Lt. I know you're not advocating that someone who may want to buy a Shapton for the first time, maybe a 16K, must buy the GDLP (as an aside: I always refer to this plate as the GDLP rather than the DGLP only because the box its packaged in clearly states: "Glass Diamond Lapping Plate".
Attachment 15990
But, tomato "tomahto".
It's a well designed lapping plate and it works like a charm. However, my biggest concern here, and Kaptain Zero shares it, is that
no one should be under the impression that a person needs the GDLP to lap the Shapton stones effectively. That's simply not true. Actually, I'm rather liking "topping off" my higher grit Shaptons with the DMT D8F 600 grit plate. It gives my 16K an even smoooooother feel than a 325 grit plate.
I would not discourage anyone from buying the GDLP. The fact is though, it's pricey. For about $15 more, a person can buy all six DMT 8" plates from 120 grit all the way up to their 8000 grit plate. That puts it in a bit more perspective for the budget minded.
I thought my GDLP worked beautifully in lapping my natural higher grit stones until my GDLP petered out on my for whatever reason. So I think at this point, and due mainly to my experience, the GDLP is being stressed by Shapton dealers as being used with Shaptons only.
Lt, these guys will tell you, there probably has not been a more outspoken proponent for the GDLP than myself even prior to when Shapton was an established and often owned product among our members (I certainly wasn't close to being a pioneer with the Shapton stones since a core group of members has had Shapton stones for quite a long time). For awhile, I was even on the ".001 flatness with your DMT plates? Ha, my .5 micron flatness and I both spit on you!". Ok, ok, maybe I wasn't THAT bad or, thankfully, I kept those thoughts at that time to myself.;)
I'll reiterate my biggest point here is the Shaptons can be lapped perfectly fine with the DMT D8C for those that would like to try a Shapton stone now. The GDLP is not a necessary component. Convenient, easy to use, well designed and a great all around performer? Certainly. But not essential.
Finally, I do find that lapping my Shaptons from 500 grit to 4000 grit prior to using them seems to make for better honing, more feedback. But I find that 6k, 8k, 16k work well without pre-lapping before each session. Especially the 16K. 20-50 laps on the 16K for an edge that's seen months of use without the 16K being lapped prior to use and ZINGO that edge is buttery smooth, sharp and ready for shave after comfortable shave again. Just my personal experience.
Chris L