Thread: Dmt 1200 for setting bevel

Originally Posted by kevint

I think they do get smoother, My 400 is way more aggressive than my old 120.

I think the diamonds cleave, not only leave. So after so much use they are not as sharp nor as large.

This is the main reason I don't like diamond plates for sharpening. When using 1000 5k 8k, I want to know that it will be the same today and tomorrow

I agree. As I said, I feel their are better choices out there. they're great for hone lapping...

Have you tried looking at the surfaces of the plates under the microscope, Sham? It might be useful to see if the two look similar, and also if there is a big difference between the center or the 1200 and the lesser used parts of the plate like the corners.

When I first started using my 1200 for setting bevels I found it micro chipped some blades. On those I went to the Shapton 1k. Others were alright. Than , as I posted in another thread, I used the 1200 to lap some hones. I noticed the telltale gray/black residue on my Norton 4k so I was taking some of the 1200 with it.

After that I stopped lapping hones with it and continued using it as a bevel setter. It still works good with that and no micro chipping so apparently lapping broke it in just right. That is the way it seems to me anyhow. I have a DMT 8000 that I only have used on really tough steels such as S30V , ATS 34 and the TI Damascus. I haven't used it enough to compare it to the 1200 but I will take a look at both under the 30x and report back when I get home from work.

Got home and took a look under the 30x stereoscope. The 8000 is little used and is still shiny. The 1200 is well used and has some bits ripped out of the diamond and nickel plating. No doubt from the lapping. Still works as a bevel setter so I caught it in time. I checked my 325 and it looks fine and I have lapped many hones with it. Always under running water so I guess that helps. Sorry I can't help you with the difference between yours Sham.

Originally Posted by kevint

I think they do get smoother, My 400 is way more aggressive than my old 120.

this is what i am noticing and thought a lot more people will have similar issues.

Originally Posted by kevint

I think they do get smoother, My 400 is way more aggressive than my old 120.

I think the diamonds cleave, not only leave. So after so much use they are not as sharp nor as large.

This is the main reason I don't like diamond plates for sharpening. When using 1000 5k 8k, I want to know that it will be the same today and tomorrow

Originally Posted by RayG

Have you tried looking at the surfaces of the plates under the microscope, Sham? It might be useful to see if the two look similar, and also if there is a big difference between the center or the 1200 and the lesser used parts of the plate like the corners.

Ray i haven't check them under them microscope but i have used 1200 so much i know it doesn't act same as early . now a lot slower and i have checked the bevel it gives now almost same as 8000 dmt.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Got home and took a look under the 30x stereoscope. The 8000 is little used and is still shiny. The 1200 is well used and has some bits ripped out of the diamond and nickel plating. No doubt from the lapping. Still works as a bevel setter so I caught it in time. I checked my 325 and it looks fine and I have lapped many hones with it. Always under running water so I guess that helps. Sorry I can't help you with the difference between yours Sham.

Jimmy i just thought a lot more people will complain may be they will later on. i have at least sharpen 200 razor on 1200 and now it is in this condition. i hope this thread will help rest to decide what to buy.
i think dmt works great early on but later it doesn't keep that quality.?

I noticed something similar with my plates, I just attributed it to the increased use of my 1200 vs the 8k.

Even diamonds wear down, eventually.

I read somewhere (either on this forum or the knife forums) that the diamonds were embedded/secured to the plates with only about 1/3 of the material sticking out. Once the points of the diamonds begin to wear, they become wider and lose their aggressiveness, some fall out. I believe the DMT uses mono crystalline, which stays secured to the plates better and work more efficiently than the cheaper poly crystalline.

Even my Shapton DGLP and DRLP have worn down. I have a DGLP that is about 3 years old which I have to put about all of my weight on when lapping. I still works, but it is not like when it was new, which required absolutley no pressure.

All my DMTs have become somewhat finer with use.

The gap between my 1200 and 8k hones (several of each in different sizes) is still fairly wide; but I use them about equally. I sharpen far more knives and wood tools than razors.