Ceramic Stone ?

[MelNM]

Whats the best way to clean these, I have used dish soap and water, but still can't get all the black off.

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I am having the same problem with arkansas stones! However I got a little off taking a coarse brush and rubbing it with WD-40. It won't take all of it off but will take some off.

Mel, you won't ever get all the black off, so why worry yourself trying? *It won't affect the performance of the stone as long as you get most of the crud off. Try scrubbing with comet cleanser and a toothbrush if you really are concerned...it will take MOST of the stuff off. If you use an abrasive cleanser, though, make sure you rinse it thoroughly and then dry it off before using. Some of these cleansers contain a chlorine bleach, also, and that will speed the rusting of your blades (even stainless) unless it is completely removed and the stone dried.

We seem to be getting a little too concerned with cleaning these things. After all, they are made to do a particular job, not necessarily to look pretty.

Al

Amen!!!

[BasketballJones]

Somebody help me with the wording on this. I read on someones sight that the metal particles in the wetstone method assist in the sharpening process.

Mel,
I have many of these ceramic stones and find that 'Comet' as Al said is the best for cleaning them. I find that the 'Comet' does not hurt the stone at all. As for metal filings helping to sharpen the blade that is a new one to me. I cant see where it would help it any but then I am not a sharpening expert maybe someone could answer that better.
Colin

boy looka dat! Colin is a 5 star general now!

OK, here goes a loose thought......I would guess that the use of the term 'assists in the sharpening process' may infer something entirely different than what has been generally discussed here. As the microscopic particles fill in some of the spaces between the abrasive particles on a stone, the actual edge of the blade will not slide as deep into the gaps, resulting in a SMOOTHER edge than the stone originally produced. This would actually result in a sharper blade right off the stone and require less stropping. More work on the stone, less on the strop......

How's that sound? Sounded reasonable to me.

Still working on why WD-40 and 3-In-one oil are not recommended by Woodcraft..........They are both marketed by the WD-40 company, though and that may provide a clue!

Al

[Captain_Bandaid]

Try an SOS pad on Ceramic Stones. Probably work on any stone, for that matter.