Originally Posted by
joke1176
I have a DMT 1200, a DMT 8k, and various other hones... I hear a lot of variability regarding those DMT plates, some think the edge is fine, others say they tear up blades (especially before they are broken in).
They don't need to be lapped, since they are a thin film of media embedded on a steel plate. Lapping is only for hones with dished surfaces, and that removes media until it's level. Not possible with a DMT, man.
My DMT's were pretty rough at first, but I lightly lapped a few hones, and did a few razors, and they calmed down quite a bit.
Personally, I have no problems going from the 1200 to the 8000 grit range, with any setup.
Shoot, I have gone from the 1200 to finish honing without too many problems, it just took a little longer (but not much longer than using the 8k in between):shrug:
I think you could do just fine with the 8k to pasted paddle routine. I would recommend the 1200 to pasted paddle routine though, you can get more mileage from that 1200 for restoring, and with light passes you can refresh a dull razor REALLY FAST.
Of course, I started with the same ideas as you, and now I have a whole mess of hones.