Sal, have you ever tested stainless steel knives in the dishwasher?

[Johnnie1801]

Just wondering if Spyderco have ever tested stainless steels in the dishwasher. Personally I have been lazy with my kitchen knives in the past (45CrMov14), and just put them in the dishwasher instead of cleaning them by hand. I noticed over time that the satin knives became very dull looking and that the laser engravings have almost disappeared. I do live in an area with very hard water but my suspicion is that it's caused by the concentrated dishwasher tablets. I also had some pitting on one of knives on one occasion. I no longer put my knives in the dishwasher and always clean them by hand and they seem better, although the damage has already been done.

Maybe there should be a sentence in each product guide stating something to the effect "dishwasher use is at your own risk"?

[Cujobob]

The dishwasher detergent is the most harmful aspect of cleaning them with that method.

[bearfacedkiller]

The detergent is the main issue. It is very caustic. You are asking a machine to clean your dishes without actually even touching them. That takes hot water, decent water pressure and some chemicals. I have always been told that dishwasher detergent is so corrosive that it can actually dull your edges through corrosion. This all leaves out the fact that things have a tendency to get knocked around and bang into each other in there which isn't ideal for cutlery. Many people use the drying feature as well and while it shouldn't get hot enough to ruin temper in there when using that feature I wouldn't risk it. If anything the heat will just accelerate the effects of the detergent. I know that when my dishes get done drying that they are too hot to touch. I am an energy conscious person so I dry mine by hand but it is something to think about.

[bouhunter]

My Dragonfly Salt went through the washing machine last week. Still clipped to the pocket when the wife went to hang the shorts on the clothesline :) It was nice and clean!

[aquaman67]

My Dragonfly Salt went through the washing machine last week. Still clipped to the pocket when the wife went to hang the shorts on the clothesline :) It was nice and clean!

That method works well for iPhones too.

[jimmyjohnjohn]

When I called the Spyderco warranty folks about my Manix 2, the woman told me that the easiest way to clean a lot of grit and sand in the lock and pivot was to put it in the dishwasher washing machine in your pants pocket. So they have faith in it. I've never needed to do that, but it's good to know that I can.

[PayneTrain]

Yeah, I would still use it only as a last resort. There are a few things I won't put in the dishwasher, mainly knives and pint glasses. Knives for the above stated reasons, and pint glasses cuz it wears the markings off and clouds the glass. It's a pretty harsh environment in there.

[Evil D]

I just use a sponge and some Dawn and literally just wipe the sides of the blade off and then wipe it dry. I think it would take more effort for me to load the dishwasher.

[Sharp Guy]

I just use a sponge and some Dawn and literally just wipe the sides of the blade off and then wipe it dry. I think it would take more effort for me to load the dishwasher.

Me too! A little dish soap on a brush or wash rag, a good rinse, and dry and it's good to go!

[Doc Dan]

Palmolive, not Dawn. Dawn is too harsh on my delicate little hands.

[Sharp Guy]

Palmolive, not Dawn. Dawn is too harsh on my delicate little hands.

Ha! "You know you're soaking in it?" :)

[toomzz]

Palmolive, not Dawn. Dawn is too harsh on my delicate little hands.

LOL!!!

No knife in the dishwasher. Especially fixed blade with expoxied (wood) handles. The hot water and chemicals deteriate the epoxy bonding (and the wood) and all above mentioned unwanted effects.

Hot water, old toothbrush and liquid soap, whatever available.....

[bdblue]

Might be harsh on the steel but will be even worse on the handles. And the knives can bounce around and mess up the edges.

[Evil D]

I wonder how a pressure washer would do? Nothing crazy like 1600psi but some reasonably pressurized water sprayed into the pivot should clean out anything that running water can't.

[jimmyjohnjohn]

I just edited my reply. It was two years ago, but I think she told me the clothes washer was safe, in a pants pocket. Not the dishwasher. I think that is correct.

[MadmanR1]

The wife is of the opinion that anything that can't survive a trip through the dishwasher doesn't belong in a kitchen. She's destroyed tons of plastic stuff with this philosophy. Anything marked "not safe for dishwasher" gets used once and put to the test. I finally have her leaving my kitchen knives alone....she won't wash them but she doesn't put them in the dishwasher either and that's fine with me. After all these years of training I'll be dammed if I let her see me put a folder in there even if it works fantastically and is personally recommended by Sal Glesser.

[bazfum]

I've run BD1 and H1 through the dishwasher with no issues. Not sure I'd try with anything else though. 8cr didn't like it as much...