Cleaning Spyderco's Ceramic Sharpening Stones?

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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We've had this thread in the past but it has been a while since we've discussed the topic. So I was wondering if there might be any new products that some of you may have discovered that might work better than the products mentioned in the past? For quite some time now I've mainly used the powdered "Bar Keeper's Friend" cleanser to do most of the cleaning I do on my Spyderco ceramic sharpening stones. Now for really clogged up stones I will sometimes soak them overnight in various cleaning chemicals and dish soaps to loosen up the filings before I use the Bar Keeper's Friend.

But over the past 2 to 3 years I've heard of other cleaning methods mentioned in different places. I've also heard of many different methods as well like using ink erasers and gum type artist's erasers with decent results. In the past 3 years I've been doing a primary scrub with either Comet or Ajax just to get the worst of the filings removed and it seems like I don't have to use nearly as much Bar Keeper's Friend cleanser that way.

I've also heard other guys brag on Mr. Clean Magic Erasers but I personally have not had very good luck trying them at all. But I've heard several of you swear by them>> maybe I'm not using the correct method? Also if you guys are soaking them overnight before implementing your main cleaning job you might share that with us too. OK let's talk about how we all clean our Spyderco ceramic sharpening stones?
 
I find that comet and the green scotch pads work very well with lots of scrubbing. I tried the magic eraser and had no luck as well.
 
JD Spydo said:
We've had this thread in the past but it has been a while since we've discussed the topic. So I was wondering if there might be any new products that some of you may have discovered that might work better than the products mentioned in the past? For quite some time now I've mainly used the powdered "Bar Keeper's Friend" cleanser to do most of the cleaning I do on my Spyderco ceramic sharpening stones. Now for really clogged up stones I will sometimes soak them overnight in various cleaning chemicals and dish soaps to loosen up the filings before I use the Bar Keeper's Friend.

But over the past 2 to 3 years I've heard of other cleaning methods mentioned in different places. I've also heard of many different methods as well like using ink erasers and gum type artist's erasers with decent results. In the past 3 years I've been doing a primary scrub with either Comet or Ajax just to get the worst of the filings removed and it seems like I don't have to use nearly as much Bar Keeper's Friend cleanser that way.

I've also heard other guys brag on Mr. Clean Magic Erasers but I personally have not had very good luck trying them at all. But I've heard several of you swear by them>> maybe I'm not using the correct method? Also if you guys are soaking them overnight before implementing your main cleaning job you might share that with us too. OK let's talk about how we all clean our Spyderco ceramic sharpening stones?
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I have been using mr clean magic eraser with good results.

I think it was a dumb move though because I saw an image of the Spyderco rods under a microscope and rather than raised grit “mountains” like on sandpaper or diamond stones it was a largely flat surface with a bunch of holes in it that looked like they had fairly sharp rims. Kind of like open manholes. I probably filled them with magic eraser.

Then again I guess if the little bits of magic eraser get stuck in there than so would the steel particiles. So hopefully they fall out.
 
Knarls said:
I find that comet and the green scotch pads work very well with lots of scrubbing. I tried the magic eraser and had no luck as well.
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Really? Magic eraser It gets mine looking brand new but i worry about it clogging the “pores” that give the abrasion property to the surface.
 
I’ve tried magic eraser, Comet, and Ajax cleansers. They all seem to work to some degree. I find BKF easier to use and I stick with that.
 
While a Comet type cleanser & Mr clean eraser work well the best stone cleaning product I’ve found is Sinple Green Soap for all & any stones. The stuff in the squirt bottles. Squirt the be Jesus’s outta the stone/ Ceramic and as the grit floats out wipe it clean with a old T- Shirt or even paper towels.
 
I have cleaned mine for years with Ajax and a scotchbrite scourer in warm water.

Simple but it works.
 
I just give mine a good rub with my hands under warm water, clean enough for me..
 
Lapedog said:
Really? Magic eraser It gets mine looking brand new but i worry about it clogging the “pores” that give the abrasion property to the surface.
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Do you just use the magic eraser dry and just scrub? That’s what I tried maybe I was using the wrong technique?
 
Knarls said:
Do you just use the magic eraser dry and just scrub? That’s what I tried maybe I was using the wrong technique?
Click to expand...

No, you have to get it wet. I’m pretty sure it never will work dry.

Sort of like a sponge. You have to run it under water, squeeze excess water from it, and use while still damp.
 
dc50 said:
I was afraid to put mine in the dishwasher, :thumbsup::DI guess its safe then.
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A dishwasher wouldn't hurt any ceramic sharpening stone. Unless you would have them banging each other during the cycle. But if you have them carefully laid out no automatic dishwasher will hurt sharpening stones.

However cleaning most stones requires an intense scrubbing action to really remove metal filings.
 
dandan said:
I have cleaned mine for years with Ajax and a scotchbrite scourer in warm water.

Simple but it works.
Click to expand...
The Ajax will get the worst of the filings removed. However I've found that the acidic action of the Bar Keeper's Friend better to completely remove the filings embedded in ceramic stones. On really dirty and clogged up stones I do use Ajax or Comet first before I use the Bar Keeper's Friend cleanser. It seems like one scrubbing with Ajax or Comet does significantly help to make the BKF to do it's work better.

On another Forum I had one guy swear that he uses a commercial grade oven cleaner>> I'm a bit afraid of that because of the extremely caustic, corrosive chemicals that are in most oven cleaners. I would not want to damage the grit/surface on the stones using too harsh of a chemical. I wonder if any of you guys have had any experience using something like an oven cleaner to clean ceramic stones with?
 
I just use a Staedtler Mars plastic eraser or a kneaded rubber eraser. They're about $1 at art supply and office stores.
Just erase the metal like it's pencil marks.
I can keep the eraser with the kit and clean the stones with no fuss.
 
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For my benchstones I use Comet cleaner and a green Scothbrite pad. Seems to do a pretty good job. I don’t use them very much anymore since getting a Worksharp belt sharpener.

I guess I am lazy.
 
My wife always has BKF around, so that & a Scotchbrite pad is all I've ever used.
 
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