Help cleaning knife handles

[Kim Shook]

I have a couple of these ceramic knives:

...that large one and a small paring size one.  I don't use them a lot, but for certain applications they are great - green onions, for instance, which I hate to slice if I'm not using the ceramic knife.  Anyway, over the years, the handle (which started out with a sort of rubbery - but not flexible - feeling) developed a kind of gummy residue that makes holding it unpleasant.  Kind of a stickiness in places on the handle.  I've tried everything I can think of including all kinds of detergents, alcohol, applying oil, a baking soda paste, etc.  Does anyone have any ideas?  I actually tossed an umbrella awhile back that had a similar handle that I couldn't get cleaned.  I'd like to keep my knife.  Thanks!  

[Tropicalsenior]

I have a slicer and a sharpening stick that have the same type of handle. Mine also has little grooves in it. When mine get sticky, I use Bar Keepers Friend and a nail brush. Takes care of them for about 6 months and then I have to do it over again.

[Porthos]

I was having trouble with a couple of handles like that.  I have switched to Cascade Premium Plus pods for my dishwasher.  I ran them through the dishwasher and it completely cleaned them up.

[Alex]

Goo Gone?

[BeeZee]

I think that "gumminess" is the rubbery material breaking down, not actually residue (and harsh solvents might make it worse). I had something I threw out recently due to a similar issue.

[Laurentius]

I think your handles fall under the general heading of "rubber overlay".  There are different rubber compounds used, with different recommendations made for cleaning.  For example, one compound, Santoprene, is actually degraded by alcohol.

 

I once had a Kershaw overmolded knife, which got and stayed annoyingly sticky, no matter what.  Certain VW dashboards suffer the same fate.

 

Good luck.

Edited October 5, 2023 by Laurentius (log)

[Katie Meadow]

@Kim ShookWhat brand ceramic knife is it? I have used Kyocera paring knives for years and I've never had a handle go gooey on me. The handles are not rubbery in any way, so maybe Kyocera are made of different material than some other types. And when I say knives I mean several replacement knives of the same size. Even though I don't use the ceramic knife for most tasks, over time they do chip and they do get dull. They can be sharpened, but that costs more than the price of one small knife. 

[Maison Rustique]

It happened to my Ray Bans and I was told it breaks down over time and you just need to toss them. They were probably 30 years old, so I guess I can't complain.

[palo]

@Maison Rustique

Happened to me as well, mine were only about 5 years old and it was because of "Deet" insect spray - it actually ate into the frames

 

p

[JoNorvelleWalker]

On 10/5/2023 at 1:04 PM, Katie Meadow said:

@Kim ShookWhat brand ceramic knife is it? I have used Kyocera paring knives for years and I've never had a handle go gooey on me. The handles are not rubbery in any way, so maybe Kyocera are made of different material than some other types. And when I say knives I mean several replacement knives of the same size. Even though I don't use the ceramic knife for most tasks, over time they do chip and they do get dull. They can be sharpened, but that costs more than the price of one small knife. 

 

The handle of my Kyocera ceramic knife is rosewood.  It does not feel sticky or rubbery.

 

[Kim Shook]

On 10/5/2023 at 1:04 PM, Katie Meadow said:

@Kim ShookWhat brand ceramic knife is it? I have used Kyocera paring knives for years and I've never had a handle go gooey on me. The handles are not rubbery in any way, so maybe Kyocera are made of different material than some other types. And when I say knives I mean several replacement knives of the same size. Even though I don't use the ceramic knife for most tasks, over time they do chip and they do get dull. They can be sharpened, but that costs more than the price of one small knife. 

They are "Silvermark" brand.  I can find them on Amazon, but they are currently unavailable.  Mr. Kim bought those for me many years ago.  And, except for the stickiness, they are holding up amazingly well, for a cheap knife.  

On 10/6/2023 at 8:48 AM, Maison Rustique said:

It happened to my Ray Bans and I was told it breaks down over time and you just need to toss them. They were probably 30 years old, so I guess I can't complain.

Yeah.  I think you and the others who said this are probably right.