Thread: Cleaning a Hone

I have read somewhere how to clean an old dirty hone and can not find it. Could someone help me with how to clean a dirty /oily hone?
Thanks for any help.
Rick

Usually lapping cleans them best.
Oven cleaner works fine for the oils.

i have bolied mine in water then scrubed them with comet and they cleaned up fine

Now that oven cleaner was mentioned it rung a bell.

I bought an old hone off the bay, it is 2 X 7.5 inches. Not sure how thick due to it being glued in an old box, close to 1 inch. It has a brown or tan color under the dirt. I will try to get a couple pictures attached for you to see.

Rick

I restore a few hones every week. One of the greatest surprises I ever had was when a totally black, grimy stone I got an eBay for $12 turned out to be a beautiful yellow-green escher with the emphasis on the yellow! You never know what you're going to find under that patina of grime.

I put the stones in the sink and spray on Easy Off Fume Free (blue can: cheaper at Lowe's than Wal-Mart). I let them stand for a few minutes and then brush with a plastic dish brush under running water. Do both sides and the sides and ends of the stone. Repeat if necessary.

I don't like to lap grimy stones with my D8C as it gums them up and then I've got another problem!

I don't know about the boiling water routine. if there are any cracks in the stone (and there usually are even if tiny) the sudden temperature change could increase the size of the cracks.

Only to Say, B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T!!!!!!!!!!!

At present I am battling with one too. Originaly I thought it was a Wa****a but now I am not shure. First I flattened it that got a bit of grime of and my patience was tested (it is hard stone). Then few times sweat it in the oven wrapped in toilet tissue to suck off as much as possible slowly increasing and decreasing the temperature. Then tried various degreasers with a brush but with not much progress. There is still left a stain and I did not want to keep lapping as it would be a weist.

I have been out of town for a few days. Tomorrow I plan to clean the hone as described above. I need to pry it out of the box first.

One thing I noted was its weight. Compared to the Chinese 12K it is light. It is a very fine texture, hopefully a good razor hone. Tomorrow we will see!

Thanks again,
Rick