cleaning sharpmaker

[LONE WOLF]

Is there any fast and less messy way to clean my sharpmaker stones?
Currently I use a rag and Old Dutch powdered cleaner. it works, but is a pain because I sharpen in my room and have to go down stairs to clean them often.

[JD Spydo]

I am afraid I don't have the news you want to hear. But I have found that if I give my 204 Sharpmaker a thorough cleaning it works very well. I first take the stones and soak them in hot dish washing solution ( Dawn). Then I take the stones with a stiff bristle scrub brush and really scrub them with a very coarse/harsh cleanser Like Ajax/Comet. Then I rinse them thoroughly and I take another cleanser called Bar Keeper's Friend and then take a soft bristle toothbrush and scrub them very well. They come out looking like brand new. I am not saying that my way is the only way but I have found that a thorough cleaning does make the unit work very well. However keep in mind: I only find it necessary to do this about once a month

I too want to hear more suggestions. So bring them on :D

[Stuart Ackerman]

Lansky make a 600 grit rubber eraser, grey or green in colour, just for cleaning ceramic rods...

[LONE WOLF]

is it okay to use a clean pencil eraser?

[Balazs]

I use pencil eraser, and it works fine.

[dePaul]

3M ScotchBrite and dishwasher detergent works for me :)

~Paul~

[JDEE]

Similar to JD Spydo but what I have done is buy an extra pair of the coarse rods so I always have a clean pair ready to go.

[dialex]

I second the pencil eraser or rubber idea. It works fine for me.

[Senate]

water and hand soap...

[KeithM]

Comet on a wet sponge.

You might want to consider moving your sharpening operation to the kitchen. I recall reading on one of the forums that the Sharpmaker was designed to be used at the height of the average kitchen counter. Having tried it on various tables I agree the kitchen counter is an ideal height, and it provides instant access for cleaning the rods.

[mrd74]

I "dry clean" mine with an eraser after each use which removes the majority of the metal.When I want to really clean them I use an SOS pad which does an excellent job but I can't figure out why the metal wire in the pad doesn't embed metal into the rods,all I know is it works. :confused:

[mikewww]

Some erasers have a soft half for pencil and a hard half for ink erasing. I found the hard side to work well, but the Lansky eraser is better - also, no wet work in cleaning the stones.

Mike

[Easyrider]

Comet cleaner and a green scotchbrite pad used here.

[greencobra]

I'm sorry, I didn't read the whole thread but is there a point that one would get to where the stones would be ruined? Is too much cleaning as bad as not cleaning?

[GarageBoy]

White plastic eraser

[Joe Talmadge]

Steel wool pads work better than plastic-type pads like Scotchbrite. I know that doesn't make sense, it seems like the steel wool should get "sharpened" and re-clog the stones. But, as long as the steel wool is charged with detergent -- ala SOS pads -- it's the fastest way to clean the stones that I've found.

[Stuart Ackerman]

I'm sorry, I didn't read the whole thread but is there a point that one would get to where the stones would be ruined? Is too much cleaning as bad as not cleaning?

I was sharpening a lot of M2 and D2 blades at one time, and the rod seemed to get slicker... I blasted the rod with kiln dried beach sand, very fine, and it made it as good as new.
I suggest that you are very careful if you decide to do this, and if you break the rod, I will not be held responsible :)

[LONE WOLF]

Thats what Ive tried. It seems to do a good job, although I still give it its daily scrubbing. very cool idea. And convenient.

[LONE WOLF]

Steel wool pads work better than plastic-type pads like Scotchbrite. I know that doesn't make sense, it seems like the steel wool should get "sharpened" and re-clog the stones. But, as long as the steel wool is charged with detergent -- ala SOS pads -- it's the fastest way to clean the stones that I've found.

thats what I use for the daily scrubbing.

[Troll]

My Mom is a dentist. So she does them in here machine for me. Come very very clean.