Thread: DMT Question

My personal preference, is to use an 8" for lapping and 6" for honing. I like the 6X2 better for my hand-held honing habits.
That said: it is not entirely impossible to lap on 6". Flatness will still be accurate enough for honing razors. But it's not as convenient.
I have alway lapped on the DMT variant with the holes. (325 mesh)
I guess continuously or with holes, they both do a fine job for lapping.
One properly broken in, the holes don't interfere with honing a razor either.

Bart.

Originally Posted by Buckler

Thanks for that. But arnt the continuous diamond plates supposed to be superior?
As opposed to these ones with the holes in them?

IIRC, DMT says the polka-dot hones are more aggressive than the plates. I haven't noticed any practical difference, and I have 7 polka-dots and 4 plates. I haven't hung any sharp points or spikes in the dots (see avatar).

Just break the diamond hones in before doing serious sharpening work.

Originally Posted by Sticky

IIRC, DMT says the polka-dot hones are more aggressive than the plates. I haven't noticed any practical difference, and I have 7 polka-dots and 4 plates. I haven't hung any sharp points or spikes in the dots (see avatar).

Just break the diamond hones in before doing serious sharpening work.

Now comes the next question....
How do you break one in, i was ready to go nuts on my water stones, and now im scared stiff that im going to rub my dimonds out. Of course i know its ok with the C. One guy mentioned kitchen kinfe with slurry. Is that what you do? It sounds like a good idea.

Cheers

+B

I use a piece of hardened steel. Usually either a piece of tool steel or the flat body of a chain breaker. A chisel body is another good piece to use, anything hard and close to flat is good. Use lots of water and fairly light pressure. I usually give it 30 to 45 minutes of all-over coverage. If it still feels too rough, give it another 30 minutes or more.

Sharpening kitchen knives is good too. I haven't personally tried it with slurry yet.

Any one else got a good way to break in a DMT hone? What about the F & E would using a big piece of metal on one of these be ok?

Also what do you guys use your C on? I know the norton 4k is ok. But does any one lap a norton 1k or equivilant with a C(325)? My question is how low would you go with lapping using the C?

Cheers

+Buckler

Another vote for 8". Bigger is better in this case.

You can lap your whetstones on the diamond plates. You can also sharpen your kitchen or regular knives. You have to have regular knives...don't you? :P

Originally Posted by Bart

My personal preference, is to use an 8" for lapping and 6" for honing. I like the 6X2 better for my hand-held honing habits.

Same here. I have a DMT8EE, and when I do use it, boy does my left arm hurt.

Do they make the 10" by 4" one in the continuous? I found a 11 1/2" by 2 1/2', too, in the continuous.

Originally Posted by crazycliff200843

Do they make the 10" by 4" one in the continuous? I found a 11 1/2" by 2 1/2', too, in the continuous.

DMT Dia-Sharp 10x4x3/8 in. Diamond Plates