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SPI Diamond Knives

Recommended Maintenance and Storage Procedures


The extremely sharp cutting edge of a diamond knife is very delicate, and can be damaged by contact with any solid object, including the specimen. If possible, cleaning should be done without contacting the knife with any solid object. First, right after sectioning, try spraying with distilled water, using an SPI Two-in-One™ OK Easy Duster, to blow the edge of the knife dry.

If sections or debris have dried on the edge, then soaking in water containing a few drops of mild liquid detergent, followed by blowing dry, with an SPI Two-in-One™ OK Easy Duster, may help. Solutions of up to 25% of either isopropyl alcohol or acetone in water may also be used. Agitating the cleaning solution is helpful, but an ultrasonic cleaner should not be used, because the cavitation forces that make the cleaner work have been known to crack microchips out of the delicate cutting edge. What should be used is an SPI Diamond Knife Cleaner.

If the cutting edge, and only as a last resort, must be touched to remove debris or sections, we recommend that only SPI #099901-AB "Pith" or SPI #099902-AB Diamond Knife Cleaning Sticks be used. This type of cleaning will hasten the time when resharpening is required, so it should be done only when absolutely necessary. Acids, ammonia or strong chemicals should not be used to clean the knife; they probably won't hurt the knife itself, but they may attack the boat.


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Tuesday February 09, 2010
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