Polishing phosphor bronze washers

[Psychopomp]

I'm in a spring cleaning mood and that means going through the knife drawer and cleaning, oiling and sharpening whatever needs it.

I've run across a few of my knives with PB washers that are in need of a good cleaning. What's the best way to go about this? My only concern really is bending and warping them.

Would lightly running them over the flat one of the fine Sharpmaker rods work? What about Brasso? Or should I just stick with good old polishing compound on some hard cardboard?

Thanks.

 

[george tichbourne]

A light sandiing would both clean them and give them a little bit of texture to help hold lubricant. A high polished surface would not hold lubricant on the surface too well.

George

 

[Whitedog]

If you are going to sand them you can put them on a very fine benchstone.
Just use finger tip pressure and you should not have to worry about bending them. Personally I use Flitz polish, it is not abrasive. Just clean them up and a light film of oil.