Hey guys. Quick question for you all. I've had a little smiths 4 inch diamond sharpener and it's been great. I can easily get a nice sharp edge on my pocket knives. I just keep it in the car and use it when I need to. My question is can these diamond sharpeners go bad or wear out? I can't get anything sharp now! Haha. I'm doing the same technique I was before and nothing. What's the deal?!
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Sharpening questions
- Thread starter JustinP
- Start date
Eventually the adhesive will give up and you will start losing your abrasive.
However, unless this thing has had a LOT of use then I doubt that is the case. Run it under the water in the sink and give it a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush. My guess is it just clogged. I usually clean my stones after a few sharpenings.
However, unless this thing has had a LOT of use then I doubt that is the case. Run it under the water in the sink and give it a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush. My guess is it just clogged. I usually clean my stones after a few sharpenings.
I have not used a sharpie since I was new at the whole sharpening thing. I guess I should try it again. It's just that I could always get a very nice edge and it seems like out of nowhere it just isn't happening anymore. Maybe it is me. And I have tried scrubbing it. I used a washcloth and a dish scrubber thing. Nothing. It's very possible it could be user error. Haha.
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Yep, that could be it.
Also already mentioned, the diamonds are 'glued' on and, over time, get knocked off. Depending on the quality of the product and how hard you've been scrubbing, you may indeed have knocked off a lot, enough to make it ineffective.
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I recently realized that diamond plates can also glaze somewhat - some of the removed steel can become pasted to the diamonds.
A light rubbing with a fine silicon carbide stone in all directions with some water or oil, followed by a good wipe-down and rinse can do wonders if this is the problem.
A light rubbing with a fine silicon carbide stone in all directions with some water or oil, followed by a good wipe-down and rinse can do wonders if this is the problem.
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Diamond sharpener likely can "wear out" over a long period of time but more likely is dislodging and fractured diamonds (accelerated from too much pressure). Also, do you get any fresh scratch pattern on the bevel?
So if you don"t have a new/different knife with maybe a different grind and the same technique I guess to try a new/different hone might be indicated to see.
So if you don"t have a new/different knife with maybe a different grind and the same technique I guess to try a new/different hone might be indicated to see.
If you wonder if your diamond stone still cuts, rub it against a glass jar. It should easily scratch the glass.
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The easiest test to see if the sharpener has lost it's grit, is to just scrub a blade on it for a short bit, as if setting a new bevel; then wipe the hone with a clean, moistened towel or paper towel (works well with Windex) and look for the black 'swarf' coming off the hone. It's unlikely the sharpener has literally lost all it's diamond; that's rare and would take an awful lot of use under very heavy pressure.
The more likely scenario:
As Martin (HeavyHanded) mentioned, some diamond hones can clog more easily than others, with the steel from the blade essentially blanketing the surface of the diamond grit. Seems much worse with low-alloy stainless steels in particular (420/440A/kitchen stainless/etc). A good scrubbing with a stiff brush and some Comet/Ajax or Bar Keepers Friend & water will usually clean that up. Bar Keepers Friend is THE BEST at this sort of task, because the oxalic acid in BKF will literally dissolve the steel swarf. Use the BKF powder mixed to a paste consistency with water, and be sure to thoroughly rinse the hone under running water after using it.
David
The more likely scenario:
As Martin (HeavyHanded) mentioned, some diamond hones can clog more easily than others, with the steel from the blade essentially blanketing the surface of the diamond grit. Seems much worse with low-alloy stainless steels in particular (420/440A/kitchen stainless/etc). A good scrubbing with a stiff brush and some Comet/Ajax or Bar Keepers Friend & water will usually clean that up. Bar Keepers Friend is THE BEST at this sort of task, because the oxalic acid in BKF will literally dissolve the steel swarf. Use the BKF powder mixed to a paste consistency with water, and be sure to thoroughly rinse the hone under running water after using it.
David
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You are turning into one serious info resource on BF. Your post could prevent a lot of anxiety on the part of diamond plate owners. Thanks for posting.
Russ