Originally Posted by
Bruno
It is a common misconception, but diamond plates do not hone faster than synthetic hones.
Quite the contrary actually.
A 1K norton for example has a very high surface density of abrasive material, and when honing, some will come loose and act as a slurry.
A diamond plate has a lower density of abrasive material, and when it is broken in, none of it comes loose to form a slurry.
The one thing that diamond plates have going for them is that they stay flat forever, and don't wear down when used properly.
If you want real speed, the best thing (imho) is to take something like a norton 1K, and then use a DMT to raise a slurry with a lot of abrasive material, and then hone on that 1K stone while leaving the slurry on top of the surface. It will remove metal very fast. Still, 'fast' is a relative term, and above 61 HRc, it would be more appropriate to use terms like 'less slow' :)