How to Clean a Sharpening Stone

Learn how to clean and take care of your sharpening stone for generations of use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• soapy water
• nylon or plastic scrubber
• scouring powder
• paint thinner

1. To clean your natural sharpening stone, use warm soapy water and a nylon or plastic scrubber after each use. The keeps the pores free of stone and metal bits.

2. To clean a ceramic sharpening stone, use scouring powder to remove gray metal stain.

3. If soapy water fails to remove build up from a neglected sharpening stone, clean it with paint thinner for oil-base paint. As soon as the crud lifts, switch to warm soapy water. Paint thinner will destroy the bond that holds many stones together.

Tips & Warnings

• When your sharpening stone is clean and dry, store it in a box to keep dust and dirt from settling in its pores.
• Use water instead of oil to wet your stone when using it: it is much easier to keep clean!
• If you must use paint thinner, use it in an open area with plenty of ventilation and never leave your sharpening stone to soak in the chemical. Your objective is to scrub the crud off and get it into soapy water to keep the thinner from destroying the "glue" that holds your stone together.