What material is used to wipe clean the knife edge and silicone gasket after performing the chalk test?

• A. Water
• B. Rag/ cloth
• C. Alcohol
• D. Sandpaper

Answer: (B)

Cleaning after the chalk test requires a soft, non-abrasive wipe to remove chalk dust and any fine residue without scratching the knife edge or damaging the silicone gasket. A rag or cloth fits this need perfectly because it is gentle on delicate surfaces while effectively picking up powder and debris. Using a rag keeps the surfaces clean and dry, which is important for accurately inspecting the joint on the next step. Water can smear chalk and introduce moisture, which isn’t ideal for dry inspection, and alcohol, while a solvent, can affect gasket materials or leave residues. Sandpaper would obviously gouge or abrade the edge and gasket.