Sharpmaker 204 Ceramic Rod Question

[Gypsy]

This may be a "silly question" but how does one determine if the ceramic (mainly coarser brown) rods are wearing out? Does it wear down like on a Norton stone or does it just stop removing metal from the blade? I must confess that for about the first year or so until I really knew how to use it that I did press pretty hard when sharpening but now know how to do it. I am now wondering if I may have damaged them or shortened their life.

Also one more quick queston: Are the diamond rods used dry like the ceramic or do they need water and how are they cleaned? I just received my today by UPS and there were no instructions.

Thanks to all who respond!!!!

 

[talonturbo]

pressing hard will not damage the rods. if they stop displacing metal simply clean them with some borax. i find i need to do this with the fine (white) ones more often than the coarse.

 

[zer0sig]

they are somewhat unlikely to wear out anytime soon-if they're clean and don't cut, i would talk to spyderco more directly.

when clotted with metal, they will cut less metal, because the hardness is similar.

don't worry about working them a bit hard. just clean them as listed.

the sharpmaker works just fine dry. my sharpmaker came with both a manual and a video laying most of this info out-though i did buy a factory version with the included media.