on my alumina ceramic stones/rods quite well and fast. I clean them after every couple of uses this way.

 

[pedicabdriver]

I use an old toothbrush and some comet.

 

[akadave2]

Scotch Brite pad loaded with Comet. Works great!

 

[Stainz]

Spyderco Sharpmaker instructions state their ceramic files are cleanable in a dishwasher, autoclave, or by hand - with Comet and a scrubby. I've done it - works pretty well.

Stainz

 

[hushnel]

Scotch Brite pad loaded with Comet. Works great!

+1
I have a couple of the rust erasers, never thought of using them though.

 

[knarfeng]

I prefer Bon Ami to Comet

But cleanser on a scotchbrite pad works pretty good for me.

 

[akadave2]

I prefer Bon Ami to Comet

But cleanser on a scotchbrite pad works pretty good for me.

Yeah, pretty much any abrasive cleanser that you like.