Steel dust on ceramic rods?

J

JahRo225

Joined
Jul 6, 2011
Messages
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Does the steel dust have any effect on how well ceramic rods will sharpen a knife? I usually wipe off the majority of the steel with a normal pencil eraser, but does it actually effect the contact of the steel? Thanks!
 
I normally use a green scotch-brite pad and detergent to get that steel off. I notice that not removing it makes my sharpening less effective.
 
Yup, the rods slowly load up with swarf and do not cut as well. When mine start getting cruddy, I just scrub them off in the sink with a washcloth and some Barkeeper's Friend. They come out looking like new, at least the ones on my Sharpmaker do.
 
JahRo225 said:
Does the steel dust have any effect on how well ceramic rods will sharpen a knife? I usually wipe off the majority of the steel with a normal pencil eraser, but does it actually effect the contact of the steel? Thanks!
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The more of it there is on the rods, the more it'll degrade their performance. I clean 'em in one of three ways, depending upon how dirty they are:

1. Lightly dirty (such as after one sharpening session): some dish soap & water, scrub with a sponge/paper towel/ScotchBrite pad.
2. A little dirtier: Comet/Ajax powder, with water; scrub with a ScotchBrite pad.
3. VERY dirty: Bar Keepers Friend, with water. Scrub with a ScotchBrite pad. The Bar Keepers Friend powder uses oxalic acid; read & heed the warnings on the container.

I'd strongly recommend method #1, after EACH session. It's a lot easier to keep the rods in good shape this way.
 
Can you use a brillo pad on them? They still have these faded gray stains and it's really grinding my gears... :mad:
 
Actually eraser works wonders. There are even dedicated ones too, but even the standard, pencil erasers work fine. Plus they're more gentle than other abrasive solutions. Plus warm water afterwards.
 
I'd probably not use the brillo pad, or any other metallic scrubber. The ceramic will scrub & collect metal from those, too.

As for the 'abrasives' used in other cleansers (like Comet/Ajax/BKF), they won't be anywhere near abrasive enough to damage the ceramics (which are MUCH HARDER). If the ceramics were prone to being damaged by those cleansers, they also wouldn't hold up to sharpening knife blades.

Edit:
Spyderco specifically recommends using a plastic scouring pad and powdered abrasive cleanser, for cleaning the Sharpmaker rods.
 
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JahRo225 said:
Can you use a brillo pad on them? They still have these faded gray stains and it's really grinding my gears... :mad:
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The Bar Keepers Friend powder, used with water, excels at removing those gray stains. The oxalic acid in it reacts with the embedded steel particles and essentially dissolves them. Really impressive on the white ceramic in particular, it makes it look new again. This is why it's very important to read the cautions on the BKF label, as it can damage certain materials. When used properly and carefully, it does a great job.
 
OwE really isn't kidding there, it's hard to believe how beautifully the rods come out, even if they're really grungy. I generally wet a rag, sprinkle a bit of BKF into the middle of it to make a sort of pile of paste, then scrub the rod with it. Comes out looking literally like new.
 
Komitadjie said:
OwE really isn't kidding there, it's hard to believe how beautifully the rods come out, even if they're really grungy. I generally wet a rag, sprinkle a bit of BKF into the middle of it to make a sort of pile of paste, then scrub the rod with it. Comes out looking literally like new.
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That's pretty much how I've done it, using a wet ScotchBrite pad (green) w/BKF sprinkled on it. Scrub for maybe 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly. Very effective, and quick. Might use some rubber gloves, too. ;)
 
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Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I've never heard of Barkeeper's Friend. Can you buy it in, let's say a Walmart, or any other store? Or is it something you get online? :D
 
I got mine at a local BiMart, but they have it at Walmart as well. It's a very common (and highly effective) cleanser.
 
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